The East has been really interesting the past few seasons, drawing in the masses to watch each and every game leading up to the postseason. The division hosts 2 teams with by far the most talent, along with the highest pay rolls. The AL East, that is. The NL East is more like the division that the Phillies always win. As it stands today, the 2012 NL East betting odds have Philadelphia as the favorite to win the East at -275, with only the new look Miami Marlins at +600 and the former yearly favorite Atlanta Braves at +700 anywhere in the neighborhood.
The Atlanta Braves use to be a shoe-in for division winner when they had the pitching staff of the decade in the 90s. Last year, they were one of the victims of a historical season-ending collapse that was only surpassed by Boston’s buffoonery. Things are looking up, as the farm system of pitching arms they have had for many years has finally developed. After shipping Derek Lowe off, they now have a full staff of young guns led by veteran Tim Hudson. The lineup has enough big bats to do damage and the acquisition of Michael Bourne made things much easier in September for McCann and Uggla, once he got comfy on the basepath.
The Miami Marlins are the team we heard most about this offseason between the free agent signings and the new stadium with the convertible top. The signings of Jose Reyes, Mark Buerhle, and Heath Bell have fans in South Beath curious and the stadium allows fans to enjoy a game that won’t dehydrate and sunburn them. And it helps to have Ozzie Guillen adding the latin flavor that will definitely play to the demographics of the area.
The Mets are penniless and pop-free after losing everyone but David Wright, who will probably see the door very soon also. The only hope for the Mets pitching staff rests on Johan Santana’s elbow, although the plethera of rookies they start will keep at least 20 or 30 fans coming each game. So that’s good.
The only remaining team is the Nationals, who believe it or not, are worth mentioning for a sleeper. The Nats brought in Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson to beef up the rotation, and have a wonder child in 19-year old Bryce Harper, and a wonder child on the mound in Stephen Strasburg. Jordan Zimmerman is the phenom that everyone forgot about after his arm surgery, but with health and more experience could really be an asset. The infield is jam packed full of potential with journeymen Mark Derosa and Adam LaRoche, and rookies Anthony Rendon and Chris Marrero, who have been extremely impressive when I got to watch them play. The Michael Morse-Ryan Zimmerman-Jayson Werth combo in the middle of the lineup could be just filthy if Morse keeps hitting, Z stays healthy, and Werth hits the baseball more than once every 20 at-bats. Bovada gives the Nats a +900 betting line to win the East, and the Mets an expected hopeless line of +7500 or $75 for every $1 wagered.
Odds To Win 2012 NL East Division Title – as found at Bovada Sportsbook on March 6th, 2012
