MLB Odds Futures – National League Central Up For Grabs

With MLB Opening Day just a little over three weeks away, the MLB odds and futures for the National League Central division are stacked close.

MLB Odds Futures – National League Central to Win

• Chicago Cubs +500
• Cincinnati Reds +200
• Houston Astros +2500
• Milwaukee Brewers +200
• Pittsburgh Pirates +4000
• St. Louis Cardinals +275

The preseason front-runners for this division are the Reds and Brewers, with the Cardinals not far behind. Cincinnati won the division last season, finishing five games ahead of St. Louis and fourteen ahead of Milwaukee. Cincinnati qualified for the postseason in 2010 for the first time in fifteen seasons, but went on to be shut out by the Phillies in the National League Division Series.

The Reds look to be a strong contender to win the division again this season, due to their strong nucleus of young players, their solid pitching rotation (though without any ace), and their hitting ability in the clutch.

However, Milwaukee has high hopes for the season after the acquisition of a new pitcher and shortstop during the postseason. But the Brewers’ plan to get Zack Greinke into the starting line-up for Opening Day was foiled when Greinke fractured a rib a few weeks ago. The Brewers’ bullpen struggled mightily in the 2010 season and it was their batting that was their only saving grace, being the only team in the league with three players with over 100+ RBIs (runs batted in). It looks like they may be off to a similar start this season, so take that into consideration in your MLB futures bets.

Behind the bats of Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday, two of the most consistent players in Major League Baseball, this could be the year for St. Louis to get it done. Even Lance Berkman, who was once a star hitter for the Houston Astros, may still have some power left, although aging. The Cardinals will need to assess their abilities early and make the calls to call players up from their farm teams if necessary. In addition, long-time manager Tony LaRussa isn’t afraid to use his bullpen, as evidenced by his use of seven pitchers in a preseason game last week against Houston.

After the top three MLB odds picks for the National League Central, we come to the Chicago Cubs, an ever-popular team, but one that just can’t win when necessary. The Cubs are off to quite a rocky start in the preseason, committing fourteen errors in four games. Not to mention the scuffle (no punches thrown) between pitcher Carlos Silva and Aramis Ramirez after a three-error inning. Apparently, this team is lacking discipline early, and it will be interesting to see if manager Mike Quade can get his team focused.

The Houston Astros and the Pittsburgh Pirates remain in the cellar of the National League Central, as neither team has much hope of playing a part in the division race. Houston will primarily rely on its star pitcher Hunter Pence to get the team some wins, while Pittsburgh is waiting until its first-round draft pick this upcoming summer to see if it can find a spark.

MLB Odds Futures Pick – If the Reds continue where they left off last season, they will be your best MLB futures pick to win the National League Central.