[SBR_John]

Mine is Colorado. Love their bullpen and they have some sticks. Like them to win the division.

[MonkeyF0cker]

Colorado's been playing some solid ball lately. We'll see if the All-star break disrupts this little run their in or if they can keep it going. As far as San Diego goes, I just don't think they have the offense to win the series this year....

[rjt721]

Mine is Colorado. Love their bullpen and they have some sticks. Like them to win the division.

You're kidding about the bullpen, right?

[jjgold]

Detroit is the easy winner this year

Dark Horse I guess the Yanks

[gummo]

Phillies.

[austintx05]

jjgold - it iis no wonder why you never win. The Yankees are never a dark horse. NEVER.

Padres will not win he WS

How about Seattle?

[bigboydan]

Mine is Colorado. Love their bullpen and they have some sticks. Like them to win the division.

You love there bullpen John

That pen is brutal and is the reason why the Rockies will never do anything until they fix it.

[spliff]

Cardinals.

althoug I have to say I admire their effort to acquire live arms throughout, there is no way...STL is a mediocre team with Pujols, bottom feeder without.

[spliff]

are there any books with updated division odds available right now?

[rjt721]

are there any books with updated division odds available right now?

Greek:

7/17/2007 7:00 PM Odds to win the 2007 AL Central division
1055 Chicago White Sox or Cleveland Indians +130
1056 Detroit Tigers or Minnesota Twins -155

7/17/2007 7:00 PM Odds to win the 2007 AL West division
1061 Los Angeles Angels -545
1062 Oakland Athletics +1015
1063 Texas Rangers or Seattle Mariners +485

7/17/2007 7:00 PM Odds to win the 2007 NL East division
1085 New York Mets -265
1086 Philadelphia Phillies +405
1087 Atlanta Braves +385
1088 Florida Marlins or Washington Nationals

7/17/2007 7:00 PM Odds to win the 2007 NL Central division
1091 St Louis Cardinals +1085
1092 Chicago Cubs +205
1093 Cincinnati Reds or Milwaukee Brewers -235
1094 Houston Astros or Pittsburgh Pirates

7/17/2007 7:00 PM Odds to win the 2007 NL West division
1095 Los Angeles Dodgers +135
1096 San Diego Padres +105
1097 San Francisco Giants
1098 Arizona Diamondbacks or Colorado Rockies +485

[The HG]

I think the Cubs might catch Milwaukee. The Cubs' pitching might be more durable than Milwaukee, and Milwaukee's lineup may have overachieved in the first half.

Also, if Seattle's starting pitching comes around (Felix? Weaver?) watch out for them because they have a lively offense and a deep bullpen.

[The HG]

Greek:

7/17/2007 7:00 PM Odds to win the 2007 AL Central division
1055 Chicago White Sox or Cleveland Indians +130
1056 Detroit Tigers or Minnesota Twins -155

7/17/2007 7:00 PM Odds to win the 2007 AL West division
1061 Los Angeles Angels -545
1062 Oakland Athletics +1015
1063 Texas Rangers or Seattle Mariners +485

7/17/2007 7:00 PM Odds to win the 2007 NL East division
1085 New York Mets -265
1086 Philadelphia Phillies +405
1087 Atlanta Braves +385
1088 Florida Marlins or Washington Nationals

7/17/2007 7:00 PM Odds to win the 2007 NL Central division
1091 St Louis Cardinals +1085
1092 Chicago Cubs +205
1093 Cincinnati Reds or Milwaukee Brewers -235
1094 Houston Astros or Pittsburgh Pirates

7/17/2007 7:00 PM Odds to win the 2007 NL West division
1095 Los Angeles Dodgers +135
1096 San Diego Padres +105
1097 San Francisco Giants
1098 Arizona Diamondbacks or Colorado Rockies +485

I think the Texas or Seattle line at +485 is pretty far off, that's a good bet there IMO.

[spliff]

I think the Texas or Seattle line at +485 is pretty far off, that's a good bet there IMO.

i have to agree, Seattle is only 2.5 games back. Many "experts" are predicting a fizzle, but I think they will stay solid.

I'd take a shot at Philly+405 as well, but I do not play at the Greek. I'll have to check around, thank you.

[SBR_John]

I doubt the Brewers win that division. Even Houston at 11 back has a shot.

Yes, Colo has a good pen. Lets see how they do in the 2nd half. Now bigboy and rj lets see your dark horse team and why? Easy to poke holes, harder to make predictions .

[bigboydan]

John, Read this thread and see just exactly how many Rockies are on it (Please note post #41 too, because it highlights the whole Rockies pen )

As far as my dark horse this year goes. I'm sticking with my original prediction and saying Atlanta.

[rjt721]

Oakland. With Harden back, and Huston Street expected back in the next week or so, I think they'll make a second-half run and make things interesting in the AL West. I see them overtaking Seattle, and with 13 games remaining against the Angels, even at 9 games back, they still have an opportunity to win that division. With Haren, Blanton, Gaudin and a healthy Harden, I don't know if there's a better front 4 in the AL. Esteban Loaizia will likely return at some point, and Piazza will also be back to bolster the struggling offense. They've been destroyed by injuries thus far, but they're slowly getting healthy. They still need to add a bat in the middle of the lineup, but I see the A's making another second-half run, just as they have in year's past.

[MonkeyF0cker]

Lotta Brewer bashing going on here so I'll have to step up and defend my team. I really don't think they've overacheived at all up to this point. Rickie Weeks and Bill Hall (before his injury) haven't played well all year. Fielder is putting up the numbers everyone always thought he would. The only player that has really been a shock in terms of overachieving is JJ Hardy. They have a solid OF core rotation that get everyone a good amount of ABs. Their starting pitching has been shaky at times. Capuano hasn't looked the same since his injury but I think he's going to come around. And Suppan hasn't been at his finest either. They both have decent stuff and are effective starters when they are locating. And now they have Gallardo in the rotation who has been more than impressive. Their pen has been solid too. 90% of the time when they have the lead going into the 8th, Turnbow and Cordero are going to hold. I really don't see that changing much after the break. I really don't see another team in the NL central that is nearly as deep and effective as the Brewers all-around.

[spliff]

I really don't see another team in the NL central that is nearly as deep and effective as the Brewers all-around.

Solid point- I guarantee you there is not.

F U C K THE CUBS



fwiw- I just picked up a little Phiily +480 to win the NL East at Bookmaker.

[spliff]

Even Houston at 11 back has a shot.

A snowball's chance in hell, maybe. At bookmaker they're paired with Pitt @ 30-1 to win the central. With that pitching staff, it should be 60-1. Take away Oswalt, and Houston's ERA is probably among the worst in the majors.

[imgv94]

Something tells me the Cards win their division..

[EBone]

Some impressions:

AL East: As stated in this thread, the Yankees are never a dark horse but I say this division gets tighter before it gets wider. The Yanks are bound to make a deal before the deadline to get arms to help. I think the Yanks get the wildcard.

AL Central: I believe the Tigers will win this division. Their bullpen is a little scatter brained but they will win the division. The lead will be substantial by Labor Day. Cleve and Minny will make a run at the Wild Card.

AL West: Don't like Seattle. The only way they win this division is, as Ganch HG says, if they get a bonafide #1 starter. Their starting pitching is not good. They need the Weave or Hernandez to pick it up as True #1's. Personally, I don't think it will happen. I like the Angels with Seattle 2nd.

NL East: The Mets are faltering and will likely continue to falter but there is no one in the division to take it over. Stick with the Mets to win the division. If the Phillies make a trade deadline deal for some bullpen help, they can make it interesting.

NL Central: I think the Cubs will win this division. The Brewers are good and can still hold on but I think the Cubs will end up being too strong. If the Cards can get the starting lineup healthy again and get Carpenter and Mulder back in the 2nd half, with the odds quoted in this thread, they should be worth a shot at the odds. I somehow have the feeling that Mulder, when he gets back, is going to be the Mulder of old. When the Cards traded for Mulder, he was damaged. Ol' Billy Beane took advantage of Walt Jocketty. Mulder has been gone for a long time and, with that time off, could be the money pitcher the Cards originally had hoped for. The Cards will get Eckstein and Edmonds back soon. In a division that, traditionally, .500 gives you a shot in, you have to think that the Cards at 5 games below .500 have a chance.

NL West: I still think the Padres are the best in the NL and will go to the World Series. I hope they have a lead big enough in September to conserve some bullpen juice. Seems to me that Bud Black overcompensates with his bullpen because of Germano's inexperience and the old timers Wells and Maddux. The Pads will only have themselves to blame if they don't win this division. It is all internal with them. No dark horses out of this division. The only team on the uptick in this division besides SD is Colorado. Unbelievable turnaround for the Rockies but it won't be enough to win the division.


The only two dark horses I would play would be: ChiCubs to win the division and the Cards to win the division. Bet them equal and, if one wins, you are a net winner.



E

[SBR_John]

Good post Ebone! Enjoyed that read.

Spliff yea I know Houston has no chance although they are playing good now. The point was that there are teams 10 or 11 out that could run down division leading teams like the Brewers.

[bigboydan]

A snowball's chance in hell, maybe. At bookmaker they're paired with Pitt @ 30-1 to win the central. With that pitching staff, it should be 60-1. Take away Oswalt, and Houston's ERA is probably among the worst in the majors.

I think I'd take a shot with the Astros at that price personally. They have been a great 2nd half team in recent years, and always start out slow, but finish strong.

[Willie Bee]

Solid point- I guarantee you there is not.

Is that a money back guarantee, spliff? If I go out and bet the Brew Crew to win the NL Central and they don't, will you reimburse me for the bet?

I think the Cubs have a very good chance to sneak ahead of Milwaukee in the division.

I would love to see the Rockies come back and stun everyone in the NL West, John. But backing a bullpen that includes the names LaTroy Hawkins and Jorge Julio is about as safe as stepping into the shower with your plugged-in toaster.

[WileOut]

The Cubs will run away with the division before its over. They will win it by 10 games. The Cubs have one of the best lineups in baseball, if not THE best. Zambrano is a steam roller. The Cubs could easily win the World Series this year.

[SBR_John]

Yea but the Cubs are the...well the Cubs! But I do like the choice. I'd be shocked if the Brew crew can play better. Its going to be a fun 2nd half. Even the team that looks like the best team in baseball in the first half, Boston, is not a lock just yet.

[austintx05]

Padres in the WS

I have heard everything now

[Razz]

I think the Giants and Yankees, at 10.5 and 10 games back respectively will both make very strong runs at their divisions/wild card births.

Matt Cain is going to win 10 or 11 games in the second half, Lincecum is settling in and will be a bona fide number two starter, Lowry is a tough lefty, Morris and Zito both capable of winning games though Zito needs to get his head out of his ass, and the bullpen is solid.

The Yankees have gone from having one of the worst rotations in baseball (and starting about 56 different people in the first half) to having one of the best with the apparent rebirth of Clemens and the good news about Hughes' return. Wang has been dominant, Pettite has been strong before the last two starts, and Mussina will only be better. The lineup is still great, the bullpen will be very good once it stops being overused, and the first 29 games are against teams with losing records. A 24-5 start or something and they're right back in it. They also have the suspended game in hand that they lead 8-6 against Baltimore.

[spliff]

I think I'd take a shot with the Astros at that price personally. They have been a great 2nd half team in recent years, and always start out slow, but finish strong.

they are 100-1 at sportsbook.com, I'm sure you could find 60-1 at a more reputable book, take your shot.

[spliff]

The Cubs will run away with the division before its over. They will win it by 10 games. The Cubs have one of the best lineups in baseball, if not THE best. Zambrano is a steam roller. The Cubs could easily win the World Series this year.

the best lineup in baseball - the Cubs? seriously?
you'd think the best lineup would be better than 20th in runs scored.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/...tting&type=reg

your post made me laugh.

[spliff]

if the Cubs do catch the Brewers and I can get down on the Brewers to win the division at -110, I'll take it and cash it.

[EBone]

Padres in the WS

I have heard everything now

It is my opinion and I will stick to it. If I'm wrong, I will be more than happy to come back to this thread at the beginning of October and admit my mistake.

We shall see.




E

[WileOut]

the best lineup in baseball - the Cubs? seriously?
you'd think the best lineup would be better than 20th in runs scored.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/...tting&type=reg

your post made me laugh.

They are 11th in major league baseball in batting average. They have underachieved in the 1st half. Amazing potential and they are getting better.