posted February 27, 2008 at 23:52 EST in MLB Free Picks

Today I’m thinking all about the N.L. Central Division where the cursed Chicago Cubs are supposed to finally break-through for not only an N.L. Central Division title but also a World Series berth. Every MLB fan in the world knows this story - - the Cubs haven’t won a World Series since 1908. That’s a freaking long-time.

But, as evidenced by the Colorado Rockies’ amazing run last year to the World Series, nothing is ever as it seems in the National League. So are the Cubs really that good in this division? Can anybody challenge them?

Let’s take a look, shall we?

National League Central Division

Chicago Cubs – BetUS odds – 120 = The Cubs went all-out signing Japanese superstar Kosuke Fukudome to an improbable 4-year 48 million contract. They’re hoping he will be as good as Ichiro. Uh…he’d better be good at 48 mil. Still, he might be enough to take the Cubs to the promised land this year. They have a pretty starting rotation with Carlos Zambrano leading the way and manager Lou Pinella has been in this position many times before. But the odds just aren’t right for me. The Central Division is loaded with pretty good teams - - not great - - but pretty good teams. I’d like to see a + sign in front of that 120 before taking a stab on the Cubs to win this division.

Milwaukee Brewers – BetUS odds + 200 = Four right-handers and 1 left-hander in their starting rotation, but it’s a pretty good one with Ben Sheets proving to be a nice pitcher. Man, they’ve got some hitters. Prince Fielder had 50 home runs last year and batted .288. Mike Cameron can knock out once in a while as well. But like the Cubs the odds are just too low for me to make a wager. I know, I know, the Brewers are a small market team with a shot. That means I should like them, right? But I can’t get myself to put some real money on them at + 200. True, their odds are much better than the Cubs but again, I feel that the N. L. Central Division is ripe for a long shot winner.

St. Louis Cardinals – BetUS odds + 700 = At 7 to 1 I really like the Cardinals. They had a down year, but this is one of those organizations that won’t stay down for long. Albert Pujols is still one of the top players in the Major Leagues and their starting rotation isn’t nearly as bad as some might think. And talk about leadership in management! There is no one better then Tony La Russa. This is the pick for now!

Houston Astros – BetUS odds + 800 = Roy Oswalt is absolutely brilliant. I mean, he might be the best pitchers in all of baseball, but this team just doesn’t perform the way it should. Both Carolos Lee and Lance Berkman hit for power so it still boggles my mind why this team has trouble scoring runs. I don’t know about these guys. I like them less at + 800 then I do the Cardinals at + 700.

Cincinnati Reds – BetUS odds + 600 = The Reds are a pretty good team, but, inevitably, Ken Griffey Jr. or Adam Dunn or both will get hurt. That will end all chance for the Reds. The odds are too low on this team to win the division outright against such stalwarts as the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs. I like the Reds better than the Cubs because of the odds but in all honesty, the Reds, Astros and Cubs look like the same team on paper and probably will play like the same team during the season. I don’t see the Reds with a decided advantage. Why take the Reds at + 600 when the Cardinals are up there at + 700?

Pittsburgh Pirates – BetUS odds + 3300 = Out of 162 games I believe the Pirates will win around 30. That’s how bad they are. This would be one of the biggest upsets in baseball history. This team might not beat some of the better Triple A teams. No, Becky, I will not be wagering on the Pirates this season.

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