NL Central Division Preview: Can Anyone Beat the Cardinals?

The sportsbook experts are hard at work finalizing the March madness betting as the tournament heads towards the Final Four. Major League Baseball is playing spring training games and speculation is running rampant about who will win the NL Central division. This looks to be a year for the birds in the NL Central, but there may be some bears and beer brewers that could cause problems.

St. Louis Cardinals (15 to 4 to win division)

It is almost impossible to pick against the Cardinals to win the NL Central in 2010. Even though the Cardinals lost some quality players such as Rick Ankiel and Troy Glaus, they have depth in their farm system that can help to replace those players. The Cardinals did retain power-hitter Matt Holliday who had 109 RBIs in 2009 and a .313 average. The departure of Mark DeRosa leaves a hole at third base that the Cardinals may fill by bringing back Felipe Lopez. Third base may be the only defensive area the Cardinals will have problems. It is not out of the question that the Cardinals try some prospects at third base, and they may even be open to a trade if they can avoid giving up the core of their team.

The starting pitching in St. Louis is solid with Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter offering a one-two Cy Young punch. The bullpen is a bit suspect but the Cardinals may not be done upgrading talent in the pen.

Milwaukee Brewers (22 to 1 to win division)

When the Internet super casino betters look at the NL Central there are only two choices for who will finish second behind St. Louis; the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers.

While all of the March madness betting was going on the Brewers brought in new pitching coach Rick Peterson because it was pitching that did the Brewers in last season. The Brewer’s team ERA in 2009 was second to last, and the bullpen could not hold a game throughout the entire season. New additions like Randy Wolf to the starting rotation will improve the Brewer’s pitching, and with Prince Fielder leading the third most potent offense in the National League the Brewers could make trouble for the Cardinals.

Chicago Cubs (6 to 1 to win division)

Something always goes wrong for the Cubs. Whether it is Kerry Woods’ constantly injured arm or Sammy Sosa and his corked bats, it just seems that bad luck finds the Cubs.

On the mound the Cubs still have ace starter Carlos Zambrano to lead a strong rotation but closer Carlos Marmol is unproven. Ryan Dempster and Randy Wells make a strong trio with Zambrano in the starting rotation, but the Cubs lack a consistent fourth and fifth.

The Cubs have the power and speed to score runs, but they have question marks that could derail them.

Houston Astros (30 to 1 to win division)

The Astros made a real go at the pennant with Roger Clemens and Andy Petttte a few years ago, but since those days there has been trouble on the mound and very little power at the plate to compensate for the weak arms.

Players like Roy Oswalt and Carlos Lee will keep the Astros interesting in 2010, but they are far from being a contender.

Cincinnati Reds (40 to 1 to win division)

The Reds are at least trying. They added a lot of new talent last season from their farm system and brought in pitcher Aroldis Chapman to help the starting rotation. The Cuban-born pitcher got big money for joining the Reds and he will earn it, but it will not be enough to pull the Reds into contention.

Pittsburgh Pirates (75 to 1 to win division)

The Pirates have been re-building for years, and 2010 will be another season of untried rookies and second year players like Garrett Jones who came up from the minors to have a decent season. But the Pirates never seem to address their lack of power at the plate and their weak starting rotation. This season holds as much promise as last season for Pirate fans.