Odds on Favorites

Before I get to the Cubs and odds for this season, It's time to give out my preseason gold glove for 2nd base.
2nd Base- Luis Castillo
Possibly the best fielding second basemen in the MLB. Last year he had only 6 errors at 2nd base. He also has major range and is part of probably the best double play combo in the bigs along wih the SS for the Marlins, Alex Gonzalez, last year he was part of 97 double plays. This year appears he may have more chances to turn Dp's with the full season return of Burnett and Josh Beckett, barring injury.

The Chicago Cubs are the favorites to win the national league pennant this season. While some of that is driven up by the amount of Cubs fans betting on the Cubs, Vegas wouldn't have made a bad team the favorites just because a lot of their fans bet on them. here are some reasons why the Cubs are favorites for the pennant.
1. Pitching wins championships.
- The Cubs could have arguably the best 5 man rotation in the MLB. If the staff could stay healthy for the whole season, the Cubs could have four 15 game winners, if not three 20 game winners.
2. Infield
- The Cubs infield is an extraodinary one. If they can all stay healthy, Nomar, Aramis, Derek, and Walker are all capable of 300+ averages, and Nomar, Aramis and Lee can all hit over 30 home runs. They are also pretty good fielders, and possibly one gold glover.
3. The emergence of Corey Patterson
- This guy is a major talent who is capable of 30+ home runs and a 300 average. My guess is that free swinging Corey is a thing of the past, (hopefully) and that he will decrease his strikeout total and increase his walk total. He should of in my opinion won the gold glove last year, he certainly was qualified, 1 error and 324 put outs. This year he will not have to field almost 3/4 of the outfield like he did last year, with better fielders at each side.
Can the Cubs win the pennant? Yes they can. They have the talents, now it is just a matter of putting it all together.