There’s no bigger favorite in Major League Baseball than the Chicago Cubs. Yes, you read that right. The team that has lost for a century is such a big favorite, it is one of only two teams in MLB where you win less money than you wager.
Every other team features a bigger return than what is actually wagered. That’s quite a jump for a Cubs team that many thought was still a few years away from competing. Last year’s run to the National League Championship Series gave oddsmakers the notion to make the Cubs the favorite this year in the NL Central at -150.
Much like last season, though, the division should be a tight race. St. Louis is listed at +250 and Pittsburgh is at +300. Nobody’s giving the Reds or Brewers much of a chance at +2500.
Pitching will likely key the champion in the National League Central. The Cubs, Cardinals and Pirates have solid staffs, with the Cubs likely getting the edge. Chicago will wheel out Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta and John Lackey. That’s enough to make life hard on a daily basis for the opposition.
The batting also should be consistent on a daily basis, with Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Jason Heyward, among others, leading the pack. I’m giving the Cubs the edge offensively over the Cardinals, and will give them a big advantage over the Pirates, which should once again have a difficult time scoring. In fact, I doubt the Pirates will be close to the team they were last season.
Pittsburgh’s pitching was unstoppable for a time period last year and I doubt that can happen again.
Much like my Giants pick for the National League West, I can’t pick against he favorite. The Cubs are top-to-bottom the best team in the NL Central. That’s why you shouldn’t worry about the bad value in the pick.
