In many parts of country, another long winter just won’t end. With the cold and snow, you like all your neighbors and co-workers have had more than enough. One very good sign of future weather changing events is the calendar has turned over to March, which means spring training baseball is in session and the colder days will be fewer and further between. Most teams also do either radio or television broadcasts from Arizona or Florida, creating an even greater fever pitch for spring to arrive.Though baseball bettors pale in comparison to football brethren, there are many who enjoy the day to day grind of trying to beat the oddsmaker and relish the chance to go at it every day. Before you can get to that point, taking stock and studying futures odds gives you a good feel for each team. Here is the list of the most recent odds to win the National League pennant, with the American League arriving next week. (Odds found at various sportsbooks)
Arizona Diamondbacks +650
Arizona has assembled a fine collection of talent, which though still young, should start to produce more consistent results with the experience they have acquired the last few seasons. Brandon Webb and Dan Haren comprise potentially the best one-two punch in baseball at the top of the rotation and if hitters quit trying to jack everything out of the park and hit for better average, no reason the Diamondbacks shouldn’t win the NL West and be solid wager to be in contention for NL crown.
Atlanta Braves +1000
The Atlanta Braves lost 90 games last season and are trying to work back towards contention in unorthodox ways. Derek Lowe has 106 wins since 2002 (tied for third in baseball) and is now the ace of the Atlanta staff. Kenshin Kawakami is a former Japanese Central League MVP and will be called upon to shore up starting pitching. Offensively, outfielder Jeff Francoeur must recover after below average year or too much of the responsibility falls to Chipper Jones, who turns 37 in April and hasn’t played 140 games a year in five seasons.
Chicago Cubs +275
Betting on the Cubs to have another excellent regular season should not be an issue; it’s the postseason that causes fans of Cubbie blue their greatest concern. With no obvious needs in the batting order and in the rotation, how Carlos Marmol holds up as the closer will be watched closely. That is not to say they don’t have other question marks like Kosuke Fukudome and Milton Bradley, however Lou Pinella and Cubs will be judged by how they perform in October, should they get there.
Cincinnati Reds +1600
The old guard is gone and the youngsters have taken over in the Queen City. If Cincinnati fans are skeptical, it’s understandable after eight consecutive losing seasons. If Aaron Harang returns to normal and Edinson Volquez , Johnny Cueto and Micah Owings continue to mature as starters, this club could be surprise in the NL Central.
Colorado Rockies +2500
Did the Colorado Rockies really make it to the World Series in 2007 or was that a mirage? This Denver club was sizzling for about six weeks at the end of that season and returned to being Colorado last year with 74 wins. Manager Clint Hurdle, who is in the final year of contract, has stopped short of saying players were complacent after Fall Classic appearance, yet you have to ask, how can a team that has accomplished almost nothing be complacent? The Rocks are picked fourth in the West which seems about right.
Florida Marlins +3000
Just think if Florida fans actually gave two cents about their baseball team and the Marlins ownership has enough money to keep talented players. Another year of purging players scheduled to make a few extra bucks, only has allowed the seemingly endless supply of talented players coming up through the farm system to make the big club, without much a drop in the standings. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez is the franchise player and his supporting cast is pretty solid. The rotation looks better than most in the National League and closer Matt Lindstrom can bring the heat as fast as summer day in Miami.
Houston Astros +4000
A few preseason magazines have Houston rated as high as third in the Central Division, but oddsmakers are not buying it. Any pitching staff that has Mike Hampton on it can’t be considered a threat and if a baseball team is supposed to be strong up the middle, than how do the Astros deserve any consideration?
Los Angeles Dodgers +800
The Dodgers are still a slightly above average ball club even if Manny Ramirez does decide to sign with the club. Manager Joe Torre watched his club mature late in the season and the best thing they have going again this season is playing in the NL West. If outfielder Juan Pierre can draw more walks and shortstop Rafael Furcal can stay healthy, L.A. can place pressure on opposing defenses and the middle of the order will see more fastballs. Pitcher Chad Billingsley is off 16-win season, but is the 24-year old really ready to be anchor of staff?
Milwaukee Brewers +1700
Off a 90-win season, there should be a lot of excitement surrounding the Milwaukee Brewers right? Instead the Brew Crew is shrouded in relative obscurity. The starting rotation is fair, but who is the bell-cow that can stop a losing streak? If the last place San Diego Padres weren’t willing to pay closer Trevor Hoffman in a big ballpark, how does he figure to do in Milwaukee? The Brewers have plenty of free swingers, too many in fact that hurts offense. Oddsmakers number tells the story of this club for 2009.
New York Mets +275
New York occupies new surroundings at Citi (bailout) Field and believes they have the right combination in the bullpen to overcome what have been serious woes the last couple of seasons. Francisco (K-Rod) Rodriguez brings his 62 saves from a year ago to the Big Apple and J.J. Putz could be the most intimidating setup man in baseball. The everyday lineup still have flaws, but as long as Jose Reyes, David Wright and Carlos Beltran continue to perform, the Mets are legit choice to potentially be NL champs, if they don’t fold in September again.
Philadelphia Phillies +550
It has to drive Mets fans crazy that Philadelphia has sped by them twice and are the defending World Series champions. The game of baseball has changed in trying to pick a World Series contender. Today, keep yourself on the fringes of contention and make September push. The Phillies were 24-6 in last 30 games including post-season and return the nucleus of team that was underrated a season ago. They were second in runs scored and had best bullpen ERA in the National League, plus best stolen base percentage in the majors (84.5 percent on 161 attempts). No reason to believe they shouldn’t be contender again, especially knowing they can bypass New York.
Pittsburgh Pirates +5000
Have to give the Pirates credit; they are consistent, having tied the Phillies record (1933-48) of ineptitude, with 16th straight losing season. 2009 looks like a slam dunk to break the record, as Pittsburgh has little or no farm system to speak of and trades best players for hopefully potential young players that could turn franchise around. It’s not working!
San Diego Padres +4000
Divorce can be messy and nowhere is that more evident than in San Diego. Owner John Moores is trying to comply with California laws of community property, with his soon to be former wife Becky and the Padres are caught in the middle. Jake Peavy will be the opening day starter for San Diego, but don’t expect him to be in Padres uniform by the All-Star break. This cash-strapped organization has many players who may or may not have major league ability, nevertheless will get a shot because of troubles.
San Francisco Giants +1200
The Giants number appears to be too low considering the everyday lineup in less than intimidating. What excites most followers is the pitching staff potential in a weak division. San Francisco has the current Cy Young winner in Tim Lincecum, who won’t be 25-years old until almost mid-season. Matt Cain’s record would improve with run support and general manager Brian Sabean views the Randy Johnson signing as two fold solution. Hopefully, he can help straighten out fellow lefty Barry Zito and Johnson should enjoy spacious area from left-center to right-center.
St. Louis Cardinals +1200
St. Louis won 86 games last season despite having no bullpen to speak of and a frequently patchwork rotation. Though some of the issues that derailed the Cardinals last year still exist, at least answers are possible. Chris Carpenter is the trump card manager Tony LaRussa needs for starting staff. It would be terrific if Carpenter returned to Cy Young form, however having him as reliable No. 2 or 3 starter would not be bad alternative. La Russa also hopes to find the right combination at short and second and have Rick Ankiel play centerfield all year. If closer Chris Perez emerges, could challenge rival Cubs for first place in division.
Washington Nationals +5000
So much for a new ballpark helping Washington out after winning a grand total of 59 games last season. Injuries played a part in the 14-game decline, nonetheless, the Nationals are a long way from entertaining ideas of being .500 club and a new general manager will have to hired after Jim Bowden resigned amid a cloud of suspicion, sending the team in a new direction yet again.
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