MLB Totals

Nothing makes the dog days of summer and the sports calendar more interesting than a couple of MLB win total, and division bets. With opening day for all clubs right around the corner, now is a great time to find this year's San Francisco Giants, so below are the win totals for every team by division along with division odds and league and World Series odds. As all illbefrank followers know, we had the Giants in March last year, but as all Saints' fans know it is even harder to repeat. Win totals, division odds, pennant odds, and World Series odds in ( ) for each team.

NL East: Philadelphia (97) (-300) (Even)(+300): There isn't going to be much value in a team that lost the NLCS and then went out and added Cliff Lee to a staff of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels. The offense will miss Utley (out with a knee injury), and Lidge beginning the year on the DL will put the spotlight on Madsen as the closer. 97 wins seems right for a team that will not have sustained losing streaks with their starting pitching, and I could even support the over, but there isn't enough value on either the pennant or World Series odds.

Atlanta: (88.5)(+450)(10/1)(25/1): If you like any other team than Philly to win the division there is good value as evidenced by the Braves +450 division odds with a higher than average win total (88.5). Personally I am worried about Jurrijen's continued health issues, and if Lowe and Hudson can pitch as well as they did last season. The offense should be improved with the additions of Uggla and the return of Chipper Jones, but the ground ball defense will be worse for a team that starts three sinkerball pitchers. I don't see the Braves winning 89 games or contending for the division or pennant.

Florida: (81.5)(+800)(25/1)(50/1): If I was forced to take a win total in this division it would be the Marlins over the win total. I love the addition of Javier Vazquez to a power arm rotation of Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez, and Chris Volstad. The offense is young, but they will score enough runs in a division where Livan Hernandez and Mike Pelfrey's are considered aces. I don't see this team coming out of nowhere to win the division or pennant, but finishing above .500 should be in the cards for a team on the rise with power pitching and a young star who should bounce back from a tough year (Ramirez).

New York: (78.5)(+1500)(25/1)(50/1): As for a team on the other end of the pitching spectrum, with Santana out for at least a couple of months to begin the season, the Mets are counting on soft throwers Pelfrey, Niese, and knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. The staff combined with the injury history of Reyes, Beltran, and Bay, not to mention the off-field issues with the Wilpon's and K-Rod has me locking in the Mets to go under the win total of 78.5.

Washington: (72)(+1500)(60/1)(125/1): The offense should be OK with the additions of Werth, and LaRoche, and Byrce Harper should make a September appearance. Those are the positives for the Nats, while Strasburg's injury and Livan Hernandez and Jason Marquis as the top two in the rotation are clearly the negatives for Nat's fans. I don't see the Nat's losing only 90 games, so like the Mets I think they are under the win total.

NL Central: St. Louis (87.5)(+220)(8/1)(20/1): With Adam Wainwright missing the season with an elbow injury pitching coach Dave Duncan will need to be at his best this season, which is saying something for the best pitching coach in baseball. The Wainwright injury moves everyone up a slot, and I think that is too much to ask from Lohse, Westbrook, and McCellan. I also don't see the additions of washed up veterans Lance Berkman and Ryan Theriot convincing Pujols to sign long term in St. Louis. .500, and the under on this win total sounds right for Puljos' last season as a Card.

Cincinnati: (87)(+225)(10/1)(25/1): Surprise division winners last season behind a potent lineup and young starting pitching. I like the lineup to continue to put up big numbers, but Dusty Baker handling young pitchers is as troubling as a "Jersey Shore" daycare center. Johnny Cueto is going to begin the season on the DL and I don't think it is prudent to take the over or a division bet on a team where you are counting on Bronson Arroyo.

Milwaukee: (84.5)(+225)(50/1)(100/1): My pick to win the division and a team I like to make a run at a pennant and World Series title. Love the additions of Greinke and Marcum, moving Gallardo and Wolf into comfortable back end of the rotation starters. The offense is powerful and deep and a far and away leading .321 spring team batting average is not an anomaly. John Axford seizing the closer position should stabilize the bullpen, while power pitching and hitting makes this a good value bet all around in a winnable division.

Chicago: (82)(+350)(25/1)(50/1): They will be in position to contend for the division with Ramirez healthy, and the additions of Ray's Pena and Garza. They will need to get something from the top of their lineup and Carlos Zambrano to go over the win total, and that could be a major problem. The odds on Zambrano winning 15 games or being released have to be even money, so .500 sounds right for the wait till next year Cubs.

Houston: (73.5)(+2500)(40/1)(75/1): This is a team that could use a mulligan on their home field, instead of building that band box, they would have a chance in a place like Petco or Safeco with their pitching. I really like the Myers, Rodriguez, Happ trio and think they could make a run at 75 wins even with a lineup that has Hunter Pence and some speed and that is it. My biggest fear in taking the over is a deadline deal where one of the starters is moved for young position players.

Pittsburgh: (65.5)(+4000)(250/1)(500/1): Lowest win total on the board by 4.5 games and highest odds all around, ladies and gentlemen your 2011 Pittsburgh Pirates. The McCutcheon, Tabatha, Walker, Alvarez lineup has some promise, but a staff counting on the breakout of James McDonald along with career years from Maholm and Correia, is optimistic even for the most ardent Bucco fans. Winning 65 games would leave the Pirates 3 losses short of 100, and I think most Pirate fans would sign on for that right now.

NL West: San Francisco (88.5)(+190)(7/1)(15/1): I think everyone would agree that the Giants repeating is a long shot, but repeating to win the division? There is value at +190 for the Giants to win their division, with the pitching staff returning intact and an improved full season lineup, I like that play.

Colorado: (87.5)(+200)(10/1)(25/1): The Rockies are a trendy pick with MVP candidates Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki, and Cy Young contender Jimenez. I like all three, but after an offseason where they all signed big money contracts and notable holes in the outfield, at third base, and behind Jimenez, I think 88 wins is overly optimistic.

Los Angeles: (82)(+250)(15/1)(35/1): I can't say I am confident they will overtake the Giants for the division, but two years removed from the NLCS and with a new manager, I like the value at +250. John Garland and Ted Lilly are good under the radar moves and will fit in well in that home park behind Kershaw and Billingsley. Asking Kemp to revert back to 2009 form and for Furcal and Either to stay healthy might be too much for 90 wins, but I don't think 83 is out of the question.

San Diego: (75.5)(+1400)(40/1)(75/1): Losing Adrian Gonzalez takes away the only scary bat in their lineup, but it is not like they are winning games with offense anyway. This organization knows their park, and with the best bullpen in the majors I like Diego to win at least 76 games and stay relevant in this division until late summer behind starting pitchers Matt Latos and Clayton Richard. Middle infielders Orlando Hudson and Jason Bartlett are solid pickups that won't get headlines but will help with the win total.

Arizona: (72)(+1200)(50/1)(100/1): This team traded their best pitcher (Haren) at the deadline last year and then traded Mark Reynolds and allowed Adam LaRoche to walk in the offseason. Both Justin Upton and Chris Young have had roller coaster like young careers and are now being asked to carry an offense that will need to be productive with starters Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, and Joe Saunders. Sounds like under the win total to me.

AL East: Boston (96)(-165)(5/2)(9/2): Favorites to join the Phillies in the World Series after a half-a-billion offseason that saw them add Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. They definitely won the hot stove league, but will need Josh Beckett and John Lackey to return to form and transition Pappelbon out of the 9^th inning. Just like the Phillies odds, there is no value in these numbers, and it might take a Phillies/Red Sox series to get decent value.

New York: (91)(+180)(5/2)(5/1): As illbefrank readers know, Yankees under the win total is always a play I like to make, they could set this at (81) and I would have a hard time taking the over. 3/5^th of the starting rotation is A.J. Burnett, Ivan Nova, and Freddie Garcia, so it will be imperative for the Yanks to trend water until they can unload the farm system for a veteran pitcher at the deadline. If you don't like the Red Sox moves, there is value in the division odds.

Tampa: (86)(+750)(10/1)(25/1): Tampa is testing the theory that bullpen productivity can be manufactured every year, after allowing 6 of their AL best bullpen to leave in the winter. The Rays are also counting on Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon to discover the fountain of youth with 1 year deals for both. The young starting pitching would be enough to contend in almost every division, but this year looks like the tipping point for the Rays.

Toronto: (75.5)(+1400)(25/1)(50/1): The Blue Jays led the majors with 257 homers last season, and have one of the deepest systems of strong young arms, so the future is bright. I just don't think they are at that point this season, too many of their pitchers are unproven at the major league level and the offense is more enticing to fantasy owners than win totals.

Baltimore: (74.5)(+2000)(50/1)(100/1): They played over .500 baseball since Buck Showalter took over last season and they have added some professional hitters this winter in Guerrero, Lee, and Reynolds. Showalter always gets the most out of his team and with young pitchers Brain Matusz and Jeremy Guthrie and a solid bullpen, I like the O's to scratch out a few more than 75 wins this season.

AL Central: Minnesota (87)(+165)(8/1)(20/1): The Twins are the perennial Central favorites and with their new ballpark have been able to pay their stars while still developing young players. The Twins need Justin Morneau to return to health and help Joe Mauer in the middle of what is otherwise an ordinary lineup. With other teams in the division improved and the loss of their bullpen and questions about the lineup, I don't see the Twins winning the division or 87 games this season.

Chicago White Sox: (84.5)(+165)(15/1)(35/1): My pick to win this division while winning over 85 games. The Buerhle, Danks, Floyd, Jackson, Peavy rotation doesn't sound overly imposing, but it is solid 1 through 5 and is the best in the division. Adam Dunn was an ideal addition to a lineup and home ballpark that will allow him to take advantage of his strengths (power and OBP). I like the value on this team winning the AL and contending for the World Series as well.

Detroit: (83.5)(+205)(12/1)(30/1): I like the Tigers to contend with the Sox's for the division title and be in the heat of the Wild Card chase. Miguel Cabrera will hit, even with the off field embarrassments and Austin Jackson has a chance for a breakout type year hitting at the top of a very professional lineup. Ace Justin Verlander looks like he is poised for a Cy Young type year this spring and Brad Penny could be a vital addition to the back end of the rotation. I like the Tigers to go over the win total and the value of the division odds.

Cleveland: (71)(+2,000)(100/1)(200/1): I could see Cleveland staying out of the AL Central cellar and winning 72 games due to the fact that they have two major league starters in Carmona and Masterson. They will need Choo to continue to produce like an unheralded star, Santana to be as good as advertised, and Sizemore and Hafner to be average. If these things happen and the stars align, anything is possible, especially the day after the Cavs pounded LeBron and the Heat.

Kansas City: (70)(+4000)(100/1)(200/1): The Royals farm system is the best baseball has seen in years, the lineup has some potential in Butler and Ka'aihue and in Soria they have the best closer in baseball, but they will be hard pressed to win 70 games with a starting rotation of Luke Hochevar, Jeff Francis, Kyle Davies, Bruce Chen, and Vin Mazzaro.

NL West: Texas (88.5)(+145)(8/1)(20/1): It seemed like Cliff Lee was there for longer than half a season, I guess that is what happens when you lead a team to their first ever World Series. The division odds look good for a team that if healthy will form a potent lineup; the addition of Beltre and a full season of Borbon in center will make pitching in Texas easier. Wilson, Hunter, and Lewis all took major strides last season and a trade for a reliever would enable the Rangers to replace Lee with Feliz. In a watered down division the Rangers still look like the team to beat.

Los Angeles: (85)(+205)(12/1)(30/1): The Angels have a better rotation on paper, than Texas, so +205 to win the division is an easy bet to talk yourself into. I would feel much more confident about over the 85 win total if Kendrys Morales was healthy and hitting in the middle of a tissue paper soft lineup. With questions about the lineup and bullpen, 85 wins is optimistic even with a rotation that can go four deep with potential All-Stars.

Oakland: (82.5)(+185)(25/1)(50/1): The A's have a little homeless man's 2010 Giants feel with a rotation of four young power pitchers. Cahill was an All-Star and Braden through a perfect game last season, but Brett Anderson and Gio Gonzalez have the best stuff of the four. The off-season additions of Matsui, DeJesus, and Willingham, should help the worst offensive team in the league, but they will have to catch Giants like magic to make the division and pennant odds pay out. I do like at least 83 wins for this team led by the starters, so that is solid play.

Seattle: (70)(+1600)(60/1)(125/1): The Mariners have two superstars in Ichiro and Felix Hernandez, I like Ichiro to take a run at the batting title and King Felix to win a second Cy Young with less than 15 wins, and there in lies the problem. 70 wins is too optimistic for a team without a power threat in the lineup, and no depth behind Felix. The Mariners found out you can't win games 0-0 last year and their total this year is about 5 games too high.