Cincinnati Reds odds – Cincy pitching may finally match the hitting

The last time Cincinnati Reds odds mattered, Lou Pinella was manager, the New Kids on the Block were the apple of teenage girls’ eyes, and Kevin Costner was a successful actor. Yeah, it’s been a while.

There’s a chance that could change, though. The Reds have stockpiled promising young hitters and may finally have the pitching to complement them. If everything clicks, the Reds' sports betting odds might be worth considering.

Reds odds: +7500 to win the World Series

• Votto, Bruce are future stars in the middle of the order
• Cueto, Volquez have bright future on the mound
• Bullpen could be Cincy’s Achilles ’ heel

For the last several years, good pitching has been tougher to find than oil. As a result, several teams have emerged in the MLB odds with great young hitters but a dearth of good pitching; the Rays and Rangers consistently fit that role, but the Rays finally got some young arms and have never looked back. The Rangers are still stuck in neutral. The Reds are another team loaded with great offensive talent and, while they’ve spent several seasons with an “all-hitting, no-pitching” label, they finally have an above-average starting staff.

“Ace” Aaron Harang flirted with Cy Young-caliber numbers for a few seasons before some nagging fat injuries caught up to him in a nightmarish 2008 campaign. However, Harang lost 30-plus pounds entering the 2009 MLB odds and should return to his 2007 form. He may finally have some help in the rotation now after Edinson Volquez, who came over in the Josh Hamilton trade, broke out last season.

Reds betting fans soured on Volquez slightly after he tanked late in ’08, but that was likely just because he tired after never pitching a full major-league season. Joining Volquez is the dynamic yet enigmatic Johnny Cueto, who has oodles of talent but remains a bit wild. I’m betting he harnesses his ability and breaks out in 2009. Bronson Arroyo and Micah Owings are nothing special, but you could do a lot worse at your No. 4 and No. 5 starter slots.

If you’re going to bet on Reds odds, you’ll be betting on one of the most exciting offensive teams in baseball this season. Super prospect Jay Bruce whiffs too often, but that’s excusable given his youth and he more than makes up for it with his big power.

Joey Votto, who contended for Rookie of the Year honours last season, is an All-Star in the making; he can hit for power and average. Brandon Phillips is a tremendous talent, as evidenced by his 30/30 season in 2007, but he nicks himself up a lot while playing his heart out at second base. Even Edwin Encarnacion still hasn’t hit his ceiling yet at third base and could improve on his 26-homer 2008 season.

The biggest detriment if you’re going to be on the Reds is the bullpen. Francisco Cordero has the ability to be an elite closer, but a rocky spring has experts wondering if Cordero is hiding an injury. Should he go down, David Weathers or Arthur Rhodes – both 39 years old – would have to answer the bell. That wouldn’t be a good thing.

The Reds still have some kinks to work out, but this could be the most competitive team they’ve had in years. Don’t be surprised if they win more than 85 games and finish second in the NL Central. After what the Rays did last season, Cincy’s sportsbook value of +7500 is tempting, isn’t it?

For more Cincinnati Reds odds and baseball betting tips, visit the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com all season long.

Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball.Email Comments@BetOnline.com.