Florida Marlins odds - young guns close to making next leap
Florida Marlins odds might excite you if you’re a superstitious baseball betting fan. After all, Florida wins the World Series every six years, right? 1997, 2003, 2009.
It’s not ridiculously far-fetched to dream of another Marlins title, as they have yet again stocked up with great young talent after a firesale, but it looks like they’re slightly behind schedule. This year may bring growing pains.
Florida Marlins odds: +4000 to win the World Series
- Surgery behind him, Johnson ready to become ace
- Nolasco among the more underrated MLB pitchers
- Hanley Ramirez a perennial MVP candidate
Raise your hand if you knew the Marlins were seven games over .500 last season. Flying under the radar, they were a quietly competitive team last year and there’s no reason to think they should regress since their young talent should only improve.
Most online betting experts say the first year back from Tommy John surgery is rocky while the second year is peachy, and Josh Johnson is entering that magical Year Two. Johnson has No. 1 starter potential and could assume that role as early as this season.
Marlins betting fans watched Ricky Nolasco have an All-Star-caliber 2008 and, while he may have pitched slightly over his head, he should remain a reliable starter. Andrew Miller, Chris Volstad and Anibal Sanchez are all projects but, if they can learn to hit the plate, they can mature into important members of this rotation—especially Miller in both regards.
The Marlins’ quietly powerful lineup set a franchise record for home runs last season. Hanley Ramirez is entrenched as one of the best all-around players in baseball betting; he can do it all. Dan Uggla and Jorge Cantu aren’t as versatile but are both solid power hitters, while it’s still not too late for Jeremy Hermida to bust out as a star.
A special player to watch is centerfielder Cameron Maybin; he came to Florida with Miller in the Miguel Cabrera trade and could become a Kenny Lofton-type player, albeit with less ability to hit for average but more power. He’ll be fun to watch if you bet the Marlins regularly.
The Marlins’ pen is a bit mucky but not without potential. Matt Lindstrom has the type of heat that stings catchers’ hands through the mitt, but he struggles with his control from time to time and is an injury risk. If he can harness his skills, he could become a pretty dominant closer in MLB betting.
The Marlins odds aren’t a shoo-in to succeed in ’09, but the future sure does look bright. Don’t expect them to win the NL East by any means, but don’t be surprised if they hang around .500 or better for the entire season.
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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.
