In MLB betting, Prince Fielder embodies the Milwaukee Brewers. He’s big, strong, and loveable, and the Milwaukee team, full of young sluggers, gives us the same feeling. But no amount of cuddliness can change the fact that the Brewers will take a step back in 2009. When you subtract CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets from a playoff team’s rotation and replace them with no one, there’s no way you’ll win 90 games again.
The Chicago Cubs‘ “curse” has been running strong for just over 100 years now, and fans and bettors alike are anxious to know if this is finally the season they break the jinx. Sportsbook oddsmakers certainly seem to think they have a shot.
At +450, Cubs odds to win the World Series are telling. Chicago rolled up an impressive 97 wins last year, tops in the National League and tied for second in all of baseball.
In MLB betting, the American League and National League are different beasts. Whereas the Red Sox and Yankees are shoe-ins to contend every year, the NL’s divisional and MLB Wild-Card playoff picture varies wildly. Remember when the Rockies made the World Series in 2007, then went 74-88 the last year?
Looking at the National league’s baseball betting odds this season, you have to wonder…could the Big Red Machine be on the way back to glory?
Sure, the Cubs are unparalleled, but the next rung in the crowded NL Central is up for grabs. The Brewers may regress, the Cards should improve, and the Reds may sneak past both of them if everything goes right at the sportsbook. Even with the loss of Adam Dunn, they’ll score plenty of runs and their starting pitching may finally measure up to the young bats.
The Houston Astros were an MLB betting surprise in 2008, staying afloat in the tough NL Central division and winning 86 games. Even though 86 wins doesn’t scream “playoff contender,” I still think that total was a fluke. The Astros are thin on talent, particularly in the pitching department, and they’ll be hard pressed to match last season’s online betting “success.”
Pittsburgh-area fans have been spoiled over the past few years, what with the collective success of the Steelers, Penguins and Panthers. Apparently, somebody forgot to send the memo to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and it looks like another long season in Steeltown for this baseball club.
Mets hoping bolstered bullpen gets them over the hump – At first glance, the New York Mets enjoyed a respectable season, winning 89 games and featuring a number of players that put on impressive seasons. In reality, it was another wildly disappointing year in New York. The Mets were met with yet another September swoon, dashing their postseason hopes despite a strong start to the season.
In MLB betting, the type of champion varies from year to year. Sometimes we see a dominant franchise rule the roost wire to wire and take the World Series odds; the 2007 Boston Red Sox come to mind. Sometimes we see good but not great teams overcome their flaws to play their best baseball in October and win it all. The 2006 St. Louis Cardinals come to mind, and so do the 2008 Phillies.
Atlanta used to be an MLB betting certainty to win the National League East, as it took the division 11 straight years. After three years of third and fourth-place finishes, the Braves have reloaded and are looking to challenge New York and Philadelphia in the East.
The Braves scored 770 runs last year, and they got rid of slugger Mark Teixeira late in the season, which definitely hurt their offense.
We know what to expect entering 2009 MLB betting for the NL East. The Marlins are in the middle of their typical five-year cycle: dismantle World Champion roster, acquire boatloads of prospects, slowly develop them, become competitive, sign a couple free agents for playoff push, win World Series, rinse and repeat.
While MLB betting fans will never mistake the Washington Nationals for the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays or even the 2009 Kansas City Royals, things may finally be looking ever-so-slightly up for them this season. While only a die-hard online sports betting player knows anything about their obscure pitching staff, it definitely looks like this team will hit in 2009. Think of them as the Baltimore Orioles of the NL East.
Few MLB odds competitors have had easier rides over the last five years than the Los Angeles Angels. Consistently fielding strong, well-rounded teams and sharing a division with weak competition have translated into four AL West titles in the last five years. Though the Angels made a few changes in the offseason, they remain strong in virtually every area, so there’s no reason for online sports betting fans to expect anything less than continued success in 2009.
In MLB betting, general managers don’t come much crazier than Billy Beane. The man who popularized Moneyball was thinking outside the box again this offseason, but not in his usual sense. Sure, he grabbed another handful of on-base machines from free agency, but they weren’t they typical no-name guys whose peripheral stats suggested breakouts.
Same old, Same old. MLB betting fans shake their heads when they look at the Texas Rangers‘ 2009 roster. Nothing has changed in Arlington since the days when a certain former U.S. President owned them. Bandbox ballpark, powerful hitters, and a completely empty cupboard in the pitching department.
How do the Mariners’ MLB odds look for 2009?
Next question, please. Uh, hey, how about that Ken Griffey Jr.? Pretty cool to have him back home, huh?
Sorry for changing the subject, but it’s difficult to discuss the Mariners’ chances in MLB betting without a barf bag present.
After they lost Johan Santana via free agency and then Francis Liriano to injury, not many people thought the Minnesota Twins would be competing for a playoff spot in 2008. But the Twins persevered and finished just one game back of the White Sox.
