Brewers odds – Stand-pat offseason will drown Milwaukee
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Brewers odds followers had a message for Milwaukee management this past winter it would’ve gone something like this: “Brewers. Hey, Brewers! Look out for that truck…Brewers…BREWERS! NOOOOOOOOOOO!” Yep, the Brewers were deer in the headlights this offseason, watching C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets float away for nothing. In a rising NL West, standing pat wasn’t a smart move for the Brewers' sports betting odds.
Brewers odds: +4000 to win the World Series
- Brew Crew can still slug with the best of ’em
- Big pressure on Gallardo to become an ace
- Bullpen looks downright terrible
In many ways, the Brewers’ lineup is like the woman Jerry dates on “Seinfeld” who looks gorgeous in some situations and hideous in others. The gorgeous side is Milwaukee’s power-packed hitting lineup, which should keep them consistently competitive in MLB odds this season.
Ryan Braun can’t play defense, but that’s not what he’s paid for; he’s a bona fide superstar with the bat and joins Prince Fielder to form one of baseball’s best tandems. Prince was hardly “bad” last year, but he should improve after regressing from 50 homers to 34; 40 bombs sounds about right for 2009 MLB betting.
Brewers betting fans will witness pop all over the lineup, with Corey Hart, J.J. Hardy and Mike Cameron all perennial 20-plus homer guys. Rickie Weeks hasn’t yet realized his potential, but there’s still time for him to do it; he has a quick bat, good eye and a nice blend of power and speed. He could become a force at the top of the order if he curbs his strikeouts.
Now, if you’re going to bet on the Brewers, the hideous side of the roster: the pitching staff. When Jeff Suppan is your opening-day starter, it’s tough to pick you on MLB odds. Since online betting fans know what they’re getting with Suppan, Dave Bush and Braden Looper, much of the Brewers’ sportsbook chances will depend on how much Yovani Gallardo and Manny Parra can develop. Gallardo has ace ability but tore his ACL last year and is thus no guarantee to stay healthy. Parra has good enough stuff to be an effective lefty but must cut down on walks to be a plus pitcher.
Do we have to talk about the Brewers’ bullpen? Ugh. Milwaukee signed legend Trevor Hoffman last season but he’s already hurt and – hint, hint – he’s old. Former starter Carlos Villanueva is closing to start the season and he’s backed up by a rag-tag bunch that includes Seth McClung, David Riske and Todd Coffey. Among that trio: 37 career saves and 32 blown saves. Better hope Hoffman returns soon, Brewers odds bettors.
The Brewers bats’ alone will keep them around the .500 mark but, unless everything goes right somehow in the pitching department, it’s hard to see a 90-win team from 2008 approaching that number this year when they lost two frontline starters. If you’re going to bet the Brewers, don’t expect them to return to their 2008 form.
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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.
