After back to back losing seasons, the Milwaukee Brewers will be starting the 2011 MLB campaign with a beefed up pitching staff and a new manager, former big league journeyman Ron Roenicke. MLB Odds experts at most offshore sports shops seem impressed with the Brewers prospects for success listing the club as +200 odds co-favorites with the Cincinnati Reds to win the 2011 National League Central Division.
With 2011 World Series Picks favorites Philadelphia Phillies in the same league, getting into the fall classic will be difficult. It will be hard enough for the Brew Crew to win the NL Central, however; with an improved pitching rotation and potent lineup, the Brewers have what it takes to make some noise. Oddsmakers list betting odds on the Brewers winning the 2011 World Series at +2500.
Any club will struggle without good pitching, like the Brewers struggled last year. However, acquiring 2009 Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke via trade with Kansas City and picking up Shaun Marcum from Toronto looked good heading into spring training. That is until Greinke cracked a rib in a pick-up basketball game. The Brewers are having injury problems elsewhere, right fielder Corey Hart with a rib-cage injury and catcher Jonathan Lucroy out with a broken little finger. Left fielder Ryan Braun is expected to be 100 percent after sustaining a slight rib-cage injury.
Roenicke's projected starting line up has second baseman Rickie Weeks leading off with center fielder batting second followed by Braun and first baseman Prince Fielder batting cleanup. Third baseman Casey McGehee will bat 5th, right fielder Mark Kotsay 6th, short stop Yuniesky Bettancourt 7th followed by catcher George Kottaras 8th.
Though not formally announced, big right hander and Mexico native Yovani is having a great spring and is projected to be the opening day starter. Marcum will follow at No. 2 then veteran lefthander Randy Wolf will probably be the No. 3 guy followed by Chris Narveson at 4. Greinke will miss at least two starts into the season.
If 2011 MLB Predictions experts are correct, fans in the NL Central are in for a treat where at least four of the six club division has a good shot at winning the Division Title. I predict the Reds will win because from top to bottom, they have the best team. The Cardinals and Cubs will be right there, however pitching is the weakness with them. My order of finish prediction is Cincinnati, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Houston.
