2011 NLDS Betting Lines & Predictions
The article below was our post for the 2010 NLDS. When we get to it, we’ll update this post with information about the 2011 NLDS series’.
The National League proved to be just as exciting at the end of this season as the American League, which doesn’t happen very often. Two NL teams made the playoffs on the last day of the regular season (Braves & Giants) and they’ll actually be playing against each other in the 1st round series. The other series will include the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds. All four of these teams are solid and have a chance at winning the NLDS. Let’s take a look at the latest NLDS lines.
Cincinnati Reds +210 vs. Philadelphia Phillies –280
The Phillies have been the team to beat in the NL the past few years and it’ll be that way again. Philadelphia finished the season with a 97-65 record whereas the Reds posted a 91-71 record. Cincinnati hasn’t made the playoffs in 15 years so they don’t have any experience coming into the series, which I expect to be the difference in this matchup. Philadelphia has suffered some injuries this season, but those players have returned to the line-up and are ready for the playoffs.
The big news this year for the Phillies will be their pitching staff, which includes Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels – arguably the best pitching staff in baseball. Cincinnati has the best offense in the league this season and will be a great test for the three Philadelphia aces, but I don’t think they’ll be able to do much damage against Oswalt or Halladay. Joey Votto is going to need a ton of help from other players like Bruce, Cabrera, Edmonds and Rolen.
I’m going with the Phillies and their experience to take down the Reds. In fact, they’re my early favorite to win the 2010 World Series. Below are links to our favorite online sports betting site. If you want to place a bet, just click the links.
Atlanta Braves +130 vs. San Francisco Giants –160
The San Francisco Giants are being listed as heavy favorites coming into this series, but I don’t think it’s going to be quite as lopsided as the bookies are seeing it. Both teams barely squeezed into the playoffs and the season series between these two teams is at 4-3 in favor of the Braves. Atlanta will be sending pitchers Lowe, Hanson and Hudson to the mound in the series but the Giants have the advantage with Lincecum, Sanchez, Cain and Bumgarner. The Giants pitchers were nearly unhittable in September, and as experienced veterans, don’t expect them to choke now.
San Francisco has struggled on offense, but they did bring in some big bats that include Aubrey Huff who is always a threat to go deep. They’ll need to be clicking on offense if they expect to walk past the Braves and into the next round of the playoffs. Atlanta has more power coming from rookie Jason Heyward, Derrek Lee, Brian McCann and Alex Gonzalez who was acquired from the Blue Jays at the trade deadline. I’m taking the Giants in this series, as they have home field advantage in the series and a much better pitching staff. I always like being on the side with the better pitching come playoff time and will be riding the Giants until they meet the Phillies in the 2nd round.
