2021 NL Central Odds and Pick
NL Central Odds
Placing a wager on winning the world series has always been the most popular type of bet for baseball fans, but an overlooked wager that actually has really great odds, is targeting division odds. The payouts are just as great with a better chase for success.
One of the beauties of the NL Central during this fine season is the multiple options that can be had for the winner. Currently, with three teams over .500 by the start of June, the Cubs, Cardinals, and Brewers all find themselves in a good situation. As of the first week of June, we have the Cardinals and Brewers sitting up top with the best odds across the board, St. Louis is +130 (DK), +130 (WH & PB), while the Brewers are listed +130 (DK) and +140 (PB & WH). Fairly similar odds through the three books. For the other three remaining teams within the division, the Cubs are now listed at +550 on every single book while the Reds and Pirates who are highly unlikely to win the division this year are hovering in the range of +1400 to +50000.
We’ll make this simple like the other previews I have written, the Reds and Pirates being division contenders are not only unlikely, but it would be perhaps one of the bigger upsets this season. Cincinnati has good talent on their roster but fails to be a complete team that would see them contend for this season. They have slowly fallen out of the picture already with a 24-29 record that will be incredibly difficult with the division they are in. Despite having an 11-10 record in the division this season there are going to be a lot of difficulties to maintain that record. With an MLB worst team ERA hovering over 5.00 this is an awful position to be in and one would assume it will stay this poor when the weather starts to warm up at their ballpark. The Reds virtually have no chance at this division, so you are better off saving your money. As for the Pirates, look forward to their drafts because there isn’t much to watch for the rest of this season.
Now for the three main contenders for the division, we’ll go with the Brewers and what their case is for this title. The odds for them aren’t too bad whatsoever and they have the best 1-2 pitching combo within the division with Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff which has helped anchor this team to a top 10 team ERA in baseball which isn’t a fluke. These guys are top-notch and will continue to be if they have their health. But health is the real question mark with this team regarding star player Christian Yelich. Only amassing 23 games this season and hitting a slash line of .250/.386/.333 there are some decent signs with his OBP, but his average and slugging are down quite a bit compared to his career numbers. Dealing with back strains isn’t the best of signs for a player at the age of 29 so this could potentially resurface one day. To put it simply, the Brewers will be in most games they play in, and that lineup is respectable enough. Yelich returning to MVP form could see this team win the division and getting them at this number would be ideal before him heating up. These odds will fluctuate throughout the season so you could be patient for another week or so, don’t be shocked if things change soon for the Brew Crew.
The Cardinals are widely known as the class of the Central and have been for years. Despite having their fair share of ups and downs in recent years in the playoffs, St. Louis is primed once again to make it to October. 16th in quality starts, 15th in ERA, and second in saves is decent for a team that isn’t loaded regarding pitching. It’s not their strength but if they can hover around average as a team and elite in the pen then it’s a great sign. However, the ultimate task at hand is having consistent hitting, they rank average throughout most categories so far this season and have still boasted a good record. The underlying numbers don’t scream division winner and it’s not the greatest value to bet on either. The Cardinals can certainly win this division and I do think they will ultimately, but we want to value, St. Louis doesn’t present that at this current moment.
Now for the best value on the board by a far relative to roster talent, the Chicago Cubs. From the same city that brought you “The Last Dance” on MJ and the Bulls. This is most likely the same story for Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Wilson Contreas, and Anthony Rizzo. Strong signs leading to a rebuild are imminent but what if this core has one last push in them to make the playoffs and go from there? Trading away Yu Darvish in the NL was an indicator that the Cubs would be shedding salary and not offering a lot of money to the players above. Despite all that Jed Hoyer has remained firm on a sky-high asking price for his all-stars, most notably Kris Bryant. We are in June and this team has no signs of slowing down or falling out of the race for playoffs. Hoyer’s job is to win and if he can still potentially do that with this core, he must give himself every chance possible. Unless an absurd offer comes in for one of these players it seems they will ride or die with them. +400 odds across the board while currently being over .500 and having one of the better home records in baseball is terrific. The value with the Cubs is fantastic and they can certainly win this division if they choose to stay intact, so if you want to bet on a squad to do so, might as well be Chicago. Check out expert predictions too to make your final decision!
Pick: Cubs +550
Martino Puccio
Martino is a freelance writer for The Athletic for Soccer Sports Gambling and is also an Alumni of Iona College with a Masters degree in Sports Communications in Media. You can follow him on Twitter at @Martinopuccio.
