Odds to win the 2010 MLB National League Central Division
Chicago Cubs +175
Cincinnati Reds +825
Houston Astros +1200
Milwaukee Brewers +790
Pittsburgh Pirates +2500
Saint Louis Cardinals -150
The St. Louis Cardinals will be going for their 2nd straight Nation League Central Division title this upcoming season, and realistically they should not find too much trouble along the way. The other teams in their division (Cubs, Brewers, Astros, Pirates, and Reds) are at least one step back from where the Cardinals are. This St. Louis Cardinals team may be one of the most complete teams in all of Major League Baseball, led by two dynamite starting pitchers who finished 2nd and 3rd in the National League Cy Young voting in 2009. Chris Carpenter (17-4, 2.24 ERA in 2009 {Best ERA in the National League in '09}) and Adam Wainwright (19-8, 2.63 ERA in 2009) will be looking to at least match what they were able to do last season, the scary thought is they may be able to surpass what they did last season. The best move that the Cardinals made in the off-season was retaining Matt Holliday. The Cardinals offense sputtered out of the gate last season until Matt Holliday joined the club, and now they get to have the services of Holliday for the entire season! Not only are the Cardinals a very complete team, but they are very well balanced. They have great offensive players backed by terrific pitching and superb defense and as they showed last season they are very dangerous at home and on the road (Home Wins: 46 Away Wins: 45 in 2009).In 2010 the 3 time National League MVP ALbert Pujols will be gunning for a milestone, as he goes for 400 career home runs. He currently has 366 HRs and has been able to hit at least 34 HRs every season with the exception of 2007. When he passes this milestone this season he will be only the 5th player all-time to eclipse the 400 HR mark before he turns 31. He will be joining a prestigious group that boasts the names of Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey Jr., Mickey Mantle, and Jimmie Foxx. Retaining Matt Holliday will serve crucial in the quest as he provides great protection for Albert Pujols.
Make no bones about it, this Cardinals team not only has strong starting pitching but a great bullpen as well that will act as a safety net in close late games. This Cardinals pitching staff managed the 4th best ERA in the majors in '09 with a 3.66 and ranked 12th in the majors in '09 in saves with 43. The only question mark in the pitching staff may actually be their All-Star closer Ryan Franklin who has to redeem himself from a not so stellar end to the '09 season. However, I believe that Franklin will rebound nicely. Franklin and the entire pitching staff including the addition of Brad Penny in the off-season will make the Cardinals a huge threat to not only win the National League Central Division title, but possibly the National League Pennant as well.
Free Blog Pick: St. Louis Cardinals -150 (To win the National League Central Division).
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