National League Central Handicapping / Gambling Futures
Hard to believe that the Boys of Summer are almost back. Ready to start baseball betting? Teams have reported to 2010 Major League Baseball training camps and it’s time to start our division by division MLB predictions previews for the year.
VIEW OUR MLB CAPPERS LEADERBOARD FOR 2009 – PICKS PACKS FOR 2010 ON SALE NOW! —–>
NL Central
In baseball’s most populous division, there always seems to be a bundle of haves and a bundle of have-nots. This season appears like it won’t be an anomaly. St. Louis and Chicago look strong at the top, but the Brewers, Reds and Astros have some questions. The Pittsburgh Pirates are lucky they have such a beautiful stadium so they can sell an occasional ticket.
National League – Odds TO WIN 2010 MLB NATIONAL League Central
CHICAGO CUBS +165
CINCINNATI REDS +980
HOUSTON ASTROS +1190
MILWAUKEE BREWERS +780
PITTSBURGH PIRATES +2500
SAINT LOUIS CARDINALS -150
St. Louis Cardinals Prediction: 1st NL Central
The Gateway to the West is also the gateway to the league’s crown jewel: 1B Albert Pujols. Baseball fans have come to expect an MVP-like season from Pujols consistently and 2010 shouldn’t disappoint. The pitching duo of Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter, provided they both stay healthy, is phenomenal. Ryan Franklin is a great closer and the corner outfield positions are locked down with Matt Holliday and Ryan Ludwick. Cardinals fans are some of the best in the business and it’s a good thing the team rewards them often.
Chicago Cubs Prediction: 2nd NL Central
Will the dreaded Curse finally be eradicated in 2010? Maybe, but probably not. The pitching is strong as usual for the Cubbies; the top four of Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster and Randy Wells is a treat for any pitching coach. Offensively, the Cubs need the standard triumvirate of 1B Derrek Lee, OF Alfonso Soriano and 3B Aramis Ramirez to carry the load. Catcher Geovany Soto had a miserable 2009, he must revert to his ’08 form. The bullpen is another strong point for the Cubbies, but we’ll see if they can put it all together and win the division. I’m a tad skeptical.
Cincinnati Reds Prediction: 3rd NL Central
The men that represent the right side of the baseball diamond defensively for the Reds also represent them well at the plate: 1B Joey Votto, free-swinging 2B Brandon Phillips and RF Jay Bruce. Veterans Scott Rolen at third and Orlando Cabrera at short will bring defense and timely hitting to the table. Everyone is eager to see Cuban defect Aroldis Chapman and his 100+ mph fastball in action. Do all these pieces add up to viable competition for the Cards and Cubs? The Reds haven’t shown us yet that it does, and I need to see it to believe it.
Milwaukee Brewers Prediction: 4th NL Central
The Brew Crew has done a great job in developing franchise bedrock in Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun. There are other contributors with the bat: RF Corey Hart, three-bagger Casey McGehee (beautiful baseball name, as an aside). However, the pitching staff isn’t overwhelming, the bullpen has plenty of veterans – but veterans don’t always translate to success. If the Brewers could pitch like the Cubs, they’d be a scary playoff team. They can’t.
Houston Astros Prediction: 5th NL Central
The Astros want to celebrate their 45th season with something better than mediocrity, but it’s probably mediocrity they’ll see. This team must be reliant on youth, save greybeard mashing 1B Lance Berkman and LF Carlos Lee. Top-of-the-rotation starter Roy Oswalt isn’t what he was a few seasons ago and closer candidate Matt Lindstrom has plenty of gas, but still had a fat 5.89 ERA in ’09. Despite intriguing mixes of speed and firepower in the batting order, there isn’t enough pitching in Houston to keep up.
Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction: 6th NL Central
If anyone gets their hands on the DeLorean, can we please wind back to 1992 and snag Barry Bonds? Please? What a waste of beautiful uniforms, a beautiful stadium and storied tradition (though the storybooks have some dust on them at this point).
Who wins the NL Central in 2010? Do you think you know? Spring Training is here folks, time to lay a bet on 2010 MLB Future Odds. Click Here NOW to Bet on the NL Central at Bookmaker.com
