Cubs odds – Chicago expected to be NL’s best
Among National League teams, the Cubs odds are the best to win the NL Pennant, which is good news for the Wrigley Field faithful. The pieces are in place but for Cubs betting fans to finally rejoice, the Cubs will have to work on their execution. It’s been 101 seasons that Cubs betting fans have been mired in losing misery but this season might be their best chance to win in a long time.
Sports betting lines: Cubs should cruise in National League Central
- Cubs are +825 to win the World Series
- Cubs haven’t made many offseason changes
- Execution will be crucial for the Cubs
If you bet on the Cubs last year, be aware they didn’t make many offseason changes. On one hand, it was partially disappointing when fans watched teams like the New York Yankees and New York Mets improve. But at the same time, considering the Cubs won 97 games last season, not a lot needed to be changed.
The Cubs odds look pretty good for a National Central Champion repeat, but can they get over their playoff failure?
For Chicago, success is measured by World Series Championships, not just by playoff appearances. The Cubs have won the division two straight years but haven’t won a single playoff game during their two postseason appearances, and obviously it’s been a long time since you could bet Cubs World Series games.
MLB odds are indicative of Chicago’s rotation, one of the best in the league. Rich Harden and Carlos Zambrano are the headliners while Ryan Dempster and Ted Lilly developed into an awesome supporting cast last season.
In the bullpen, which was clearly a problem for Cubs betting fans last season, Chicago has added a reliable closer in Kevin Gregg and brought along Carlos Marmol slowly as well. Between the two, the Cubs are hoping that a solid eighth and ninth inning rotation emerges, which should shorten the game for them.
Meanwhile, sportsbook odds makers recognize that the Cubs could have one of the best batting lineups in baseball, but they could also have a very mediocre order as well.
There are a number of concerns, such as the fact that Derrek Lee’s power numbers have deteriorated significantly over the last three seasons, that Alfonso Soriano is still slotted as the leadoff hitter and the Geovany Soto and Kosuke Fukudome were both rookies last season.
But if Lee regains some power, Soriano feels comfortable, and Fukudome and Soto avoid sophomore slumps, the Cubs could have a very difficult lineup to deal with.
Overall, when you go inside the Cubs lines, it’s pretty clear that they have all the physical tools to compete. The question is whether they can get over the mental road blocks and succeed in the postseason, where they have failed so many times.
If you’re looking to bet on Cubs odds and other MLB betting odds this season, stay up-to-date with the betonline.com Sportsbook.
T.J. Kendrick is the biggest baseball nut and a brilliant MLB handicapper. His love of the game borders on obsession, and he takes every chance he gets to make excellent predictions, frequently contributing to industry handicapping sites as well as betonline.com. Thoughts or questions?
