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2015 NL West Division Odds / MLB Handicapping Season Predictions

Futures Odds to Win the NL West

The 2015 MLB season is here and it is no surprise that the L.A. Dodgers have the best betting odds to win the NL West. They have a loaded squad that made the playoffs last season behind MVP pitcher Clayton Kershaw. They have a ton of money to spend and actually had a good off-season with their acquisitions.

MLB Lines & Matchup Insight

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Odds to Win the NL West

Dodgers -200
Giants +500
DBacks +2000
Padres +350
Rockies +1200

The Padres are the biggest moves with all the moves they made and while the Giants won the World Series last season they are not getting much love from the odds makers. The Rockies and the Diamondbacks may be in for a long season not helping being in a loaded division.

Here is a preview for each NL West teams, and their chances of claiming the division title.

L.A. Dodgers

Season win total: 92

The Dodgers have Kershaw and Zach Greinke as 1-2 starters, which may be the best duo in the Majors. While the Dodgers flamed out to the Cardinals last season in the playoffs if they don’t get back to the post-season it would be a shock.

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They unloaded Matt Kemp and his HUGE contract on the Padres and their offense should be solid again. They picked up Jimmy Rollins and with Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig, and a healthy Carl Crawford the sky is the limit for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers main weakness is the back of their rotation, but they have talent and the offense should be better than last season. Signing Howie Kendrick from the Angels to upgrade at 2nd base was a great move. L.A. has all the tools and they should win the NL West, but can they go all the way? We shall see.

San Diego Padres

Season win total: 84

The Padres made a big off-season splash trading or Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, and Wil Myers, among others, who is one season removed from being the ROY. James Shields was also signing in the off-season and he should lead a solid young staff with the 3 legit starters of Ian Kennedy, Tyson Ross, and Andrew Cashner.

Petco Park in San Diego is not a hitters park, but the offense with Kemp and Upton have to be an improvement upon last season, but they, especially Kemp, have to stay healthy.

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Pitching is the strength for the Padres and if Kemp and company can be just good San Diego has a legit shot to take the division.

San Francisco Giants

Season win total: 82.5

The Giants win the World Series, for the 3rd time in 5 seasons, and only have the 3rd best betting odds in the division. Pablo Sandoval is gone and Hunter Pence is injured to start the season, but San Francisco still has a balanced team that can have THE best staff in baseball if healthy. Matt Cain and Tim Hudson have to stay off the DL and can 5th starter Tim Lincecum regain his form that won him 2 Cy Young awards?

Colorado Rockies

Season win total: 73.5

It is the same old song and dance for the Rockies, who have a legit offense, but a less than stellar pitching staff. When healthy Troy Tulowitzki is one of THE best players in the game and with him and Carlos Gonzalez and Justin Morneau Colorado has a solid offense. Every starter for the Rockies had an ERA north of 4.40 last season and #1, if you can call him that, Jorge De La Rosa will begin the season on the DL.

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The Rockies have the offense and they will have to score a lot of runs to make up for their staff, which may give up a ton.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Season win total: 72

Arizona may have a great offense is Paul Goldschmidt and Mark Trumbo bounce back from injuries, but the team made some questionable off-season moves the starting rotation has some major question marks. Starters Bronson Arroyo and Patrick Corbin are both coming off Tommy John surgery and the rest of the starters are average at best. However, there are a few greag young arms in the organization and do not be surprised to see them sooner rather than later, as it would be a big surprise if Arizona is not far out of the division race by the All Star break.

The play: Dodgers -200

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By Jason Green

Jason Green is back with Cappers Picks again to give out his free sports plays. As always he's hoping the Braves and Redskins can win a championship since their last one in the 90’s was long ago. He’s starting to know the pain of Cubs fans.