Cnotes 2021 Major League Baseball Transactions, News, Notes, Picks Etc. !!

[CNOTES]

Wednesday’s 6-pack
NBA teams who’ve gone over the total the most:
29-13— New Orleans
28-15— Brooklyn
26-16— Denver
26-17— Sacramento
25-16— Milwaukee
25-16— Indiana


Americans who have died from COVID-19: 542,379
PLEASE wear a mask (over your nose/mouth) when you go out.

Quote of the Day
“I used to work in a fire hydrant factory. You couldn’t park anywhere near the place.”
Steven Wright


Wednesday’s quiz
Which three major league teams has Joe Girardi managed?


Tuesday’s quiz
Tim Floyd was USC’s coach in 2007, last time they made the Sweet 16; he coached the Chicago Bulls from 1998-2002.


Monday’s quiz
When the Cubs won the World Series in 2016, they beat the Cleveland Indians.


***************************


Wednesday’s Den: Mid-week musings……..


13) The movie Little Big League was on FS1 last night; the owner of the Minnesota Twins passes away, leaves the team to his 12-year old grandson, who then names himself manager of the Twins. Pretty good movie.


The kid’s mom is played by Ashley Crow; the movie was made in 1994.


In real life, Ashley Crow’s son is Pete Crow-Armstrong, who was drafted in the first round last year by the New York Mets. Crow-Armstrong played at Harvard-Westlake HS in Los Angeles, which once had Lucas Giolito, Jack Flaherty, Max Fried on the team at the same time.


Crow-Armstrong turns 19 tomorrow; in 11 at-bats this spring, he’s 1-11 with four runs scored. This year will be his first full season as a pro.


12) Mets’ 2B Jeff MacNeil was hit by pitches three times in a game last week, by three different pitchers; that doesn’t happen much.


11) Last Mets’ note; former New Jersey governor Chris Christie was recently named to the Mets’ board of directors; hopefully they didn’t put him in charge of parking.


10) Atlantic 14 tried something different this year; they played the first three rounds of their conference tournament March 3-6 in Richmond, then held the final March 14 in Dayton, assuming the two finalists would get on a bus after the game and make the short drive to Indiana, where they would hunker down safely for the NCAA’s. On paper, it made sense.


In reality, VCU couldn’t play in the NCAA Tournament because they had positive COVID tests in their program. Would it have been different had they just played the final in Richmond? We’ll never know.


9) Oregon State Beavers have covered 15 of their last 18 games as an underdog, with 11 wins outright. Beavers play Loyola Saturday, in the Sweet 16.


8) There is an NBA rule that no referee can work the same team’s games more than nine teams in a season; that rule has been waived this season, because of COVID protocols. Referees aren’t traveling as much.


7) Back in the 70’s, Astros’ pitching coach Brent Strom was a major league pitcher; he got hurt, was the second big leaguer to have what is now known as Tommy John surgery. Had he been the first, it would be known as Brent Strom surgery.


6) Al Leiter pitched in the major leagues for 19 years, won 162 games; his son Jack is a pitcher at Vanderbilt now, a highly-touted prospect who is expected to be a first round draft pick this year.


Saturday, Jack Leiter threw a no-hitter, struck out 16 South Carolina hitters, throwing 124 pitches; college managers aren’t as crazy about pitch counts as professional managers.


My question is this: How many major league pitchers will throw 124+ pitches in a game this year? Won’t be many, my guess is three or four.


5) First round of the 16-team NIT saw underdogs go 6-2 ATS; second round is Thursday.


4) One thing handicappers missed out on this season was taking a look at an Ivy League team in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Over last ten tournaments, Ivy League squads are 8-2 ATS in their first round games.


When the Ivy League teams come back next season after a year off, it’ll be interesting to see how much different these teams are. Last time we saw them, Ivy League was the #16 conference in the country, right in the middle nationally.


3) One of best parts of watching spring training games on MLB Network is the interviews with managers during the game. You can pick up some info here; also good when teams combine broadcasting crews for games. Marlins-Cardinals, Mariners-Rockies have done this.


But when you think of managers being interviewed during a game, can you imagine going back a few years and having Earl Weaver, Dick Williams or Billy Martin being interviewed during a game, even an exhibition game? Thing would have to be on a 7-second delay, for sure.


2) Happy 90th birthday to William Shatner; the actor who became famous as Captain Kirk on Star Trek– he still does commercials that air on Milwaukee Brewer games.


1) Went to the grocery store today, picked up a few things, no big deal, but also walked around the store and located exits, just in case what happened in Boulder ever happens here. Doesn’t hurt to be prepared, but its a sad commentary on our current situation.

 

[CNOTES]

THURSDAY, MARCH 25
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


TB at ATL 01:05 PM
TB +105
+500


CIN at CHW 04:05 PM
CHW -135
+500


ARI at KC 04:05 PM
KC -130
+500


SEA at OAK 04:05 PM
OAK -140
+500


LAA at COL 04:10 PM
LAA +100
+500


MIN at BOS 06:05 PM
BOS -130
+500


NYY at PHI 06:05 PM
PHI +110
+500


PIT at BAL 06:05 PM
PIT +110
+500


WAS at MIA 06:05 PM
MIA +100
+500


STL at HOU 06:05 PM
STL +105
+500


DET at TOR 06:37 PM
DET +145
+500


LAD at CHC 09:05 PM
CHC +130
+500


TEX at SD 09:40 PM
SD -170
+500


MIL at SF 10:05 PM
SF -125
+500






DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD




03/23/2021 6-6-2 50.00% -625 Detail
03/22/2021 7-4-2 61.54% +1925 Detail
03/21/2021 9-4-1 67.86% +1850 Detail
03/20/2021 8-4-2 64.29% +2175 Detail
03/19/2021 7-6-1 53.57% +275 Detail
03/18/2021 6-0-1 92.86% +3450 Detail
03/17/2021 6-7-1 46.43% -850Detail
03/16/2021 8-5-0 61.54% +1375 Detail
03/15/2021 3-3-1 50.00% -550 Detail
03/14/2021 4-7-2 38.46% -2025 Detail
03/13/2021 5-8-1 39.29% -2100 Detail
03/12/2021 8-6-0 57.14% +325 Detail
03/11/2021 8-7-2 52.94% +500 Detail
03/10/2021 4-9-1 32.14% -2850 Detail
03/09/2021 6-7-1 46.43% -550 Detail
03/08/2021 4-3-2 55.56% +500 Detail
03/07/2021 3-9-1 26.92% -3625 Detail
03/06/2021 4-7-1 37.50% -2300 Detail
03/05/2021 7-5-2 57.14% +900 Detail
03/04/2021 7-6-1 53.57% +225 Detail
03/03/2021 5-7-2 42.86% -1775 Detail
03/02/2021 7-4-3 60.71% +1575 Detail
03/01/2021 1-4-2 28.57% -1850 Detail
02/28/2021 4-9-0 30.77% -3270 Detail

 

[CNOTES]

THURSDAY, MARCH 25
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


TB at ATL 01:05 PM
TB +105
+500


CIN at CHW 04:05 PM
CHW -135
+500


ARI at KC 04:05 PM
KC -130
+500


SEA at OAK 04:05 PM
OAK -140
+500


LAA at COL 04:10 PM
LAA +100
+500


MIN at BOS 06:05 PM
BOS -130
+500


NYY at PHI 06:05 PM
PHI +110
+500


PIT at BAL 06:05 PM
PIT +110
+500


WAS at MIA 06:05 PM
MIA +100
+500


STL at HOU 06:05 PM
STL +105
+500


DET at TOR 06:37 PM
DET +145
+500


LAD at CHC 09:05 PM
CHC +130
+500


TEX at SD 09:40 PM
SD -170
+500


MIL at SF 10:05 PM
SF -125
+500






DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD


03/25/2021 6-6-2 50.00% -100 Detail
03/24/2021 7-5-0 58.53% +525 Detail
03/23/2021 6-6-2 50.00% -625 Detail
03/22/2021 7-4-2 61.54% +1925 Detail
03/21/2021 9-4-1 67.86% +1850 Detail
03/20/2021 8-4-2 64.29% +2175 Detail
03/19/2021 7-6-1 53.57% +275 Detail
03/18/2021 6-0-1 92.86% +3450 Detail
03/17/2021 6-7-1 46.43% -850Detail
03/16/2021 8-5-0 61.54% +1375 Detail
03/15/2021 3-3-1 50.00% -550 Detail
03/14/2021 4-7-2 38.46% -2025 Detail
03/13/2021 5-8-1 39.29% -2100 Detail
03/12/2021 8-6-0 57.14% +325 Detail
03/11/2021 8-7-2 52.94% +500 Detail
03/10/2021 4-9-1 32.14% -2850 Detail
03/09/2021 6-7-1 46.43% -550 Detail
03/08/2021 4-3-2 55.56% +500 Detail
03/07/2021 3-9-1 26.92% -3625 Detail
03/06/2021 4-7-1 37.50% -2300 Detail
03/05/2021 7-5-2 57.14% +900 Detail
03/04/2021 7-6-1 53.57% +225 Detail
03/03/2021 5-7-2 42.86% -1775 Detail
03/02/2021 7-4-3 60.71% +1575 Detail
03/01/2021 1-4-2 28.57% -1850 Detail
02/28/2021 4-9-0 30.77% -3270 Detail

 

[CNOTES]

Friday’s 6-pack
Top NHL teams at going over the total:
— Philadelphia Flyers 22-9 over
— Winnipeg Jets 17-13
— Minnesota Wild 16-13
— Phoenix Coyotes 18-14
— St Louis Blues 17-14
— Las Vegas Golden Knights 16-13
— Washington Capitals 16-13


Americans who have died from COVID-19: 545,357
PLEASE wear a mask (over your nose/mouth) when you go out.


Quote of the Day
“I choose a lazy person to do a hard job. Because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.”
Bill Gates


Friday’s quiz
Which major league manager has been in his current job the longest?


Thursday’s quiz
Jimmy Chitwood was the big star for Hickory High in Hoosiers; he wore number 15.


Wednesday’s quiz
Joe Girardi has managed the Marlins, Bronx and Philadelphia.


********************


Friday’s Den: Random stuff with weekend here…….


13) We know that spring training stats don’t mean anything, but when you’re 1-33 this spring at the plate, when do you get upset/concerned, even if you’re a 10-year major league veteran?


St Louis IF Matt Carpenter is struggling mightily in exhibition games; the season starts in less than a week. Are the Cardinals worried? Should they be? Should he be?


Watched the Cardinals’ game Wednesday; Carpenter had a fly ball caught at the fence in CF, so he might not be far off. If he goes 2-4 on Opening Day, all will be forgotten.


12) Bad news for the White Sox; LF Eloy Jimenez tore a pectoral muscle Wednesday, when he tried to reach over the fence to rob an opponent of a home run. He is expected to be out for 5-6 months, meaning he will miss just about all of this season.


11) 68-year old Lon Kruger retired from coaching, ending a really good 44-year career; his son Kevin just became head coach at UNLV— there are rumblings that Lon Kruger is moving back to his old Las Vegas home— he coached the Rebels as recently as 2011, still has a house there.


Kruger is one of only three coaches to lead five schools to the NCAA Tournament; he also coached the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA for a while.


10) Apparently Washington owner Dan Snyder is going to spend $840M to buy out the other owners in the Washington NFL team. What a character this guy must be.


At some point, someone has to write a book/make a movie about Snyder and how he runs his team; he’s had some interesting head coaches- Mike Shanahan, Steve Spurrier, Joe Gibbs, Marty Schottenheimer, Ron Rivera. You’d think they’d win more.


Snyder bought the team in 1999; since then, Washington is 2-4 in playoff games.


9) Back when I was a kid, in the mid-70’s before ESPN, before the Interweb, before lot of stuff, we had this channel on our cable system, channel 3 on the box. It was tremendous.


All it was was this: a light blue background with messages typed on it.


On weekdays, it was a stock market ticker, but at 7pm, that shut down and it became a sports ticker, with scores updated as they happened. On NFL Sundays, they’d post scores as they happened, as in:


TD LAR
Ferragamo 23 TD pass to Waddy
LAR 24-17, 10:43 left in 3rd


The amount of time I spent with that channel on was probably excessive, but after the 4:00 NFL TV game ended, with no Sunday night games back then, the quickest way you’d find out the other late scores was to have channel 3 on. We always had channel 3 on.


8) When MTV started in 1981, channel 3 used MTV as its background music, back when Rosie O’Donnell was actually funny. So you got entertained while you followed the day’s action.


Of course, it wasn’t always good news; New Year’s Eve 1974, I went bowling with friends, came home, put channel 3 on and found out that my hero, Catfish Hunter, had left the A’s as a free agent to sign for more money with another team. 15-year old me wasn’t happy.


No bueno.


7) NIT games Thursday:
— Mississippi State 68, Richmond 67— Bulldogs hit a 3-pointer with 0:01.3 left.
— Colorado State 65, NC State 61— Teams combined to make 8-45 on arc. Yikes.
— Memphis 59, Boise State 56— Tigers won 12 of their last 15 games.
— Louisiana Tech 72, Western Kentucky 65— Tech made 11-19 on arc, WKU 9-30.


6) This has to be a strange year for baseball front offices; not only are they playing a 162-game season, after last year’s shortened 60-game season, but the minor leagues are re-booting, after not doing anything last year. Thats over 100 teams, spread out all over the country. Lot of work to do getting everything re-organized.


5) They were talking on TV about sending players to the minor leagues and do players get upset when they sent down?


Can’t be as bad as when NFL players get cut; in the NFL, you’re cutting the guy loose, out on the street, where he has to find a new job. In baseball, they’re getting sent to the minors, but they could be back to the major leagues very quickly- they’re not losing their job, just getting sent down to the next level.


4) Joe Flacco signed on to be the Philadelphia Eagles’ backup QB this season.


3) As I type this, Charlotte Hornets are #4 seed in Eastern Conference, even though they’ve given up more points than they scored this season. If the playoffs started right now, Hornets would host a first round playoff series.


Last time a team scored fewer points than they gave up, and still hosted a first round playoff series that year was 2008, when Cleveland did it.


2) As of 2pm Thursday there were 840 kids in the college basketball transfer portal; there are 357 Division I basketball teams, so you do the math. Lot of players jumping ship.


1) Congrats to the great sportscaster Dick Stockton, who retired this week after a 55-year broadcasting career. 55 years!!!


He was doing Red Sox games on channel 38 in Boston when I was in high school, back in 1975. He called the game well, but it was never about him. Enjoy your retirement!!!

 

[CNOTES]

FRIDAY, MARCH 26
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


DET at PIT 01:05 PM
PIT -125
+500


BOS at TB 01:05 PM
BOS +120
+500


COL at CLE 04:05 PM
CLE -135
+500


SF at CHC 04:05 PM
CHC -125
+500


CIN at ARI 04:10 PM
ARI -120
+500


CHW at MIL 04:10 PM
CHW -105
+500


ATL at MIN 06:05 PM
MIN -130
+500


MIA at HOU 06:05 PM
HOU -140
+500


WAS at NYM 06:10 PM
NYM -140
+500


BAL at NYY 06:35 PM
NYY -200
+500


PHI at TOR 06:37 PM
PHI +130
+500


OAK at LAD 09:05 PM
OAK +135
+500


KC at TEX 09:05 PM
TEX -120
+500


SEA at SD 09:40 PM
SD -170
+500






DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD


03/25/2021 6-6-2 50.00% -100 Detail
03/24/2021 7-5-0 58.53% +525 Detail
03/23/2021 6-6-2 50.00% -625 Detail
03/22/2021 7-4-2 61.54% +1925 Detail
03/21/2021 9-4-1 67.86% +1850 Detail
03/20/2021 8-4-2 64.29% +2175 Detail
03/19/2021 7-6-1 53.57% +275 Detail
03/18/2021 6-0-1 92.86% +3450 Detail
03/17/2021 6-7-1 46.43% -850Detail
03/16/2021 8-5-0 61.54% +1375 Detail
03/15/2021 3-3-1 50.00% -550 Detail
03/14/2021 4-7-2 38.46% -2025 Detail
03/13/2021 5-8-1 39.29% -2100 Detail
03/12/2021 8-6-0 57.14% +325 Detail
03/11/2021 8-7-2 52.94% +500 Detail
03/10/2021 4-9-1 32.14% -2850 Detail
03/09/2021 6-7-1 46.43% -550 Detail
03/08/2021 4-3-2 55.56% +500 Detail
03/07/2021 3-9-1 26.92% -3625 Detail
03/06/2021 4-7-1 37.50% -2300 Detail
03/05/2021 7-5-2 57.14% +900 Detail
03/04/2021 7-6-1 53.57% +225 Detail
03/03/2021 5-7-2 42.86% -1775 Detail
03/02/2021 7-4-3 60.71% +1575 Detail
03/01/2021 1-4-2 28.57% -1850 Detail
02/28/2021 4-9-0 30.77% -3270 Detail

 

[CNOTES]

FRIDAY, MARCH 26
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


DET at PIT 01:05 PM
PIT -125
+500


BOS at TB 01:05 PM
BOS +120
+500


COL at CLE 04:05 PM
CLE -135
+500


SF at CHC 04:05 PM
CHC -125
+500


CIN at ARI 04:10 PM
ARI -120
+500


CHW at MIL 04:10 PM
CHW -105
+500


ATL at MIN 06:05 PM
MIN -130
+500


MIA at HOU 06:05 PM
HOU -140
+500


WAS at NYM 06:10 PM
NYM -140
+500


BAL at NYY 06:35 PM
NYY -200
+500


PHI at TOR 06:37 PM
PHI +130
+500


OAK at LAD 09:05 PM
OAK +135
+500


KC at TEX 09:05 PM
TEX -120
+500


SEA at SD 09:40 PM
SD -170
+500






DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD


03/26/2021 5-8-1 39.29% -2600 Detail
03/25/2021 6-6-2 50.00% -100 Detail
03/24/2021 7-5-0 58.53% +525 Detail
03/23/2021 6-6-2 50.00% -625 Detail
03/22/2021 7-4-2 61.54% +1925 Detail
03/21/2021 9-4-1 67.86% +1850 Detail
03/20/2021 8-4-2 64.29% +2175 Detail
03/19/2021 7-6-1 53.57% +275 Detail
03/18/2021 6-0-1 92.86% +3450 Detail
03/17/2021 6-7-1 46.43% -850Detail
03/16/2021 8-5-0 61.54% +1375 Detail
03/15/2021 3-3-1 50.00% -550 Detail
03/14/2021 4-7-2 38.46% -2025 Detail
03/13/2021 5-8-1 39.29% -2100 Detail
03/12/2021 8-6-0 57.14% +325 Detail
03/11/2021 8-7-2 52.94% +500 Detail
03/10/2021 4-9-1 32.14% -2850 Detail
03/09/2021 6-7-1 46.43% -550 Detail
03/08/2021 4-3-2 55.56% +500 Detail
03/07/2021 3-9-1 26.92% -3625 Detail
03/06/2021 4-7-1 37.50% -2300 Detail
03/05/2021 7-5-2 57.14% +900 Detail
03/04/2021 7-6-1 53.57% +225 Detail
03/03/2021 5-7-2 42.86% -1775 Detail
03/02/2021 7-4-3 60.71% +1575 Detail
03/01/2021 1-4-2 28.57% -1850 Detail
02/28/2021 4-9-0 30.77% -3270 Detail

 

[CNOTES]

Saturday’s 6-pack
Active leaders in career home runs:
662— Albert Pujols
487— Miguel Cabrera
424— Edwin Encarnación
417— Nelson Cruz
352— Ryan Braun
334— Robinson Cano


Americans who have died from COVID-19: 545,357
PLEASE wear a mask (over your nose/mouth) when you go out.


Quote of the Day
“You never get over it, but you get to where it doesn’t bother you so much.”
Jeffrey Eugenides


Saturday’s quiz
Where did James Harden play his college basketball?


Friday’s quiz
Oakland manager Bob Melvin has been in his current job the longest; this is his 11th season with the A’s.


Thursday’s quiz
Jimmy Chitwood was the big star for Hickory High in Hoosiers; he wore number 15.


**************************


Saturday’s Den: Clearing out a cluttered mind……..


13) You know your life is good when someone offers you $120 million for six years, and you turn them down. Thats what Astros’ SS Carlos Correa did this week. No thanks to $120M.


Correa is represented by the William Morris Agency; they must be pretty sure Correa will get more than $20M a year down the road, or maybe they wanted opt-outs in the middle, or who knows? Correa will make $11,700,000 this year, is a free agent next winter.


12) As recently as 2010, starting pitchers in the major leagues threw 100+ pitches in 50% of their games, so half the time the starter threw 100+ pitches.


Last year? Starters threw 100+ pitches 10% of the time, as analytics people hammer home the idea that facing hitters a third time in a game is a bad thing.


11) An “immaculate inning” is when a pitcher strikes out the side on nine pitches; doesn’t happen much. 94 major league pitchers have done it.


Nolan Ryan is the only pitcher ever to throw an immaculate inning in both leagues.


10) Pitchers Max Fried (Braves), Jack Flaherty (Cardinals) and Lucas Giolito (White Sox) all went to the same high school, Harvard-Westlake in Los Angeles. They were all on the baseball team at the same time; they all have the same agent and they’ll all start on Opening Day this season.


Apparently it cost $42,000 a year to go Harvard-Westlake; 42 grand a year for freakin’ high school. Yikes.


9) Heard this stat again on TV the other night, it is staggering; Minnesota Twins have lost their last 18 playoff games. They’ve had good teams; losing 18 playoff games in a row is staggering.


8) NBA is going to have a play-in tournament in mid-May, just before their playoffs start:
— #7 and #8-seeds will play one game, winner gets #7-seed in playoffs.
— #9 and #10-seeds will play one game, loser gets eliminated.
— Winner of the second game plays the loser of the first game, winner gets the #8-seed.


7) There were 40 players traded at the NBA trading deadline Wednesday, the most of any deadline in the last 30 years.


6) Saw this note several times Wednesday and thought it was a joke; about the 4th time I saw it posted, I realized it was true- over the next seven NBA drafts, Oklahoma City Thunder has 34 draft choices, 17 in the first round, 17 in the second.


NBA rosters are only 15 players; what are they going to do with all that draft capital? They could field two teams. Will be interesting to see what they do from here on in.


5) Seattle Seahawks have only 3 picks in this year’s draft; Philadelphia has 11.


4) Miami Dolphins were busy Friday, they traded the #3 pick in this draft to the 49ers for the #12 pick and other stuff, then traded the #12 pick and other stuff to the Eagles for the #6 pick.


Miami has five picks in the first three rounds of next month’s draft; the main question though, isn’t draft picks, it is whether Tua Tagovailoa is good enough to be their franchise quarterback.


3) AL East rivals New York-Boston will play six series this season, five of them weekend series. Of the five Sunday games, four of them are on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball.


Not much original thinking there. How about promoting some other teams, or showing more west coast teams. Show the Angels/Padres more, or Houston- they have good players. People would like to see Trout, Tatis or Altuve more.


2) College basketball stuff:
Shaka Smart bolts Texas for Marquette. Smart was 109-86 at Texas, 51-56 in regular season conference games, 0-3 in NCAA Tournament games.


His Longhorns won the Big X tournament this year, but the first round loss to Abilene Christian ended the season on a dark note. Since making the Final Four at VCU in 2014, Smart is 2-7 in NCAA Tournament games. Right or wrong, that is what people remember.


Is Marquette a better job than Texas? Texas hasn’t made the Sweet 16 since 2008, Marquette made it in three of last four years under Buzz Williams (2011-13) but that was a while ago. Hiring Steve Wojciechowski was a blunder; Smart is an upgrade over him.


Big X is a tough league; been ranked 1st or 2nd the last eight seasons. Big East has usually been 3rd during that time. We’ll see how things turn out, but Smart’s seat was getting hot in Austin, and now he gets a fresh start at Marquette.


1) Random movie/TV trivia: Actress Mariska Hargitay, the star of Law and Order SVU, is the daughter of the famous actress Jayne Mansfield. Didn’t know that.

 

[CNOTES]

SATURDAY, MARCH 27
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


TB at MIN 01:05 PM
TB +105
+500


TOR at NYY 01:05 PM
NYY -130
+500


PHI at DET 01:05 PM
DET -110
+500


BOS at PIT 01:05 PM
BOS -120
+500


HOU at NYM 01:10 PM
NYM -150
+500


CLE at LAD 03:05 PM
CLE +145
+500


SD at LAA 03:10 PM
SD -120
+500


MIL at KC 04:05 PM
MIL +105
+500


TEX at OAK 04:05 PM
OAK -150
+500


CHW at COL 04:10 PM
CHW -110
+500


BAL at ATL 06:05 PM
ATL -155
+500


MIA at STL 06:05 PM
STL -145
+500


CHC at CIN 09:05 PM
CHC +110
+500


SF at SEA 09:40 PM
SF +100
+500






DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD


03/26/2021 5-8-1 39.29% -2600 Detail
03/25/2021 6-6-2 50.00% -100 Detail
03/24/2021 7-5-0 58.53% +525 Detail
03/23/2021 6-6-2 50.00% -625 Detail
03/22/2021 7-4-2 61.54% +1925 Detail
03/21/2021 9-4-1 67.86% +1850 Detail
03/20/2021 8-4-2 64.29% +2175 Detail
03/19/2021 7-6-1 53.57% +275 Detail
03/18/2021 6-0-1 92.86% +3450 Detail
03/17/2021 6-7-1 46.43% -850Detail
03/16/2021 8-5-0 61.54% +1375 Detail
03/15/2021 3-3-1 50.00% -550 Detail
03/14/2021 4-7-2 38.46% -2025 Detail
03/13/2021 5-8-1 39.29% -2100 Detail
03/12/2021 8-6-0 57.14% +325 Detail
03/11/2021 8-7-2 52.94% +500 Detail
03/10/2021 4-9-1 32.14% -2850 Detail
03/09/2021 6-7-1 46.43% -550 Detail
03/08/2021 4-3-2 55.56% +500 Detail
03/07/2021 3-9-1 26.92% -3625 Detail
03/06/2021 4-7-1 37.50% -2300 Detail
03/05/2021 7-5-2 57.14% +900 Detail
03/04/2021 7-6-1 53.57% +225 Detail
03/03/2021 5-7-2 42.86% -1775 Detail
03/02/2021 7-4-3 60.71% +1575 Detail
03/01/2021 1-4-2 28.57% -1850 Detail
02/28/2021 4-9-0 30.77% -3270 Detail

 

[CNOTES]

SATURDAY, MARCH 27
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


TB at MIN 01:05 PM
TB +105
+500


TOR at NYY 01:05 PM
NYY -130
+500


PHI at DET 01:05 PM
DET -110
+500


BOS at PIT 01:05 PM
BOS -120
+500


HOU at NYM 01:10 PM
NYM -150
+500


CLE at LAD 03:05 PM
CLE +145
+500


SD at LAA 03:10 PM
SD -120
+500


MIL at KC 04:05 PM
MIL +105
+500


TEX at OAK 04:05 PM
OAK -150
+500


CHW at COL 04:10 PM
CHW -110
+500


BAL at ATL 06:05 PM
ATL -155
+500


MIA at STL 06:05 PM
STL -145
+500


CHC at CIN 09:05 PM
CHC +110
+500


SF at SEA 09:40 PM
SF +100
+500






DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD


03/27/2021 11-2-1 82.14% +4575 Detail
03/26/2021 5-8-1 39.29% -2600 Detail
03/25/2021 6-6-2 50.00% -100 Detail
03/24/2021 7-5-0 58.53% +525 Detail
03/23/2021 6-6-2 50.00% -625 Detail
03/22/2021 7-4-2 61.54% +1925 Detail
03/21/2021 9-4-1 67.86% +1850 Detail
03/20/2021 8-4-2 64.29% +2175 Detail
03/19/2021 7-6-1 53.57% +275 Detail
03/18/2021 6-0-1 92.86% +3450 Detail
03/17/2021 6-7-1 46.43% -850Detail
03/16/2021 8-5-0 61.54% +1375 Detail
03/15/2021 3-3-1 50.00% -550 Detail
03/14/2021 4-7-2 38.46% -2025 Detail
03/13/2021 5-8-1 39.29% -2100 Detail
03/12/2021 8-6-0 57.14% +325 Detail
03/11/2021 8-7-2 52.94% +500 Detail
03/10/2021 4-9-1 32.14% -2850 Detail
03/09/2021 6-7-1 46.43% -550 Detail
03/08/2021 4-3-2 55.56% +500 Detail
03/07/2021 3-9-1 26.92% -3625 Detail
03/06/2021 4-7-1 37.50% -2300 Detail
03/05/2021 7-5-2 57.14% +900 Detail
03/04/2021 7-6-1 53.57% +225 Detail
03/03/2021 5-7-2 42.86% -1775 Detail
03/02/2021 7-4-3 60.71% +1575 Detail
03/01/2021 1-4-2 28.57% -1850 Detail
02/28/2021 4-9-0 30.77% -3270 Detail

 

[CNOTES]

Sunday’s 6-pack
Active leaders in career strikeouts:
3,013— Justin Verlander
2,784— Max Scherzer
2,689— Zack Greinke
2,526— Clayton Kershaw
2,524— Felix Hernandez
2,397— Jon Lester


Americans who have died from COVID-19: 548,130
PLEASE wear a mask (over your nose/mouth) when you go out.


Quote of the Day
“We really haven’t made a big deal about the 12th seed in the tournament. We were thrilled to be here. But we had a mission. I don’t want to throw too much at them. They’ll see it. And it’s cool. But we just gotta really keep our feet on the ground, stay humble and stay hungry, keep grinding away.”
Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle


Sunday’s quiz
Which major league team has gone the longest since last time they made the playoffs?


Saturday’s quiz
James Harden played his college basketball at Arizona State.


Friday’s quiz
Oakland manager Bob Melvin has been in his current job the longest; this is his 11th season with the A’s.


***********************


Sunday’s Den: Trends for National League teams


Arizona
— Last made playoffs in 2017.
— Finished over .500 three of last four years.
— 5-11 vs lefty starting pitchers LY.
— 9-21 on the road LY.


Atlanta
— Made playoffs the last three years.
— 19-11 at home LY.
— 8-4 vs lefty starting pitchers LY.
— 11-9 vs AL teams, 24-16 vs NL teams.


Chicago
— Made playoffs four of last five years.
— 19-14 at home, 15-12 on road LY
— 7-4 vs lefty starters, 12-8 vs AL Central teams.
— Joe Maddon made playoffs four of five years with the Cubs; why did they dump him?


Cincinnati
— Braves shut them out 1-0/5-0 in two playoff games LY.
— Reds’ previous playoff appearance was in 2013.
— Reds are moving Eugenio Suarez to SS this year.
— Losing P’s Bauer, Iglesias will be hard to overcome.


Colorado
— Went combined 97-125 the last two years.
— Finished over .500 twice in last ten years.
— Were only 12-18 at Coors Field last year.
— 16-24 vs right-handed starting pitchers.


Los Angeles
— won World Series LY for first time since 1988.
— Last losing season? They were 80-82 in 2010.
— Made playoffs the last eight years.
— were 7-5 in one-run games, 36-12 in the others.


Miami
— made playoffs LY for first time since 2003.
— went 31-29, despite giving up 41 more runs than they scored.
— 24-17 vs righty starters, 7-12 vs southpaws.
— Before LY, their last winning season was in 2009.


Milwaukee
— made playoffs the last three years.
— went 29-31, despite going 11-5 in one-run games.
— 11-7 vs lefty starters, 18-24 vs righties.
— 10-10 vs AL Central, 19-21 vs NL Central rivals.


NY Mets
— Finished over .500 in 3 of last 12 seasons.
— Last made playoffs in 2016.
— Were 6-11 in one-run games LY.
— Have new owner with lot of $$$; will they re-sign Lindor?


Philadelphia
— Had great run from 2007-11, making playoffs every year.
— Haven’t made playoffs since 2011.
— 21-19 vs NL East, 7-13 vs AL East LY.
— 13-9 vs lefty starters, 15-23 vs right starters.


Pittsburgh
— Last made playoffs in 2015.
— 6-22 on road, 2-10 vs lefty starters LY.
— 16-24 vs NL Central, only 3-17 vs AL Central LY.
— were over .500 four times in 9 years under Clint Hurdle.


St Louis
— made playoffs 11 of last 17 years.
— 22-18 vs NL Central, 8-10 vs AL Central.
— 26-21 vs righty starters, 4-7 vs southpaws.
— Acquiring 3B Arenado is big upgrade to defense.


San Diego
— made playoffs LY for first time since 2006.
— 27-13 vs righty starters, 10-10 vs lefties LY.
— won all four of their extra inning games.
— 24-16 vs NL West, 13-7 vs AL West.


San Francisco
— finished under .500 the last four years.
— 19-14 at home, 10-17 on road LY.
— won three World Series from 2010-14.
— 18-22 vs NL West, 11-9 vs AL West LY.


Washington
— made playoffs 5 of last 9 years
— despite that, have had 7 managers the last 16 years
— were over .500 eight of last nine years, won 2019 WS.
— 11-7 vs lefty starters, 15-27 vs lefty starters.

 

[CNOTES]

SUNDAY, MARCH 28
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


MIN at BOS 01:05 PM
BOS -125
+500


NYY at PHI 01:05 PM
NYY -130
+500


PIT at BAL 01:05 PM
PIT +105
+500


STL at WAS 01:05 PM
STL +115
+500


ATL at TB 01:05 PM
ATL +110
+500


NYM at MIA 01:05 PM
NYM -140
+500


DET at TOR 01:07 PM
TOR -165
+500


CHC at TEX 03:05 PM
CHC -105
+500


CIN at MIL 03:10 PM
MIL -125
+500


SD at CLE 04:05 PM
SD -125
+500


OAK at SF 04:05 PM
SF -120
+500


ARI at CHW 04:05 PM
CHW -145
+500


KC at COL 04:10 PM
KC +100
+500


LAD at LAA 09:07 PM
LAD -130
+500






DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD


03/27/2021 11-2-1 82.14% +4575 Detail
03/26/2021 5-8-1 39.29% -2600 Detail
03/25/2021 6-6-2 50.00% -100 Detail
03/24/2021 7-5-0 58.53% +525 Detail
03/23/2021 6-6-2 50.00% -625 Detail
03/22/2021 7-4-2 61.54% +1925 Detail
03/21/2021 9-4-1 67.86% +1850 Detail
03/20/2021 8-4-2 64.29% +2175 Detail
03/19/2021 7-6-1 53.57% +275 Detail
03/18/2021 6-0-1 92.86% +3450 Detail
03/17/2021 6-7-1 46.43% -850Detail
03/16/2021 8-5-0 61.54% +1375 Detail
03/15/2021 3-3-1 50.00% -550 Detail
03/14/2021 4-7-2 38.46% -2025 Detail
03/13/2021 5-8-1 39.29% -2100 Detail
03/12/2021 8-6-0 57.14% +325 Detail
03/11/2021 8-7-2 52.94% +500 Detail
03/10/2021 4-9-1 32.14% -2850 Detail
03/09/2021 6-7-1 46.43% -550 Detail
03/08/2021 4-3-2 55.56% +500 Detail
03/07/2021 3-9-1 26.92% -3625 Detail
03/06/2021 4-7-1 37.50% -2300 Detail
03/05/2021 7-5-2 57.14% +900 Detail
03/04/2021 7-6-1 53.57% +225 Detail
03/03/2021 5-7-2 42.86% -1775 Detail
03/02/2021 7-4-3 60.71% +1575 Detail
03/01/2021 1-4-2 28.57% -1850 Detail

 

[CNOTES]

MONDAY, MARCH 29
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


NYM at STL
NYM +100
+500


MIN at PIT 01:05 PM
MIN -125
+500


TOR at PHI 01:05 PM
TOR -110
+500


HOU at WAS 01:05 PM
HOU +115
+500


DET at NYY 01:05 PM
DET +167
+500


TB at BAL 01:05 PM
BAL +115
+500


CLE at KC 03:05 PM
CLE +100
+500


SF at OAK 03:05 PM
OAK -130
+500


SEA at CIN 03:05 PM
SEA +110
+500


ARI at CHC 03:05 PM
CHC -130
+500


COL at SD 03:10 PM
SD -175
+500


MIL at TEX 08:05 PM
TEX -110
+500


LAA at LAD 10:10 PM
LAD -160
+500

 

[indiana]

C/Note.........BOL with your action today buddy.........indy

 

[CNOTES]

Tuesday’s 6-pack
Since 2000, biggest upsets in March Madness:
+14— Bucknell over Kansas, 2005
+15— Oral Roberts over Ohio State, 2021
+16.5— Middle Tennessee State over Michigan State, 2016
+17.5— Hampton over Iowa State, 2001
+20.5— UMBC over Virginia, 2018
+21— Norfolk State over Missouri, 2012

Americans who have died from COVID-19: 549,664
PLEASE wear a mask (over your nose/mouth) when you go out.


Quote of the Day
“I would for sure, 100 percent, do that deal again. Again, you guys don’t have the advantages of knowing everything I know, but literally no part of me regrets doing that deal. I have not second-guessed it for a moment.”
Houston Rockets’ GM Rafael Stone, on trading James Harden.
Last four years, Houston was 217-101; under this genius’s leadership this year, they’re 13-32.


Tuesday’s quiz
Last time Kelvin Sampson made it to the Final Four, who was he coaching?


Monday’s quiz
Washington’s Bradley Beal is leading the NBA in scoring this season, at 31.3 ppg.


Sunday’s quiz
Seattle Mariners have gone the longest without making the playoffs- last time they made the postseason was 2001.


-------------------------------


Tuesday’s Den: American League trends and notes…….


Baltimore
— Last made playoffs in 2016.
— combined record, last 3 years: 126-258
— went 11-9 vs NL East LY, 14-26 vs their division rivals.
— 7-12 in one-run games LY,


Boston
— Made playoffs 10 of last 18 years.
— 11-20 at home, 13-16 on road LY.
— 7-17 vs lefty starting pitchers LY, 17-19 vs righties.
— Why did they trade Mookie Betts?


Chicago White Sox
— Made playoffs LY for first time since 2008; their last winning season was 2012.
— went 2-8 in last 10 games, then lost in playoffs, then fired the manager.
— 76-year old Tony LaRussa is the old/new skipper; he last managed in 2011.
— 14-0 vs lefty starters, 21-25 vs righties LY. 14-0!!!!
— New closer Hendriks had 39 saves last two years; in the 8 years before that, he had one.


Cleveland
— Last losing season was in 2012.
— Made playoffs four of last five years.
— Letting SS Lindor bolt to the Mets will obviously hurt them.
— Won 8 of last 10 games LY, then lost 12-3/10-9 in playoffs.


Detroit
— Went combined 198-345 the last four years.
— Last made the playoffs in 2014.
— 11-7 vs NL Central LY, went 12-28 vs division rivals.
— 7-4 vs lefties, 16-31 vs righties LY.


Houston
— 29-31 LY, still made playoffs for 5th time in six years.
— went 2-7 in extra innings last year.
— 12-10 vs lefties, 17-21 vs righties LY.
— Will miss departed Springer, injured Verlander.


Kansas City
— won World Series six short years ago.
— last three years, they’re a combined 143-241
— 15-15 at home, 11-19 on road LY.
— Adding 1B Carlos Santana should upgrade the offense.


LA Angels
— haven’t made made playoffs since 2014.
— last time they won a playoff game? 2009.
— 16-15 at home, 10-19 on road last year.
— went 7-13 vs NL West, 19-21 vs their division rivals.


Minnesota
— Lost an amazing 18 playoff games in a row.
— made playoffs three of last four years.
— Were 24-7 at home, 12-17 on road last year.
— Last two years, went a combined 137-85.


A’s
— made playoffs last three years, and six of last nine.
— were 22-10 at home, 14-14 on road LY.
— went 6-0 in extra-inning games last year.
— 11-3 vs lefty starters, 25-21 vs right starters.


Bronx
— made playoffs 22 of last 26 years.
— 11-18 on road, 22-9 at home LY.
— 26-19 vs righty starters, 7-8 vs lefties LY.
— need Judge/Stanton to both stay healthy for once.


Seattle
— Last made playoffs in 2001, longest active drought in MLB
— have been over .500 three times in last seven years.
— 20-20 vs division rivals, 7-13 vs NL West LY.
— 14-10 at home, 13-23 on road last year.
— Have already committed to using 6-man rotation at start of this year.


Tampa Bay
— made playoffs last two years, lost World Series 4-2 LY.
— went 40-20 LY, best record in American League.
— went 14-5 in one-run games, which suggests regression this year.
— 31-12 vs righties, 9-8 vs lefties LY.


Texas
— last made playoffs in 2016.
— Last four years, they’re combined 56 games under .500.
— went 6-24 on road LY; were 16-14 in their new domed stadium.
— minus-88 run differential LY was worst in major leagues.


Toronto
— made playoffs 3 of last 6 years
— from 2017-19, were a combined 54 games under .500.
— were 17-9 at home, 15-19 on road LY.
— went 13-10 in one-run games LY, T2 for most in MLB.

 

[CNOTES]

TUESDAY, MARCH 30
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


PIT at MIN 12:05 PM
MIN -150
+500


TB at DET 12:35 PM
TB -130
+500


ATL at BOS 01:05 PM
ATL +105
+500


MIL at TEX 02:05 PM
TEX -110
+500


CHW at COL 03:10 PM
CHW -120
+500

CLE at ARI 03:40 PM
CLE +100
+500


LAA at LAD 09:10 PM
LAA +150
+500

 

[CNOTES]

Wednesday’s 6-pack
Odds for the Masters next week:
8-1— Dustin Johnson
9-1— Bryson DeChambeau
11-1— Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas
14-1— Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth
20-1— Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka
22-1— Patrick Cantlay


Americans who have died from COVID-19: 550,903
PLEASE wear a mask (over your nose/mouth) when you go out.


Quote of the Day
“A thief is a thief, whether he steals a diamond or a cucumber.”
Old Indian proverb


Wednesday’s quiz
When was last time three #1-seeds made the Final Four?


Tuesday’s quiz
Last time Kelvin Sampson made it to the Final Four, he was coaching Oklahoma.


Monday’s quiz
Washington’s Bradley Beal is leading the NBA in scoring this season, at 31.3 ppg.


*************************


Wednesday’s Den: Mid-week musings……..


13) UCLA 51, Michigan 49:
— UCLA lost their last four games before the NCAA’s; they were down 5 with 1:27 left in the play-in game, against Michigan State.
— Michigan was 6-11 on foul line in a 2-point loss.
— Bruins have played six OT games this year; two of them were in the NCAA’s.
— Here’s the thing: if Mick Cronin’s relatives filled out brackets, no way they picked the Bruins.


12) Baylor 81, Arkansas 72:
— Bears are 9-2 since their 21-day COVID pause in February.
— Baylor never trailed, led 29-11 right off the bat, made 8-15 on the arc.
— Bears are diverse; they force ton of turnovers, are best in country shooting on the arc.


11) Houston 67, Oregon State 61:
— Each region has teams seeds from #1-16: Houston beat seeds #15-10-11-12
— Cougars have won 11 games in a row.
— Houston shot only 32.3% from floor, but had 19 offensive rebounds.


10) Gonzaga 85, USC 66:
— Gonzaga is 30-0, with ONE WIN by less than 10 points.
— Zags never trailed in this game, led 49-30 at halftime.
— USC has #7 eFG% defense in country; Zags shot 57.8% inside arc.


9) Tip of the cap to Oral Roberts sophomore Max Abmas, who led ORU to a Summit League title, then two wins in the NCAA Tournament. Kid led the country in scoring, at 24.2 ppg.


In Oral Roberts’ six postseason games, the Summit/NCAAs, Abmas NEVER came out of the game, played the whole 245:00 (one game went OT). In those six games, Abmas:
— shot 32-57 inside arc
— shot 13-45 on the arc
— shot 40-46 on foul line
— also had 34 assists
— 23.8 ppg, 5-1 record on the biggest stage. Good for him.


Next question is, unfortunately, how many phone calls has the kid gotten about transferring to a higher-profile program? Come on, kids who are way worse than Abmas have bolted low or mid-majors to be role players for the $$$ teams. Loyalty is becoming obsolete.


We’ll see what happens.


8) Speaking of which, Kentucky poached grad transfer Kellen Grady away from Davidson; Grady 2,000 points+ in his Davidson career and is a career 36.6% 3-point shooter.


Three years ago, Grady scored 16 points against Kentucky in an NCAA tourney game.


7) NFL is upgrading its schedule to 17 games next season; AFC teams will all get the extra home game next year, then NFC teams get the extra home game in even-numbered years.


The extra game will pit division vs division; for 2021:
— NFC West vs AFC North
— NFC East vs AFC East
— NFC North vs AFC West
— NFC South vs AFC South


6) Here is how the length of NFL schedules have worked over the years:
1947-60— 12 games
1961-77— 14 games; from 1966-77, 14 games in 15 weeks
1978-89— 16 games/season
1990-2020— 16 games in 17 weeks.


5) Final Four is set:
— two #1-seeds, a #2-seed and a #11-seed
— 7th year in a row, a team seeded #5 or lower wins a region.
— Third time in five years a double-digit seed goes to the Final Four.


4) This year was first time since 2001 that the Pac-12 had three teams in Elite 8.


3) Pac-12 has done so well in the NCAA tournament that the Washington Huskies have moved up 43 spots in the kenpom.com rankings, since they played their last game.


2) I can’t help it, every time I see Dick Vitale’s GEICO commercial, I laugh/smile; the guy dumps a cooler of water over his head— he is 81 years old. The commercial has been on TV a lot, but it never stops being funny. Hope I live as long as Coach Vitale, and would love to have his energy.


1) Was watching Daily Wager on ESPN2; good program, but they’re talking about betting NFL futures already and it is freakin’ March 30. Too early.


— Haven’t had the draft yet.
— Trading may not be over yet.
— The freakin’ schedule hasn’t been released yet.
— How can you wager on things when so much is still unknown?

 

[CNOTES]

AL East Betting Odds
Matt Blunt


2021 AL East Division Odds


New York Yankees -200
Tampa Bay Rays +350
Toronto Blue Jays +350
Boston Red Sox +2000
Baltimore Orioles +5200


There are a few interesting things about the prices offered for the AL East division as a -200 price tag on the Yankees does make it feel somewhat like a foregone conclusion. But as you'll see with the win totals numbers for Toronto (86.5), Tampa Bay (85.5) and Boston (80.5), I'm not sure the price gap between the Red Sox and the Rays and Blue Jays makes the most sense.


However, I've been generally higher than market on Boston the past two seasons with an awful success rate, so it's hard to decide if there is even anything to do with these prices on the basis of that thought. The AL East should be the Yankees to lose, and even with these division futures prices, it may be best to wait regardless.


Unless New York comes out of the gate stinking up the joint and one of Tampa/Toronto starts on fire, chances are the prices on Tampa/Toronto will only grow in their offerings. The Yankees are likely to always be looming at the top of the division all year long, and whomever they are chasing in those scenarios won't have too many cents shaved off these current prices should that be the case in May/June/July etc.


And if the Yankees play front runners the entire way? Any beliefs in the Rays/Jays or even Red Sox will be getting a better payback during that same part of the season.


Still don't see the Yankees losing this division as they've even shown us in recent years that even getting decimated by injuries doesn't seem to slow them down all that much, and over the course of a full season, the talent they've got from top to bottom should pay off. That thought does make it tough to get involved in division prices for the AL East though.


2021 American League Pennant Odds


New York Yankees +230
Tampa Bay Rays +850
Toronto Blue Jays +875
Boston Red Sox +2300
Baltimore Orioles +4000


The Yankees are the overall favorites in the entire American League, so keep that in mind with any Yankees. The last few years we've had one World Series entrant be one of the heavier league favorites (Dodgers in their WS appearances, Houston in there as well) and the other league champion maybe coming from a little further back. The case for the Yankees is definitely there if bettors believe the NL will be the more wide open league in the end, and if the scenario where the Yankees are front runners for most of the year, the price on them won't be getting any cheaper.


Interesting to seemingly get another value on what “playoff experience” could mean with the Rays 25 cents cheaper to repeat as AL Champs over the young Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto's actually got better prices than Tampa in future markets on win totals and playoffs yes/no props, so suggesting that Toronto will figure it out enough to make the playoffs but maybe have a tougher time figuring out how to go on a run does make sense.


Still think that the same thinking applies with the Rays/Jays for the Pennant as it does for the Division, in that waiting until the middle of the year isn't going to hurt anything. Even with one of them sitting in top spot, it means there is quality chasing them elsewhere, and getting through playoff series against those teams still is incorporated.


Tough to advocate for any long shot option on the other two teams, although the Orioles are probably the best of the “worst” (teams expected to finish last in respective divisions), and a flyer on them to go from worst to first and run through the playoffs isn't the worst of the bad options out there.


Playing in front of 35% capacity is something Baltimore's had experience with for years should that be the case for MLB starting the season on time, and they play in a ballpark where if you get the timely “bloop and a blast” often, who knows how many large winning streaks a team can rattle off in a row. Most of that is out on Pipe Dream Island though.


D.J. LeMahieu and the Yankees seek only their second AL East title in the last nine seasons. (AP)


2021 World Series Odds


New York Yankees +550
Tampa Bay Rays +2200
Toronto Blue Jays +2500
Boston Red Sox +5000
Baltimore Orioles +10000


Again the price flip between Toronto and Tampa can be a talking point, because if the Jays quickly figure out how to win the postseason, they are the type of team built to have streaky success like that. Relative to the pressure Tampa would face in each passing round trying to repeat.


Waiting on both still might be the best option though, as thinking Tampa is built like the Dodgers to go the route of winning a title after recently losing one is tough, and if there are multiple playoff series for Toronto this year they'll be a likely underdog in at least one of them. Round by round might be the path to take with Toronto.


This is where it makes the most sense to get heavily involved with the Yankees for those that are so inclined. Any front running season from New York won't have a better price on the Yankees, and most seasons that aren't of that nature have them finding their way into the playoffs in some fashion.


This team has done it all but get to a World Series in recent seasons, and getting there this year when you've got a +550 ticket on the Yankees already in pocket would be a nice feeling.


MLB Win Totals Odds


N.Y. Yankees 95.5
Toronto 86.5
Tampa Bay 85.5
Boston 80.5
Baltimore 64.5


This is the spot where opinions on the Red Sox are going to show up on both sides, as it's not like they don't have some quality pieces still in their uniform. Devers, Bogaerts, Martinez, Renfroe, and Verdugo can produce with the bats just fine relative to the rest of the league, and how improved one believes the Blue Jays to be or how sustainable this version of the Rays is influences those decisions as well.


All three of the win totals in the 80's may be better to avoid in the long term though. Coming down to the final few games of the year for any 'overs' on Tampa Bay, Toronto, or Boston is a sweat that's easily avoidable if you just let those chips fall where they may.


Baltimore 'over' 64.5 is a curious case, because their .417 winning percentage projected out to a full 162-season would have landed them with 67.5 wins a year ago, and who's left to scoop up all those wins if Tampa's play from a year ago isn't sustained, Toronto's not as improved as believed, and Boston's slide is as expected?


The Yankees will get their fair share in that scenario, but so will the Orioles, and they can actually be worse than a year ago with a .401 winning percentage and still get to 65 wins. Intriguing to say the least.


2021 AL East Playoff Props


New York Yankees: Yes -1000; No +600
Tampa Bay Rays: Yes +110; No -137
Toronto Blue Jays: Yes -112; No -112
Boston Red Sox: Yes +275; No -375
Baltimore Orioles: N/A


Not sure any team/price combo is worth serious thought outside of those who are overly high on the Red Sox and believe they'll have their act together from start to finish and cash a +275 “Yes” ticket.


You are likely only rooting for unforeseeable disaster for a Yankees “No” to cash, and with a wide range of results on the spectrum for Tampa and Toronto, the prices on them are going to be close to where they should be regardless of perspective, and not needed to be bothered with.


MLB Most Valuable Player Odds


Aaron Judge (New York) +1200
Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (Toronto) +2500
Gleyber Torres (New York) +2500
Rafael Devers (Boston) +3000
George Springer (Toronto) +3000
Bo Bichette (Toronto) +3300
Xander Bogaerts (Boston) +3300
D.J. LeMahieu (New York) +3300
Giancarlo Stanton (New York) +4000
Randy Arozarena (Tampa Bay) +5000
J.D. Martinez (Boston) +5000
Austin Meadows (Tampa Bay) +5000


One of the three Red Sox players listed here would likely have to be close to a runaway winner should Boston's season be one well through their ceiling with playoffs and division titles accomplished. It's only logical then to add at least one of those names to your portfolio should Boston “yes” on playoffs, 'over' on season wins, or “yes” on Division/Pennant already be in your pocket.


For any of that to happen for the Red Sox they are going to have to ride tremendous play from one of those stars, and Devers being the cheapest one at +3000 is still a nice payday.


What George Springer brings to the Blue Jays is a huge question mark in Toronto this year, as they are hoping for huge things from the former World Series MVP. The last AL MVP to win the award in his first year with a new team just so happened to come with this Toronto organization when Josh Donaldson won it in 2015, and any year that has the Jays with a division crown and/or deep playoff run likely has Springer having a big role in that success.


But if the Yankees go on to win the AL East by 8+ games as the win totals and division odds suggest, personal preference on those names is probably the best place to start.


If the idea that the ball is going to be a little “deader” this year, I think that will hurt the pure power guys more, and emphasize doubles and keeping the lineup churning. Gleyber Torres would be my choice because of where he will sit in the lineup and the likelihood of others around him getting more respect.


But even with all the great names this division has, it all might be a fool's errand in the end. Only two of the last 12 AL MVP's have come from this division, with Donaldson's in 2015 being one, and Mookie Betts' win in 2018. The other two divisions in the American League are tied with five apiece in that same span.


2021 AL East Cy Young Contenders


Gerrit Cole (New York) +350
Tyler Glasnow (Tampa Bay) +950
Hyun-Jin Ryu (Toronto) +1300
Corey Kluber (New York) +1800
Luis Severino (New York) +3000
Nate Pearson (Toronto) +3300


Nearly all the ballparks in the AL East aren't the best for anyone's Cy Young prospects, but two of the last five winners have come from this division. Again it's Yankees heavy at the top and Kluber already owns two of these awards, while Gerrit Cole probably feels like he's deserved one by now.


Cole, Glasnow, and Ryu are three of the top five in prices overall as something to consider, and any Nate Pearson consideration in this conversation means that backing him for AL ROY at +1500 is probably the better route to go.


Guys can come out of nowhere to win this award though, as someone like Blake Snell did a few years back, although it's tough to see anyone in this division consistently shutdown the bats they are facing most often to beat out similar candidates in other divisions where the offenses aren't so lethal every night.

 

[CNOTES]

AL Central Betting Odds
Matt Blunt


2021 AL Central Division Odds


Chicago White Sox -130
Minnesota Twins +150
Cleveland Indians +700
Kansas City Royals +4000
Detroit Tigers +6000


No 60-game schedule this year means that the random luck aspect of any play on the Royals or Tigers to win the division is completely gone as well, making the AL Central a three-team race tops.


Cleveland selling off some of their best players in the offseason might have many seeing this division as just a two-team race between Chicago and Minnesota, and that does make a lot of sense.


It will be the AL division where pitching and defense will be more influential on a nightly basis then in other divisions, and Cleveland's still a team that's comfortable winning 5-3 type games.


Not sure they'll have enough to get past both Minnesota and Chicago to win the Central, which does leave the door open on the debate between Chicago and Minnesota.


All three of those teams finished within a game of one another in the AL Central standings last year, and it is interesting to see Chicago being the organization expected to sustain it. It was Minnesota who went 101-61 in the 2019 season, and it was the Twins who finished ahead of the other two last year in the shortened campaign.


The three teams also played to near exactly dead even luck last year with the Twins 0, White Sox -1, and Indians 0 in their Pythagorean wins from that 60-game season. 2019 saw Cleveland be a dead even 0 in the luck department again, with Chicago finishing at +3 (off a 72-89 SU record) and Minnesota finishing at +4 (off a 101-61 SU record).


An extra “lucky” win in 2019 for the Twins when they were already nearly 30 games better than Chicago suggests to me that the two-time defending division champs probably should be priced as the favorite.


Grabbing the plus-money with Minnesota is the direction it'd be near impossible to talk me out of for this futures prop.


2021 American League Pennant Odds


Chicago White Sox +380
Minnesota Twins +750
Cleveland Indians +2000
Kansas City Royals +5000
Detroit Tigers +6000


Chicago's really getting plenty of respect in these futures as you'll see with the list of names for the individual awards, as well as other things like win totals and playoff yes/no props that can be rather suggestive in painting a perspective.


The White Sox may have the reigning MVP in Abreu, and six of the top seven AL MVP odds for players from this division this year are White Sox players, but I can't agree with Chicago being the 2nd favorite behind the Yankees in the American League by this wide of a margin. New York's at +230, Chicago's +380, and the next team is Minnesota at +750.


I'm not sure I agree with the Twins being priced as the 3rd favorite either, but that only furthers the argument that neither Chicago nor Minnesota are really on the radar for AL Pennant prices right now.


Kansas City and Detroit would need a season for the ages to get all the way to the World Series, and Detroit's best angle this year is the stated goal to get Miguel Cabrera to 500 HR's and 3,000 hits might make them an 'over' bettor's dream.


Which leaves Cleveland as probably the best value play from this division to represent the American League in the 2021 World Series, although that's still a rather big ask. Cleveland would need a dominant season from their pitching staff the entire way, with timely hitting and health carrying the offensive needs.


The price is right to entertain some Cleveland thoughts, but even with a great year ending in a division title, Cleveland's pitching staff will still have to go through likely AL East and AL West powerhouses who are built to win with the bats. Asking the staff to hold up for multiple series like that and winning 4-3 games is going to be tough.


AL MVP Jose Abreu (R) and the White Sox look for a division title after a playoff appearance in 2020. (AP)


2021 World Series Odds


Chicago White Sox +850
Minnesota Twins +2000
Cleveland Indians +4000
Kansas City Royals +10000
Detroit Tigers +10000


This is where putting White Sox and/or Twins futures in your pocket probably makes the most sense if you want to call it that. Chicago and Minnesota are still priced as the 2nd and 3rd best team in the American League in this market, but that's where they were in the AL Pennant odds as well.


Asking them to win just one more series (albeit against the best from the National League this year) for better than double the price on both of them to just win the pennant, the payoff is there to take on added risk.


Theoretically, the teams that come into a season that are expected to be 2nd and 3rd best in the American League have to be considered as strong contenders to make the World Series to begin with.


If one of these two teams ends up getting there and playing up to that market expectation, with bettors who agree with this market perspective at a bare minimum, (likely believing the Twins or White Sox are still undervalued/rated) will be sitting awfully pretty if a preseason World Series future ticket at those prices gets there in the fall.


MLB Win Totals Odds


Chicago White Sox 91.5
Minnesota Twins 88.5
Cleveland Indians 81.5
Kansas City Royals 72.5
Detroit Tigers 68.5


Like the other divisions in the American League, the best way to get involved with any of the projected bottom feeders is with the over/under option on season wins. The respective win percentages fro the Royals (.433) and Tigers (.397) last year extrapolate out to about 70 and 65 wins respectively, putting KC and Detroit still under their numbers.


That strategy would have you running into some issues with the other three teams though, as they all were so close with their win percentage numbers (Minnesota .600, Cleveland and Chicago at .583) that the easy answer would be to play the 'overs' in all three cases.


Could it turn out that way in the AL Central? Sure, the White Sox, Royals, and Indians could all beat up on the other two squads and trade games with one another relative to their projections and Chicago, Minnesota, and Cleveland could all cash win total 'overs.'


But banking on it happening before the season begins is something too tough to significantly get behind.


Meaning the opinion a bettor has on the 2021 Cleveland Indians is likely going to color how they tend to see the rest of the division. Should a decline be swift and steep for Cleveland this year, the two teams above them are likely cashing 'over' tickets as is one team below the Indians.


If Cleveland's demise is greatly exaggerated for some, then an Indians 'over' bet has to be fired on , as 82 wins is basically a .500 season. It means shifting to the 'under' on one of the White Sox/Twins in all likelihood, and seeing one of those two basement dwellers cash an 'under' ticket as well.


Overall, it does make the win total props in this division tough to break down, because it's always going to be colored by individual perspectives on multiple teams. And most of those perspectives (good and bad) have plenty of value points behind them.


MLB Win Playoff Prop Odds


Chicago White Sox: Yes -275; No +210
Minnesota Twins: Yes -157; No +125
Cleveland Indians: Yes +230; No -305
Kansas City Royals: Yes +1000; No -5000
Detroit Tigers: Yes +5000; No N/A


Because I do believe there is such a wide range of outcomes for all three of the teams expected to be at the top in this division (and from the two expected to be at the bottom as well), there are only two of these playoff props that would be somewhat appealing: Cleveland on the Yes at +230 and Chicago on the No at +210.


It's understandable that it's hard to figure a team with the reigning MVP like Chicago could lay an egg for the entire season, but making the playoffs with a reigning AL MVP on your team has only happened once the past few years.


All of Trout's recent MVP wins haven't translated into playoff berths the following year for LA, and a year after Mookie Betts won the 2018 award in Boston was packing up for winter after Game 162 and hatched ideas of moving on from Betts entirely.


The White Sox have done everything right on paper which is probably why the idea of their 36-24 season last year not being considered “fluky” never really comes up.


They are built on both sides of the diamond to dominate this division, but who knows how dark the timeline gets for Chicago in 2021, and if something like injuries start a derail of their season. It's not like it would be the first time an expected World Series contender comes nowhere close to that expectation in the end.


Cleveland on the Yes would be forcing my hand into siding with the idea that the Indians demise may not arrive just yet. Hell, the organization said they'd get rid of the nickname for obvious reasons, but then get to keep it for another year.


Maybe that's how the play goes on the field for the 2021 Indians, as their pitching staff continues to mow down everyone, the timely hits with runners in scoring position continues as it did when Lindor was in town and often the catalyst for those types of rallies, and the demise of the Indians in the AL Central standings is like their nickname and still at least a year from being fully realized.


Not suggesting that happens, but to fully get behind a 'Yes' wager on Cleveland to make the playoffs, there should probably be some belief that Cleveland will being playing that type of baseball for the majority of the days each week.


MLB Most Valuable Player Odds


Jose Ramirez (Cleveland) +1200
Jose Abreu (Chicago) +2500
Yoan Moncada (Chicago) +2500
Luis Robert (Chicago) +2500
Yasmani Grandal (Chicago) +3000
Eloy Jimenez (Chicago) +3000
Tim Anderson (Chicago) +3300
Josh Donaldson (Minnesota) +5000


Any 'Yes' on Cleveland's playoff prop should probably have some correlation with adding a Jose Ramirez MVP futures play to the portfolio as well.


There are a lot of ways Cleveland can sneak into the playoffs without a MVP performance from Ramirez, but the high end of the Indians range in 2021 ends with a division title, likely threatening 100 wins, and either a MVP or Cy Young award winner in their locker room.


Ramirez doesn't get listed with much better odds than two thirds of Chicago's lineup that follows without having a legitimate path there. A great season from Cleveland likely leaves little options for who is their MVP.


The favored White Sox could have any one of a number of guys be their best player for the season in their high end ranges for results, and it makes picking a name from their list hard as well.


With all the offensive firepower teams in other divisions in the American League have, any offensive player from the AL Central might always be a little bit overlooked. Abreu wasn't last year, but that came after six straight years of the AL MVP coming from a different American League division.


A pitcher from the AL Central listed way down the board is always a way to go for AL Central selections, but the key to success for any of the three teams expected to be at the top of this division is going to be overall balance. Balance doesn't help in the MVP voting process.


MLB Cy Young Odds


Shane Bieber (Cleveland) +400
Lucas Giolito (Chicago) +450
Jose Berrios (Minnesota) +1700
Lance Lynn (Chicago) +1700
Kenta Maeda (Minnesota) +2000
Dallas Keuchel (Chicago) +2200


No American League Cy Young winner has won the award in consecutive years since Pedro Martinez did it in 1999 and 2000. That doesn't bode well for Shane Bieber at the top of this list, but again, any highly positive outlook on Cleveland has to include Bieber having a big part in that success.


The price is probably what should keep bettors away from backing a guy trying to be the first to repeat in 20 years, and it's going to be harder to give him credit if his team finishes 3rd again in a full 162-game slate. The cases for others around him on better teams will always be there.


There are also only nine names for the entire American League priced at +2000 or lower right now, and to have five of them come from this division does give choice to the bettor.


You do probably have to have a guy from the division winner in this division to have the best shot at connecting with the selection, and that leads us back to all the previous questions that have been asked on the differing perspectives of where many can see Cleveland, Minnesota, and Chicago finishing this year.


But for the same reason it makes sense to avoid AL Central hitters for the MVP with all the sluggers elsewhere, it makes sense to hone in on pitchers from the AL Central for the Cy Young award if overall hitting/scoring is going to be relatively lower in this division compared to the others.

 

[CNOTES]

AL West Betting Odds
Matt Blunt


2021 AL West Division Odds


Houston Astros +120
Oakland Athletics +150
Los Angeles Angels +375
Seattle Mariners +2600
Texas Rangers +4000


The AL West should be a case of the haves and have nots this year, as the Mariners and Rangers are expected to be relative door mats if these division odds hold somewhat true to form. I'm not entirely sure I agree with Texas getting far less credit then Seattle this year, but outside of looking to back the Rangers in early head-to-head meetings, that opinion isn't going to matter much long term in the AL West.


The Angels are going to be that organization that can teeter on taking the next step, but they've also found plenty of creative ways to not give Mike Trout an opportunity at playing playoff baseball the past six seasons that you could start a pool on how it will happen to them in 2021. The pitching is still going to have questions to be answered but when you've got the money the Angels have in position players that's to be expected. For those that are high on the Angels, a piece of the +375 Division crown price makes sense, as Trout's only playoff appearance came with an AL West banner as well.


Oakland comes in as the defending champs, as they trust how they operate there and it's tough to argue against the results. Three straight playoff appearances haven't brought the desired postseason success, but they are also a hard organization to go against with all the past success they've had. Since moving to Oakland in 1968, the A's have won 17 Division titles and have had streaks of five straight, three straight, and two straight (twice) in that time. Identical 97-65 SU records weren't good enough to knock off the Astros in the trash can's heyday, so it's not like Oakland hasn't been building this for a while. Can't fault anyone for siding with them at +150.


Houston's the understandable favorite with how they look on paper, and should their pitching alone live up to past form, the Astros will win a lot of games. We will get to see just how important George Springer was at the top of their lineup though with Springer now in Toronto, and we still haven't seen this core deal with angry fans across the entire league. How a bettor believes Houston will respond to those changes will influence whether a play on them to win this division is made or not.


Despite having one of the best players in Mike Trout, the Los Angeles Angels aren't listed as the top betting choice to win the AL West. (AP)


2021 American League Pennant Odds


Oakland Athletics +900
Houston Astros +1000
Los Angeles Angels +2000
Seattle Mariners +5000
Texas Rangers +5000


Hard not to look at this batch of futures odds for AL West teams and formulate some shaded opinions on other futures markets. For instance, if a bettor sides with the idea that Oakland being considered more likely to win the AL compared to Houston, with the respective playoff records side by side is correct, it makes any Oakland division winner prop or Playoffs: Yes prop option with the A's the better option.


The Angels are that wildcard team here in that their ceiling should be rolling into the playoffs and getting hot at the right time, so a long term investment in hoping the Angels figure it out this year isn't the worst option either.


2021 World Series Odds


Houston Astros +2200
Oakland Athletics +2500
Los Angeles Angels +4400
Seattle Mariners +10000
Texas Rangers +15000


Hard to think the Astros run away with this division even at their best, so even though they've been priced back in as the team with the best odds again, you can probably get a better price on them during the year. There is a strong case to be made for that being the situation with Oakland and LA as well, but again it comes down to the Angels having the highest odds and most realistic chance of getting hot when it matters. Even if they haven't done it before. Oakland's in a similar boat themselves and the Angels are nearly double the price.


MLB Win Totals Odds


Houston Astros 87.5
Oakland Athletics 86.5
Los Angeles Angels 83.5
Seattle Mariners 72.5
Texas Rangers 66.5


The last AL West champ that finished a non-shortened season with fewer than 88 wins were the 1987 Minnesota Twins if you can believe it or not. Seattle did it with 79 wins in the 144-game 1995 season, and obviously there was last year, but you get the division champ correct here and the 'over' is correlated.


And speaking of Seattle, they had better hope that their prospects are as ready as to be believed, because this is where the six game gap between the Mariners and Rangers doesn't feel all that warranted. A 69-win campaign makes plenty of sense for both of them, but I do believe you've got to trust the 'under' on Seattle more than the 'over' with Texas in that scenario.


MLB Win Playoff Prop Odds


Oakland Athletics: Yes -130; No +105
Houston Astros: Yes -124; No +100
Los Angeles Angels: Yes +160; No -200
Seattle Mariners: Yes +1000; No -5000
Texas Rangers: Yes; No


Having Oakland with the best price makes sense with how it's gone in the previous markets, with the Astros World Series experience factored into those WS odds. Getting two teams to the postseason is no guarantee here though, and again, the perspective one takes on the Angels this year will bring plenty of potential scenarios to map out.


MLB Most Valuable Player Odds


Mike Trout (L.A. Angels) +200
Alex Bregman (Houston Astros) +1000
Matt Chapman (Oakland Athletics) +1500
Anthony Rendon (L.A. Angels) +1500
Shohei Ohtani (L.A. Angels) +3300
Yordan Alvarez (Houston Astros) +3300
Jose Altuve (Houston Astros) +4000
Carlos Correra (Houston Astros) +4000
Matt Olson (Oakland Athletics) +4000
Kyle Tucker (Houston Astros) +4000


With how well the top half of this entire division is represented in these MVP odds, at least two of them making the postseason feels like it's priced like a certainty. Hard to beat the guy who's been at the top for a long time now in Mike Trout, but there hasn't been much team success behind those seasons. Trout would gladly take the team success this year at the cost of another MVP award, and the price is a little absurd. Trout and Bregman are #1 and #2 in the entire AL market at those odds.


But I also don't know how you can confidently argue the path for any of these other choices to get past Trout AND the rest of the big names scattered throughout the American League.


Oakland's success tends to come from a balanced approach, and any of the Angels options are hard to believe possible without Trout missing time. It's a grab bag of Astros as the other options and those choices are usually best left to personal preference.


MLB Cy Young Odds


Marco Gonzales (Seattle Mariners) +2500
Jesus Luzardo (Oakland Athletics) +2500
Framber Valdez (Houston Astros) +2500
Zack Greinke (Houston Astros) +3300
Andrew Heaney (L.A. Angels) +3300


With how many names there were at the top of the odds in the MVP section, and how there are 10 names ahead of the +2500 prices Gonzales and Luzardo have for the Cy Young, maybe the thought of expecting some 'overs' to connect early in the season in AL West division games has some validity.


It's going to take one hell of a season for Gonzales to win this award should the Mariners play out their projections, and when he's one of the best priced starters in this division, it's probably best to look at the names elsewhere in the AL.

 

[CNOTES]

NL East Betting Odds
Matt blunt


2021 NL East Division Odds


Atlanta Braves +120
New York Mets +140
Washington Nationals +600
Philadelphia Phillies +875
Miami Marlins +2500


Hard not to be the preseason winners of this division if you are the New York Mets with the moves they made during the offseason, adding Francisco Lindor to the middle of an infield that's got one of the best starting rotations in baseball pitching in front of them.


No matter how New York constructs their rotation throughout the year, they are going to be sending a stud or former stud to the mound nearly every night. That alone is going to win a lot of games for this team.


The Mets aren't the only team in this division with a strong pitching staff from front to back, as Washington's built in a similar mold. The former World Champs still have a trio of Scherzer, Strasburg, and Corbin at the top, and they've added a name like Jon Lester (among others) to that staff.


The Nationals also have the player with the best NL MVP odds within this division in Juan Soto, and the entire Nationals lineup is built to churn like a machine when everyone is contributing. Adding a power bat like former Cub Kyle Schwarber won't hurt Washington's chances either.


Former Nationals slugger Bryce Harper is still out in Philadelphia, playing for a Phillies team that's built to win games one way: with their offense. The nightly lineup the Phillies can throw out there each night will be downright scary for some opponents, but how successful that method of team building works in a division with multiple teams loaded with multiple pitchers remains to be seen.


Based on the Phillies price, there isn't a whole lot of optimism that this team can be the best of the bunch in the NL East, and it's because their pitching is a huge question mark. Does make Philly a good candidate to be an 'over' team for game totals early in the year if the bats start out the season hot, but they deserve to be ranked 4th in this division because of that pitching, even if the price does feel a little too high.


The Braves also deserve to be the favorites to repeat as division champs, even if the price margin is slim between themselves and the Mets. Atlanta won this division in the “sprint” last year by four games, over the Marlins mind you. The three likely contenders to Atlanta's crown this year were all at least seven full games worse than the Braves a year ago too.


A full 162-game race track for these teams to run out in deciding the standings can help those chasing the Braves, but the Braves are built to do everything well, and if they execute on that level again this year and get a MVP-caliber performance reigning winner Freddie Freeman (or Acuna, Albies etc), it's going to be tough to see the Braves getting dethroned here.


Can't fault anyone for liking any one of those four teams at the top to take this division title down. There are all highly positive cases for each of those organizations where a 95+ win campaign is how 2021 plays out for them, and the prices are definitely there for Nationals and Phillies backers.


Not so sure that's the case with the Mets price, but that team should do big things in 2021. How big remains to be seen.


2021 National League Pennant Odds


Atlanta Braves +500
New York Mets +525
Washington Nationals +2000
Philadelphia Phillies +2000
Miami Marlins +3300


Since there are arguments to be had for four different teams in this division to be division champs, you can't deny that the team that does outlast the bunch will have done so having been tested plenty.


That can only be looked at as a good thing in terms of futures numbers down the road for the NL East winner, as they'll be comfortable and confident against anyone, like say, a favored L.A. Dodgers or San Diego Padres team in the NLCS.


Saying that is all well and good in theory, but it still puts us back to the original question of where a bettor would be willing to go in the NL East Division markets. Doubling up or splitting a unit on the same team to win the division and pennant is always an option as well, as the latter market does keep alive a playoff run from a Wild Card seed as well.


At least one of the Wild Card berths in the NL could easily come from this division, so even going with the approach of mitigating any division risk with a bigger stake on a pennant future can be the route to go too.


Finally, for bettors that are the big time believers in everything the Mets have done and what they expect to get in returns from those moves this year, skipping over the division markets and getting about 5-1 on them to make the World Series could be the way to go.


New York's pitching staff should be able to hold their own against the likes of the Dodgers/Padres etc, and the protection against a Mets sluggish start (as they adapt to the changes) costing them the division is worth the price/risk trade off in my opinion.


Following a disappointing 2020 season with high expectations, the Phillies look to rebound and make it to the top of the NL East. (AP)


2021 World Series Odds


Atlanta Braves +1000
New York Mets +1000
Washington Nationals +3300
Philadelphia Phillies +4000
Miami Marlins +7500


Again, any Mets bettors should add a World Series ticket to any other futures they are holding on New York, and there's probably no way, or need to convince them otherwise.


On paper, New York's got all the pieces in place to go off and win a title if everything breaks right for them, and at that price they are still tied with the Braves for the 3rd best price for any NL team, meaning the likelihood of it happening isn't like that play is going way out on a limb or anything.


Same thing goes for the Braves in the identical situation for bettors that believe they still aren't getting their due for how good they really are.


The Nationals and Phillies are interesting cases for the World Series market in that for them to reach this position and those play(s) having a chance to cash, the season for that team had to have gone extremely well.


If that's the case, and that's the belief for a bettor, going heavier with the stake on the Nats/Phillies to win the division and/or pennant would probably be my preferred way to go there.


It is only one extra series, but the Phillies rotation as is would have a severe challenge against any AL World Series representative, and Washington can rely on their pitching too much that things look really bad when the pitching isn't there.


Having a bit more stake at 6/1 or 8.75/1 on those teams for the division or their 20/1 prices to just make the World Series is still going to be a nice payday.


MLB Win Totals Odds


Atlanta Braves 91.5
New York Mets 90.5
Washington Nationals 84.5
Philadelphia Phillies 80.5
Miami Marlins 71.5


Outside of 2020, two of the previous six seasons saw the NL East winner finish with exactly 90 wins, so as contrary as it may sound in relation to those previous team futures to win various banners, looking at the 'unders' on either the Braves or Mets is definitely an option for those looking to fade those teams in 2021.


If all four teams at the top are good, a Miami 'under' is worthy of consideration, but the Marlins held their own just fine last year. A longer season only hurts Miami's chances of sustaining that level of play, but they are a team that probably lands within two or three games on either side of that number.


All four top teams being good also means their might not be enough wins to go around for both the Braves and Mets to get up and over their numbers.


The way I would approach these win totals would be to go with the team between Washington and Philly I thought would be better than expected, and pair that 'over' with the 'under' on the team I thought wouldn't live up to expectations between Atlanta and New York.


Everything probably ends up so correlated in this division that a bunch of teams finishing in the high 80's of wins makes a lot of sense this year. Should give bettors one 'over' and one 'under' for those four teams with win totals of 80.5 or higher.


MLB Win Playoff Prop Odds


Atlanta Braves Yes -275; No +210
New York Mets Yes -250; No +195
Washington Nationals Yes +130; No -162
Philadelphia Phillies Yes +285; No -385
Miami Marlins Yes +1000; No -5000


Again, this market is something I'd treat completely different to the team futures markets from earlier, unless being extremely high on Washington or Philadelphia is Plan A for the bettor. Then it's pile on the Nats/Phillies for division, NL pennant, and anything else, as long as the 'yes' on making the playoffs is included as well.


Washington at +130 feels like a solid relationship between price and probability, as their pitching staff should be among one of the better ones in the league, and the balance they can achieve offensively can be extremely envious.


Treating this differently means that the 'no' options for the Braves and/or Mets are the plays on the negative side of the equation this year that probably makes the most sense. With how close this division should likely be, there is always going to be varying opinions, and wanting to sell high on Atlanta and/or New York isn't the worst option.


The same bettor isn't going to have one of them to win the Pennant/World Series and consider the 'no' on the playoff prop obviously, (they could), but expecting one of those plus-money options on Atlanta/New York/Washington/Philadelphia to connect is very reasonable. Plenty of options along that route that are up to the individual.


MLB Most Valuable Player Odds


Juan Soto (Washington) +750
Ronald Acuna, Jr. (Atlanta) +850
Freddie Freeman (Atlanta) +1200
Francisco Lindor (New York) +1200
Bryce Harper (Philadelphia) +1500
Ozzie Albies (Atlanta) +3000
J.T. Realmuto (Philadelphia) +3000
Pete Alonso (New York) +3300
Michael Conforto (New York) +4000


You'd have to go back to the 2010 winner (Joey Votto) and 2011 winner (Ryan Braun) to find the last time consecutive NL MVP's came from the same division. With Atlanta's Freddie Freeman winning this award last year, that history might hurt the chances of all these names.


You'd have to go back to the 2008-09 seasons to find the last time a NL MVP repeated as winner (Albert Pujols) in Freeman's case specifically, and the last time we had two different players from the same team win the NL MVP was 2006-07 when Philly's Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins grabbed the hardware. That kills off any interest I were to have in any of Atlanta's players on this list, and it's backed by where the Braves will show up in the selections later on.


Do think it's tough for Lindor to go to off to a different team and win a MVP award in his first year, but being the biggest change on a team that could have a huge change in results this year already has some built in MVP sentiment to Lindor's case.


You probably don't even have to be all that high on the Mets to back Lindor or any of New York's other names either. MVP's generally go to players on a team that won their division, so if you believe the Mets ceiling in 2021 is a NL East title, a MVP award for their best player is definitely not out of the question.


Soto is the complete player already in this league at his young age, and from a career arc perspective, it's easy to see a league MVP landing on his resume at some point. Being the guy a specific NL team relies upon for the “clutch” hit late in games has worked out well for past NL MVP's.


Albert Pujols won the award three times in five years at the peak of his powers in St. Louis, and his first award came after Barry Bonds had won four straight. Both were guys who sat in the middle of the order, took a walk when that's all that was offered, but cashed in when those opportunities were there as well.


You can say the same thing about the seasons recent MVP's had as well, as Cody Bellinger (2019), Christian Yelich (2018), Giancarlo Stanton (2017), Kris Bryant (2016), and Bryce Harper (2015) were all guys that were routinely pitched around in those seasons because of how often they put bat on ball for a hit.


Soto's got all those characteristics already in his game, and with the Nats expecting their starting pitching to keep things tight at worst, there are going to be plenty of opportunities for Washington bats to come up with those game-deciding hits in the late innings.


MLB Cy Young Odds


Jacob deGrom (New York) +425
Max Scherzer (Washington) +950
Aaron Nola (Philadelphia) +1200
Max Fried (Atlanta) +1700
Stephen Strasburg (Washington) +2000
Charlie Morton (Atlanta) +2200
Patrick Corbin (Washington) +2800
Mike Soroka (Atlanta) +3000
Sixto Sanchez (Miami) +3000
Zach Wheeler (Philadelphia) +3300
Carlos Carrasco (New York) +4000


When there are names coming back from injury like Marcus Stroman (+5000) and Noah Syndergaard (+5000) not even making this already extensive list, pitcher's duels might be the norm in the NL East this season. So many legitimate options for this award coming from this division that it's another one of those categories where personal preference is going to trump any kind of persuasive perspective presented.


The Braves pitching staff might actually be a bit underrated here if the other prices on Atlanta this year are correct or even undershooting things, and one of the two younger guys in Fried or Soroka may be the go-to selections there. That is for believers in Atlanta though. Anyone else is going to be looking elsewhere, and for me, that again lands me in Washington.


If the Mets are dominant, then deGrom will be a big part of it, but he also won't be asked (or needed) to do as much hopefully for the Mets and that probably hurts his individual award prospects.


He's already somewhat competing against himself having won in 2018 and 2019, and if his team is exponentially better than they were in those years (highly likely), the natural expectation is to need EVEN more from deGrom to give him the award again. Makes it tough to see him get the award again in many scenarios, and something I'm not interested in concerning myself with.