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. Continue reading →