AL and NL Central Division Early Betting Odds and Heavy Favorites

AL and NL Central Division Early Betting Odds and Favorites To Win

American League Central

In 2021 Vegas, is predicting that the American League Central will have a little bit of a shakeup at the top compared to 2020. The 2020 MLB regular season was nothing like we have seen before due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The regular season started up on July 23 and was completed by September 27, playing only 60 games.

Playing almost one-third fewer games meant every game mattered, and getting going quickly was important. Thankfully the MLB is expected to return to a normal 162 game schedule in 2021. In 2020 the Minnesota Twins won a very close AL Central race followed by the Indians, White Sox, Royals, and Tigers. Kansas City and Detroit are expected to compete at the bottom of the standings this season, attempting to stay out of the last place. 

It is going to be interesting which team wins the AL and NL Central division.

Chicago White Sox (-143)

The young Chicago White Sox are expected to make plenty of noise in the upcoming MLB season and are the clear favorite. The White Sox have talented young players all over the field. Led by defending AL MVP Jose Abreu, the Sox have a dynamic infield with the electric shortstop Tim Beckham and Yoan Moncado at second. Chicago also has two emerging outfields in Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez. Oh, and don’t forget a loaded pitching staff with Lucas Giolito, Michael Kopech, and they also brought over Liam Hendricks for the bullpen. This is a great bet to take early before the line moves early in the season.

Minnesota Twins (+175)

Minnesota is the defending AL Central Champion. Minnesota will have an uphill battle trying to keep up with the White Sox as they have had plenty of changes to their team a year ago. Minnesota is expected to move on from pitcher Jake Odorizzi and Marwin Gonzalez and has already moved on from Eddie Rosario. Minnesota has brought in shortstop Andrelton Simmons and relief pitcher Alex Colome who will make big contributions. If the Twins stumble out of the gate, it could make things impossible to catch the White Sox.

Cleveland Indians (+650)

The Cleveland Indians’ window to win a World Series appears to have closed as many of the key players from the 2016 World Series runner-up team are gone. Cleveland still has two of the best players in the league in pitcher Shane Bieber and third baseman Jose Ramirez. Still, after trading all-star shortstop Francisco Lindor, the odds are stacked against Cleveland to contend in this division.

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Detroit Tigers (+4000)

Headlined by a thirty-seven-year-old Miguel Cabrera and pitcher Michael Fulmer, the Tigers have a roster filled with many holes. Detroit finished last in the division last season and could quickly end up there again. 

Kansas City Royals (+4000)

The Royals are not title contenders for 2021, but this team is better than people are giving them credit. Led by veterans Salvador Perez and Hunter Dozier, expect the Royals to be a decent team this season.

Prediction: Chicago White Sox win the AL Central relatively easily.

National League Central

Similar to the American League Central division, Vegas is expecting some changes at the top of the National League Central division.

St. Louis Cardinals (+110)

St. Louis is the clear favorite after acquiring all-star third baseman Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies. Arenado’s bat being added to an already deep lineup and a solid pitching staff will allow the Cardinals to make some noise in the division and the National League.

Cincinnati Red (+310)

Cincinnati is a decent competitor to the Cardinals for the division. The Red’s let pitcher Trevor Bauer walk in free agency, destroying a three-headed monster pitching staff already with Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo. 

Chicago Cubs (+380)

The Cubs won the NL Central a year ago. Chicago has a deep lineup but somewhat of a weak pitching staff after trading away Yu Darvish. With speculation that all-star Kris Bryant could be the next Cub traded, be cautious when looking at the Cubs to repeat as NL Central champions. 

Milwaukee (+380)

In 2020 the Brewers struggled a ton. With their best player Christian Yelich batting .205, they couldn’t have expected to be contenders. Yelich needs to return to MVP form to give the Brewers a chance at the division. 

Pittsburgh Pirates (+5000)

The Pirates were plain old awful last year, winning only nineteen games. Do not bet on the Pirates to win this division; it just isn’t going to happen. 

Prediction: St. Louis Cardinals