MLB 2011 Division Odds and Win Totals – AL Central
Teams have reported to 2011 Major League Baseball training camps and it’s time to start our division-by-division betting odds and team by team season win totals MLB baseball betting previews for the year.
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The Minnesota Twins rose to the top of the AL Central in 2010 with a record of 94-68, but made quick exit from the postseason by getting swept by New York 3-0 in the ALDS.
Chicago’s 88-74 record was good enough for second-place in the division, but it still finished six games out of first. Detroit’s season went on a downward spiral after the All-Star break to finish an even .500 at 81-81.
Cleveland stayed out of the Central’s basement by two games to take fourth-place in the division with a record 69-93, leaving the Royals to languish in the cellar for the second season in a row at 67-95.
Here is a look at each team in the AL Central’s odds to win the division this season as well as the over/under on their season win total as provided by Sportsinteraction.com.
Minnesota Twins +160
Win Total: 86.5
The Twin’s are hoping to pull out a few more wins with a healthy Joe Nathan as their closer, but their bullpen in general remains fairly inexperienced. They added Paul Bargas and Tsuyoshi Nishioka which should help keep this team near the top in the division, but there are still health concerns with both Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau that could send this team in the opposite direction in 2011.
Chicago White Sox +175
Win Total: 85.5
Chicago acquired Adam Dunn this offseason in an effort to help a lineup that was ranked seventh in the AL last season in total runs. A big question mark for the White Sox is can an aging Paul Konerko put up the kind of numbers he did last season? The good news in Chicago is that it has one of the better starting rotations in the division led by Jake Peavy. If he can return to form, the White Sox could be back on top this year.
Detroit Tigers +200
Win Total: 84
Much of the Tigers’ success this season could hinge on Migual Cabrera’s ability to put his off-field issues behind and generate numbers like he did last year. If that is the case then Detroit looks like the team to beat in the Central this season. Staff ‘ace’ Justin Verlander has a strong supporting cast in the rest of the starting rotation and the addition of Victor Martinez to go along with Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez should help bolster the Tiger’s offensive production.
Cleveland Indians +1800
Win Total: 71.5
The Indians continue to build their team around young talent with players such as Matt LaPorta and Carlos Santana but there are still too many holes to fill to challenge within the division this season. Fausto Carmona is a proven starter, but things thin out quickly from there. The long-term health of Grady Sizemore and Asdrubal Cabrera will always remains an issue. This team could win 75 games this season, but that would be under the best of conditions.
Kansas City Royals +2500
Win Total: 68.5
Even more so than Cleveland, the Royals will cast their fortunes with a youthful batch of prospects in hopes of climbing back into contention in the Central. The loss of Zach Greinke to Milwaukee will certainly not help their cause as their starting rotation is one of the weakest in the league. Offensively, Kansas City continues to build for the future and hope for the present which probably means another season of bringing up the rear in the division.
