2010 St. Louis Cardinals Odds & Predictions

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After a disappointing fourth place finish in 2008, the St. Louis Cardinals climbed back to the top of the National League Central in 2009. Last year’s division title marked the third time the Cards have won the Central in the last five years. But many experts don’t consider winning the Central much of an accomplishment. It has been branded by some as one of the weaker divisions in baseball, and I guess the playoff performances of the Cubs and the Cards the last three years lend some truth to those accusations. St. Louis certainly has the talent to make a deep October run, which I think would silence some of those N.L. Central bashers. MLB odds makers have listed the St. Louis Cardinals at +975 to win the 2010 World Series.

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Pitching: The Cards are rock solid at the top of their starting pitching rotation with 2009 Cy Young Award finalists Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. Carpenter went 17-4 with a 2.24 ERA and he completely dominated division opponents to the tune of 11-0 with a 1.73 ERA. Wainwright went 19-8 with a 2.63 ERA, enjoying one stretch where he allowed two or fewer earned runs in 13 straight starts. Kyle Lohse and Brad Penny are expected to find spots in the rotation as well. Rich Hill, Mitchell Boggs and Jaime Garcia are among the favorites for the No. 5 spot.

The Cardinals like Ryan Franklin in the closer role. Franklin saved 38 games last season, earning his first All-Star nod along the way.

Infield: Former outfielder Skip Schumaker proved he could hack it at second base in 2009. He is coming off a very solid season in which he hit .303. Brendan Ryan flashed the leather often at the shortstop position and the team is hoping that offseason workouts with Mark McGwire will boost his bat. Albert Pujols has won three N.L. MVP Awards, including two in row. The first baseman hit .327 with 47 home runs and 135 RBIs. Rookie David Freese will be given every opportunity to win the starting job at the hot corner. The Cards bring back one of the best defensive catchers in the game in Yadier Molina. Molina is coming off a Gold Glove season. Few teams are willing to test his arm.

Outfield: With Matt Holliday in left and Ryan Ludwick in right, the Cards have a pair of big boppers in the corner outfield slots. Holliday got a big payday this offseason after hitting .353 in 63 games after coming over from Oakland. Ludwick’s numbers suffered because of a hamstring injury, but it’s hard to find too much fault with a guy that hit 22 round trippers and knocked in 97 runs. Center fielder Colby Rasmus really made a name for himself in the NLDS, hitting .444.

Prediction: 1st N.L. Central – With guys like Pujols, Holliday, Carpenter and Wainwright, the Cardinals have the star power to make a deep October run, and perhaps they’ll be motivated by last season’s early exit. The Cardinals are listed at -150 to win the division.

About the Author: Jimmy Boyd is known for his consistency. He's a proven winner in college and pro football, college and pro basketball and pro baseball. He finished as the No. 1 ranked MLB handicapper in 2007 by earning $1,000/game bettors $50,050. He also finished as the No. 1 ranked basketball handicapper in the 2008-09 season, profiting $1,000/game bettors 38,530. His basketball plays have banked $1,000/game bettors nearly $80,000 the last five years. Check out Jimmy's premium picks for tonight!
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