MLB Betting Online – Phillies, Cardinals Working Towards Unseating Giants At Top Of NL

After it seemed like a two-horse sports betting bonus race between the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies for a couple of years, the San Francisco Giants emerged to represent the NL in last year's World Series. As the countdown to opening day 2011 continues, the Cardinals and Phillies are among the NL contenders looking to unseat the Giants and get back to the top of the NL.

Washington Nationals @ Houston Astros

Nationals' ownership has committed a tremendous amount of sports betting money to the revival of the Nationals, and are hoping that what they can't cover with spending they can get from youngsters Stephen Stasburg and Bryce Harper. Whether or not there is any room for what scouts have called the best pure hitter to come into the league since Alex Rodriguez is still up in the air, and Harper should be in the lineup against a Houston team that has struggled this spring training. The Astros are still struggling to find any offense whatsoever.

MLB Betting Pick: Washington Nationals

St. Louis Cardinals @ Florida Marlins

The Cardinals are looking to find their way back to the top of the NL this season, a long journey that has begun with solid play in Grapefruit League. St. Louis has the bats but they will need to find some more consistent pitching from the four and five spots in the rotation, something that will continue against the Marlins. The return of outfielder Cameron Maybin has provided Florida with an idea of what it will be like to have him as the team's everyday starter and a potential quality bat towards the back end of the rotation. There has even been talk about moving Maybin up to the leadoff spot, which would push rookie Logan Morrison to the second spot. In terms of pure talent, St. Louis is the better team, but the Marlins have more to determine in preseason play.

MLB Betting Pick: Florida Marlins

Cincinnati Reds @ San Francisco Giants

The Reds are already locked in for opening MLB betting day, and there is every reason to believe that this team can contend in 2011. Joey Votto is an MVP candidate while Scott Rolen is still a consistent hitter that gets on base and can drive in runs. Cincinnati will get a good test against the defending World Series champions, and although they will be missing a lot of pieces it should make for an exciting game.

MLB Betting Pick: Cincinnati Reds

Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves

It might still be spring training, but the intensity will still be raised a notch with two of the top contenders from the NL set to clash on Sunday. This game will be more of a dress rehearsal than it will be to determine anything about either teams lineup, so it should be one of the more competitive games this spring. The Braves have more to prove than a Philadelphia team that will need to pace themselves this season, and that will be the difference this season.

MLB Betting Pick: Atlanta Braves