Hi everyone, hope the weekend went well. We are only three days away from Opening Day 2021. We are onto the NL Central now in what is the weakest division in baseball. That being said this should be a very competitive division this season, let’s see what happens shall we?
5th: Pirates 65-97
Prop Bets: Over 58.5 Wins (Medium wager)
Projected Lineup
- 2B Adam Frazier
- 3B KeBryan Hayes
- 1B Colin Moran
- CF Bryan Reynolds
- RF Gregory Polanco
- LF Anthony Alford
- C Jacob Stallings
- SS Kevin Newman
Rotation
- Chad Kuhl
- Mitch Keller
- Tyler Anderson
- Jonathan Brubaker
- Steven Brault
Bullpen
CL: Richard Rodriguez
Setup: Chris Stratton
Setup: Kyle Crick
Setup: Duane Underwood
Overview: The Pirates have officially torn it apart and are eyeing the future. To say that 2021 is going to be a lean season in the Steel city would be an understatement. My complaint is for the fan bases when teams go the tear it down to the shrubs route. It’s hard to root for a team that is maybe not trying to lose, but the Pirates certainly aren’t trying to win right now with very little experience across the roster. With all this being said the NL Central is such a weak division I believe the Pirates will not have the worst record in baseball and believe there is value in taking the over 58.5 wins. That over/under win total is absurd, especially in a division where no team is likely to get to 90 wins.
4th: Cubs 75-87
Best Prop Bet: Under 78.5 (Small Wager)
Projected Lineup
- CF Ian Happ
- C Wilson Contreras
- 1B Anthony Rizzo
- 3B Kris Bryant
- LF Joc Pederson
- SS Javier Baez
- RF Jason Heyward
- 2B David Bote
Rotation
- Kyle Hendricks
- Jake Arrieta
- Kyle Davies
- Adbert Alzolay
- Trevor Williams
Bullpen
CL: Craig Kimbrel
Setup: Andrew Chafin
Setup: Brandon Workman
Setup: Ryan Tepera
Overview: If you look up and down the Cubs lineup there are a lot of big names there (Rizzo, Bryant, Baez, Contreras). The question you would have for me is how do you not have the Cubs contenting in 2021. My answer is look at the pitching, or lack there of. Kyle Hendricks and Kyle Davies are both solid and very underrated pitchers atop this rotation, but Jake Arrieta hasn’t been great since his first stint with the Cubs and the bullpen is going to be a huge liability. The Cubs being sellers at the trade deadline would be something and fun to see, Bryant, Rizzo, Hendricks and Contreras could bring a huge haul back if they are moved in July. The Cubs could contend in this weak division, but I personally do not see (Vegas agrees). The Cubs could be the big sellers at this years deadline.
3rd: Reds 79-83
Best Prop Bet: Under 81.5 Wins (Small Wager)
Projected Lineup
- LF Jesse Winker
- RF Nick Castellanos
- 1B Joey Votto
- SS Engenio Suarez
- 3B Mike Moustakas
- CF Nick Senzel
- C Tucker Barnhart
- 2B Jonathan India
Rotation
- Luis Castillo
- Tyler Mahle
- Jeff Hoffman
- Wade Miley
- Michael Lorenzen
Bullpen
CL: Amir Garrett
Setup: Sean Dolittle
Setup: Lucas Simms
Setup: Cam Bedrosian
Overview: The Reds were the team to get hurt the most by a shortened 2020 Season. With the run prevention the Reds had last year I think they would have run away with the NL Central with an extra 102 games to play with. Well last season is last season and the Reds have lost some of that run prevention and look to be more of an average team heading into this season. Unlike the Cubs I do believe there is potential for the Reds to contend in a weak division. The main weakness of the Reds will be the defense. There isn’t an elite defender amongst this group and will affect the run prevention throughout the season. Also not having Sonny Gray to start the year will hurt some but the rotation is still very solid even without Gray. The bullpen is solid as well on the back end. The lineup is a lot of mashers but unless Joey Votto can get back to pre 2020 Votto there isn’t an above average hitter in this group. I see a competitive but slightly below 500 season in the Queen City.
2nd: Brewers 85-77
Best Prop Bet: Over 83.5 Wins (Very small wager)
Projected Lineup
- 2B Kolten Wong
- CF Lorenzo Cain
- LF Christian Yelich
- 1B Keston Hiura
- 3B Travis Shaw
- RF Jackie Bradley Jr.
- SS Orlando Arica
- C Omar Narvaez
Rotation
- Brandon Woodruff
- Corbin Burnes
- Brett Anderson
- Adrian Houser
- Freddy Peralta
Bullpen
CL: Josh Hader
Setup: Brent Suter
Setup: Devin Williams
Setup: Drew Rasmussen
Overview: Expect the Brewers to be competitive again in 2021. The Brewers aren’t elite (outside of outfield defense) in any area but they also aren’t weak in any area either. Well rounded baseball teams that aren’t elite anywhere are right around 85 wins which is where I have the Brewers pegged. The lineup will be solid, especially since I expect Christian Yelich to be more near the 2018-2019 MVP Christian Yelich than the hitting .205 what the hell happened 2020 Christian Yelich. Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes aren’t household names but name me a 1-2 top of the rotation that has more pure filthy stuff in the game right now (I know the law firm of Bauer and Buehler are raising their beer right now among others). The Bullpen is also solid so why only 85 wins. The back of the lineup, back end of the rotation and middle relief are all very suspect and will cost Brewers some games this season. I think there is value in the Beer makers at +320 to win this division. But I will take the Cardinals to take a series from the Brewers in the last week and clinch this division on the last weekend of the season.
1st: Cardinals 87-75 (3rd seed in NL)
Best Prop Bet: Dylan Carlson Rookie of the Year +750 (Medium wager)
Projected Lineup
- 2B Tommy Edman
- 1B Paul Goldschmidt
- 3B Nolan Arenado
- SS Paul DeJong
- CF Dylan Carlson
- C Yadier Molina
- LF Tyler O’Neill
- RF Justin Williams
Rotation
- Jack Flaherty
- Adam Wainwright
- Carlos Martinez
- John Gant
- Daniel Poncedeleon
Bullpen
CL: Giovanny Gallegos
Setup: Jordan Hicks
Setup: Andrew Miller
Setup: Alex Reyes
Overview: In what is a weak but very competitive division I am picking the baseball red birds to win this division and here’s why. This is by far the best overall pitching staff in this division. Jack Flaherty, Adam Wainwright and Carlos Martinez are a solid top of the rotation. The bullpen runs six deep as well, which most teams in baseball do not boast. What will doom the Cardinals in the playoffs is the ability to score runs. The top of the lineup is outstanding, especially with who I predict to be an impact player and rookie of the year in Dylan Carlson helping out already established stars Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt. But there are a lot of outs in the bottom of this lineup and even with the players named at the top the Cardinals will be lucky to be league average in total offense. However, because of the pitching and defense I like the Cards to get back to the postseason again (something they do as consistently as any team in the game).