With little more than a week to go before the bell rings the start the 2011 MLB Season, the Chicago Cubs appear ready to go with most of the crucial pieces healthy and in order. Since pitching is the key ingredient needed for success, the Cubs are fortunate they have a starting rotation ready to challenge the Reds, Brewers and Cardinals in the National League Central Division and hopefully taking the club to a 2011 MLB World Series championship.
The Cubs are not 2011 World Series Picks favorites by most folks. That honor belongs to the Philadelphia Phillies, at +225 odds, who will be standing in the way of any Cubs World Series run. At +3000 World Series winning odds, the Cubs are expected to be in the mix of teams battling but the Phillies are prohibitive World Series favorites of all MLB teams from either league.
The NL Central looks to be one of the most competitive divisions in baseball with four of the five clubs given a legitimate shot at winning. According to some top off shore sports shops, the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds are co-favorites, at +175 odds, to win. The Cardinals follow at +350 and Cubs at +450.
If 2011 MLB Predictions experts are correct, fans in the NL Central are in for a treat. I predict the Reds will win because from top to bottom, they have the best overall combination of pitching, fielding and a solid batting lineup. Milwaukee and the Cubs will be right there, but I'm afraid pitching could hold the Cardinals back. My order of finish prediction is Cincinnati, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Houston.
