Odds to Win the 2009 National League Pennant
Taking stock and studying futures odds gives you a good feel for each team and Sportsbook.com has your odds to win the 2009 National League Pennant.
"Major League baseball futures are among the most popular to bet on," states Don Shapiro of Gambling911.com. "Over the years we have witnessed teams pay out in excess of $100,000 (Florida Marlins) when bets are placed early on in the season. In the case of the Marlins, bet placed beyond mid-season actually still paid out over $100,000."
Odds to win the 2009 National League Pennant had the Chicago Cubs as the early favorites, paying nearly $300 for every $100 bet at Sportsbook.com.
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, there's 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 Click Here to Start Betting Now
Betting on the Cubs to have another excellent regular season should not be an issue; it's the postseason that causes issues. With no obvious needs in the batting order and in the rotation, it's the relief pitching that needs watching. 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 +1800
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 +3000
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 a team that has accomplished almost nothing can be complacent? The Rocks are picked fourth in the West which seems about right.
Florida Marlins +1800
Just think how good this team would be if Florida fans actually gave two cents about their baseball team and the Marlins ownership had enough money to keep talented players. Another year of purging players scheduled to make a few extra bucks 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 +4500
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 +600 Click Here to Start Betting Now
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 coming off a 16-win season, but is the 24 year-old really ready to be anchor of staff?
Milwaukee Brewers +1800
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. Oddsmaker's numbers tell the story of this club for 2009.
New York Mets +275 Click Here to Start Betting Now
New York occupies new surroundings at Citi 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 +700 Click Here to Start Betting Now
It has to drive Mets fans crazy that Philadelphia has sped by them twice in September and are the defending World Series Champions. The Phillies were 24-6 in last 30 games including the postseason and return the nucleus of the 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). There's no reason to believe they shouldn't be a contender again, especially knowing they can bypass New York.
Pittsburgh Pirates +5000
You have to give the Pirates credit; they are consistent, having tied the Phillies record (1933-48) of ineptitude, with a 16th-straight losing season. This year 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 +4500 Click Here to Start Betting Now
Divorces 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 a 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 +1000
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 +4500
So much for a new ballpark helping Washington out as they won 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.
Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
