It can be difficult to focus on the other teams in the MLB’s National League central division preview when one team won 103 games and finished with the best record in the league. The Cubs are obviously ahead of the curve in terms of talent, continuity, and now, championship experience. The rest of the division are teams searching for an identity. St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, and Cincinnati are all in the process of either developing or acquiring talent. Either way, catching the Cubs is a task that none of them will be equipped for.
Chicago Cubs Chances To Win the World Series
It’s starting to look like most oddsmakers believe so in their MLB betting forecast. The Chicago Cubs preview betting odds lead the field at every sportsbook that already has odds posted. 5Dimes and BetOnline have them at +375 and Bovada has them with a line of +350. If they can manage to keep Aroldis Chapman and Dexter Fowler for reasonable prices, there won’t be another 108 years in between Cubs titles.
2017 Betting Odds For The St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals preview ranks them near the bottom-half of the league with +2200 odds to win the World Series according to Bovada. The team has holes all over the field, but primarily in the infield. It is no secret that the Redbirds are going to try and shore up their situation in the infield corners. Matt Carpenter will man first base and the team will look to add help at third base. Dodgers’ free agent Justin Turner seems to be at the top of their wish list, but that would make Johnny Peralta expendable. Look for the MLB betting preview on this team to change sometime during free agency.
Pittsburgh Pirates Odds To Win in 2017
It is quickly the becoming the worst-kept secret in the league that Pittsburgh is looking to move on from center fielder Andrew McCutchen. The Pirates season preview on Bovada has them with a +2800 line to win the whole thing. The team desperately needs a veteran starting pitcher to pair with Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon. If the team can manage to resign Ivan Nova without overpaying him, they could be one of the hottest destinations for free agent pitchers. However, the weak pitcher’s market means their best hope may be via trade. McCutchen saw a drop in production and is the quickest route to finding a legit presence in their starting rotation.
Milwaukee Brewers 2017 Betting Preview
For anyone looking for drastic changes from the Brew Crew in 2017, MLBPreview.comthinks you will be disappointed. The Brewers +7500 odds to win the 2017 World Series on Bovada and +10,000 line on BetOnline and 5Dimes still rank in the lower third of the league. The massive rebuild is underway and will continue this season. There is one significant difference, Milwaukee appears ready to go full rebuild and trade Ryan Braun. Yasiel Puig is a popular name of potential targets and the trade seems like a reasonable one for both teams. The decision to not re-sign first baseman Chris Carter is also a significant indicator of the team’s position on starting over. Carter hit 41 home runs in 2016 to tie for the National League lead. A power hitter like Carter will draw a lot of attention in a fairly weak free agency class.
World Series Betting Odds For The Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati’s biggest need is relief pitching. Holding onto leads has been a problem and it is reflected in their +15,000 BetOnline 2017 World Series odds, tied with Philadelphia and San Diego for worst in the majors. The Reds have several pitchers in their farm system on the cusp of the big leagues, but can’t be depended on until they are proven. One of those pitchers is lefty Amir Garrett. The former St. John’s basketball player is the number five left-handed pitcher prospect and is expected to be called up in early 2017. His fastball has been clocked in the upper 90’s and with a 6’5” frame, he commands the mound well. He might not be enough now, but it shows the Reds are heading in the right direction. Shortstop Zack Cozart has also been dangled in talks. The Winter Meetings will be the decisive moment for the Reds in the 2017 season.