Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Odds – Dodgers Heading For Third Consecutive West Title
The Dodgers, fresh off back-to-back National League West titles, look to 2010 as a year full of championship hopes and dreams. While the team has made it into the NLCS for the last two years, they've been unable to breakthrough into the World Series. Sportsbook odds makers know that ff the team hopes to change things this year and go all the way, they're going to need some serious help from their pitching staff.
- Have made it to the NLCS each of the last two years
- Were 23rd in the majors in homers last season
- Led the majors last season with a 3.41 staff ERA and 3.12 rotation ERA
Batting Lineup – Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Odds
Despite serving a 50-game suspension, Manny Ramirez still finished with 19 home runs and 63 RBIs - his continued presence in the batting lineup will mean big offense for Los Angeles, as will Matt Kemp's. Kemp showed he could step up last season, coming through with 26 home runs and 101 RBIs. Right fielder Andre Ethier has also proven to be a valuable contributor - he became just the fourth player in club history with at least 40 doubles and 30 home runs in the same season. A question mark for the Dodgers is catcher Russel Martin, who is coming off a disastrous season in which he only hit seven home runs and earned 53 RBIs. A return to form for Martin could prove a big help in the Dodgers' push to surpass their mark of the last two seasons.
Starting Pitching – Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Odds
Clayton Kershaw is a serious threat on the mound for the Dodgers. With an impressive 2.79 ERA, Clayton needs to focus on reducing his walks. In 2009, the young upstart had a massive 91 walks - the third highest in the National League. Billingsley and Padilla also proved effective for Los Angeles. Despite some hiccups toward the end of the season for both pitchers, both men proved effective in their roles, and they could serve as a vital part of the Dodgers' push to break through and actually make it into the fall classic.
Fans of sports betting know that the story this year is the same as the story last year - deficiencies in the starting rotation are made up for by a stalwart bullpen. However, Los Angeles needs to rely less on their closers to keep the wolves at bay, and more on their starters to stifle their opponents, and allow the team to develop big leads.
Bullpen – Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Odds
The absence of Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario from spring training presents and interesting hurdle for the Dodgers. Given Belisario's posted 2.04 ERA in 69 appearances as a rookie last season, the Venezuelan should have been a no-brainer for the Dodger's bullpen. However, following his Visa problems and reportedly missing numerous appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Belisario's entire career is in question at this point. With opening day closing fast, the Dodgers would be allowed to suspend Belisario indefinitely if he were found to be in less than top physical condition when he does report for camp. If he reports for camp.
Outlook – Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Odds
In terms of their offense, the Dodgers are a tough team to beat in their division. Defensively, things have gotten much better for the team in recent years, and without question they have what it takes to take a third straight N.L. West title. Whether or not they can parlay that success into a run in the World Series is another question. Most cappers are in agreement as it stands right now, the Dodgers probably don't have the pitching to compete with the teams they will need to compete with - Philadelphia and the Yankees. While anything can happen over the course of the season, those engaging in mlb betting should look for the Dodgers to finish first in the N.L. West, but fall short of their aspirations of fall classic glory.
