Sports Betting Tips

The Chicago Cubs are the heavy favorite to win the National League, but it wouldn’t be smart to ignore the other three contenders.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs are +150 to win the N.L. at JustBet.com and +350 to win the World Series.

Chicago is aiming for its first World Series title since 1908, and the fans aren’t just hoping it will happen, they are demanding it. Lou Piniella may be the perfect manager under this environment as he will stay in the limelight as much as possible and keep his players out of it.

Aside from the pressure, this team is easily good enough to win the whole thing. They are the only National League team to be in MLB’s Top 7 in runs scored. The pitching will be anchored by Carlos Zambrano, who just needs to stay healthy to dominate. Rich Harden, Ryan Dempster and Ted Lilly are three other solid starters.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are +400 to win the N.L. at JustBet.com and +1050 to win the World Series.

Los Angeles looked like they were heading for another disappointing season until the the acquisition of Manny Ramirez at the trading deadline. Motivated by a big contract at the end of the season, Ramirez has solidified the middle of the lineup and taken the pressure off their younger players.

Manager Joe Torre has three solid starters with Derek Lowe, Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda. He also has veteran Greg Maddux. Torre will likely push all the right buttons as he draws from his wealth of playoff experience with the Yankees.

One thing for sure, the Dodgers are a tough matchup right now and they start their quest Wednesday night in Chicago as +140 dogs as Lowe goes up against Dempster in Game 1.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies are +230 to win the N.L. at JustBet.com and +700 to win the World Series.

It’s been a roller coaster ride for the Phillies who rode a hot, late stretch into an NL East title. A lot of the thanks has to go to Ryan Howard who almost single handily carried the team down the stretch. Now, the rest of the lineup has to do their share for the team to advance against the Brewers.

The main question mark for this team is the starting pitching as Cole Hamels, Brett Myers and Jamie Moyer round out the Top 3. Myers spent some time in AAA this year while Moyer is 45 years-old. Fortunately for Philly, the bullpen and closer Brad Lidge should provide a lot of backup in the postseason.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers are +410 to win the N.L. at JustBet.com and +1100 to win the World Series.

Milwaukee started out September with a 5.5 game lead in the Wild Card before the implosion began. That led to the firing of manager Ned Yost and replacing him with Dale Sveum. The Brewers were able to overtake the Mets for the Wild Card but now they are without pitcher Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia is their only great starter.

Yovani Gallardo will start Game 1 in Philadelphia on Wednesday night. He is making only his second appearance since tearing a knee ligament earlier in the year. Gallardo and Milwaukee are big +180 dogs against Hamels and the Phils with Sabathia getting the start in Game 2.