2011 NL Pennant Odds to Win
(The Spread) – Major League Baseball heads into its second half this week and oddsmakers have released updated odds for the 2011 NL pennant race.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Bodog have made the Phillies the clear-cut favorite to win the 2011 National League pennant at 11/10. Their NL East rivals the Braves are 6/1, while the defending World Series champion Giants are 7/1 and the Brewers are 15/2.
As expected, the Phillies have been dominant all year and currently sit 3.5 games above the Braves in the NL East. Led by an unbelievable pitching staff of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels, Philly figures to be in contention for the remainder of the season. If guys like Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins can heat up, the Phillies could be unstoppable in the second half.
Of course, the Braves have played great baseball as well. As previously mentioned, they’re only 3.5 games out of first place in the NL East and their pitching staff has been outstanding as well. Led by Jair Jurrjens (who currently leads the majors in wins) by Tommy Hanson, as well as a fantastic bullpen comprised of Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta will give Philadelphia a run for its money in the second half.
It appears as though some people are still sleeping on the Giants, even though San Fran won it all in 2010. After losing former Rookie of the Year Buster Posey for the season, everyone thought the G-Men would fade in the NL West. Instead, thanks to Pablo Sandoval and their outstanding young pitching staff, the Giants have prospered. At the break, they’re 12 games above .500 and three games ahead of the surprising Arizona Diamondbacks (16/1) in the division. If they can acquire a bat at the trade deadline (Carlos Beltran anyone?), nobody should sleep on San Fran in the second half.
Just like in the American League, the NL Central is up for grabs. The Brewers (15/2) have a minus-1 run differential but are currently tied with the Cardinals (10/1) for first place. The story in the Central, however, is the surprising Pittsburgh Pirates, who are just one game out of first despite boasting a no-name pitching staff. The Reds, who won the division a year ago, are very much in the thick of things too at four games out. At the break, it’s anyone’s division.
For a complete list of updated 2011 National League Pennant odds to win, see below.
2011 NL Pennant Odds to Win
Philadelphia Phillies 11/10
Atlanta Braves 6/1
San Francisco Giants 7/1
Milwaukee Brewers 15/2
St. Louis Cardinals 10/1
Cincinnati Reds 15/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 16/1
Colorado Rockies 20/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 22/1
New York Mets 60/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 80/1
Florida Marlins 100/1
Washington Nationals 100/1
San Diego Padres 125/1
Chicago Cubs 150/1
Houston Astros 250/1
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