The Cincinnati Reds have shown steady improvement over the previous three MLB seasons, capped by a National League Central Division championship run in 2010. The Reds finished below .500 in 2008 and 2009 while developing some of the talent that helped the club to a 91-71 winning season and the division championship. As the 2011 season aproaches MLB Odds professionals at most offshore sports shops agree, the Reds are 2/1 odds favorites to repeat as 2011 NL Central champions.
Getting to the 2011 World Series will be a tough nut to crack considering they Reds would likely need to get there through Philadelphia, the 2011 World Series Picks favorite. Keep in mind the Phillies were the Reds nemesis in the 2010 National League Divisional Series sweeping them three straight. If the Reds defy oddsmakers and win the league pennant at 11-to-1 odds opposed to the Phillies at 8/5. It would certainly be a financial boom for backers. Defeating the Phillies in a projected NLCS series would absolutely make the Reds a 2011 World Series Picks favorite at 25/1 odds.
The Reds are built on a nucleus of players led by 2010 NL MVP Joey Votto, and Gold Glovers Brandon Phillips and 1996 rookie of the year Scott Rolen. Their starting pitching rotation looks strong on the arms of Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volques, and rookies Mike Leake and Travis Wood.
While it's never a good idea to put too much faith in your teams Spring Training success, the Reds seem to be very competitive as their 10-6 Cactus League record shows.
In the NL Central, the Reds will be facing stiff competitionion going against 2011 MLB Predictions co-favorites Milwaukee Brewers (19/10) and the St. Louis Cardinals (3/1).
