MLB Futures Betting – Re-Evaluating the National League

With nearly a month of baseball action under our belts, it’s time re-evaluate the MLB Futures Betting. After the Phillies, Giants and Braves opened the season as favorites in the National League, let’s look at how things have changed.

Philadelphia Phillies (+115): As much as things change in the MLB Futures Betting, they stay the same. And after nearly 20 games of the regular season, the Philadelphia Phillies are still favorites in the National League.

It’s no secret why, as their pitching has been as good as advertised. Starters Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt each have two wins apiece, with Oswalt and Halladay each throwing three quality starts already this season.

However the surprise has been the offense. Entering Wednesday’s game against Milwaukee, Philadelphia was averaging just under four runs a game, and their team batting average of .276 was fifth in all of baseball. And with second baseman Chase Utley out with injury, first baseman Ryan Howard has stepped up with a team-leading three home runs and 15 RBI.

Colorado Rockies (+400): The team that has made the most surprising move in the MLB Futures Betting has to be the Colorado Rockies. Just a few weeks after being picked behind World Series champion San Francisco in the NL West, they are now second only to Philadelphia as favorites in this league.

The star for Colorado continues to be shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. The superstar shortstop leads all of baseball with seven home runs, while also tallying 14 RBI. Meanwhile, pitcher Jhoulys Chacin has stepped up on the mound for struggling Ubaldo Jimenez, as he has a 3-0 mark, with a 1.64 ERA through three starts.

The only reason to be concerned with Colorado in the MLB Futures Betting, is that they’ve struggled with San Francisco this past week, in back-to-back home losses entering Thursday.

Cincinnati Reds (+700): To those who don’t follow the MLB Futures Betting, they might be surprised to see Cincinnati this high. But for those who follow the sport closely, they’re no surprise at all.

After winning the NL Central last year, the Reds once again have one of the most potent offenses in baseball, leading baseball in runs per game with just under six per game. Currently, first baseman Joey Votto is ripping the cover off the ball with a .407 average, while Jonny Gomes has six home runs and 14 RBI.

San Francisco Giants (+1000): Finally, are you really willing to bet against the defending World Series champions to repeat as NL Pennant winners? We’re not.

As was the case last year, this group will go as far as their pitching will take them, and so far, that pitching has been lights out. Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain each have two wins already, and are sporting sub .200 ERA’s.

At a 10-1 value, why not take the Giants in the MLB Futures Betting?