The official start of the 2009 Major League Baseball Season is well underway two weeks into the season. There are many teams who have got off to solid quick starts while other favored teams have gotten off to slow starts. We take a brief look at the Division breakdowns and current betting odds along with what to expect this season. Be sure to jump on these betting tips and current division odds located at the bottom of the page in time to get the most profit out of picking a division winner in 2009.

American League East
Talk about a stacked division the American League East is loaded with talent. In this division alone you could pick the majority of the AL All-Star team. Tampa Bay had the breakout season last year winning the division and making it to the World Series. The Devil Rays will have the dominant pitching rotation back again this season.. However, for them to win the division again this season they will have to hold off New York and Boston. The Red Sox have gotten off to a terribly slow 3-6 start, but expect them to get things rolling soon. The Red Sox signed the popular John Smoltz along with 5 other free agents in the off season that could give help. Josh Beckett and Jon Lester should make it tough for opposing teams. The Red Sox went 7 games with Tampa Bay last season barely missing out on World Series dreams. New York spent enough money in the off-season to pay off most teams’ entire rosters. The big signing with C.C Sabathia should be huge. The most talented team in baseball keeps throwing more money out every year, but still has not had the results Yankees fans have been expecting. Will this year be any different?

Pick – New York money finally pays off and they come on strong after the midway point of the season

American League Central
Welcome to the most wide open division in Major League Baseball. The AL Central could be up for grabs with every team in the division. The Central may not be the overpowering division considering after the first 9 games there is a first place tie with a .556 winning percentage. Chicago won the division last season, but there will be a lot of question surrounding how well they will swing the sticks in 2009. Minnesota has a lot of talent on the roster, but how the young lineup will perform is still a mystery. Cleveland was predicted to be a slight favorite by some entering the season. However, after a 2-7 start it looks like the tribe is headed back down another letdown type road. In Detroit, this will be the make or break season for manager Jim Leyland as the Tigers are feeling the pressure that they must put together some success after some big moves financially before last season. Sadly the AL Central could be taken down by a team that does not even reach the 100 wins barrier.

Pick – No Play Here

American League West
The Los Angeles Angels are the biggest favorites for any team in their respected division in the league. The Angels will have a load of weapons to swing the bats especially with the addition of Bobby Abreu. The Angels are off to a rather slow 3-4 start, but expect them to pick it up. Seattle jumped out to the early 6-2 record to lead the division. The Mariners defense should be strong, but how the pitching staff will hold up will be the biggest concern especially towards the end of the season. Oakland is expected to be solid in the West. However, the A’s were ranked in the bottom of nearly every offensive category last year and that much change if there is to be room for success. Texas should be a very strong team with the bats led by Josh Hamilton who had a big year in 2008. However, they are another team with pitching concerns that will determine how much success they achieve in 2009.

Pick – Angels

National League East
Usually when you have the defending World Champions in your division the following year you are considered a rather big underdog. However Florida, New York and Atlanta will make legitimate claims to the best team in the NL East this season in the toughest division in the National League. Amazingly 4 teams have a shot to win this division though surely we will see that narrow down as the season progresses. Atlanta signed Derrick Lowe and some other solid names to get the pitching rotation back to dominant form. Philadelphia’s chances of repeating likely may rely on the health of Cole Hamels. Philadelphia should be strong again, but it has been nearly 25 years since a NL team repeated as World Champions. New York brought in closer Francisco Rodriguez to help the bullpen who looked simply bad at the end of last season. The Mets should be solid with the bats as well. However, while not much is said about Florida they have jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead in the division. The Marlins are pretty similar to last year when they closed out the season winning 15 of their last 20 games and can definitely contend.

Pick – Take a gamble with Florida, they definitely can win in bunches.

National League Central
The National League Central may turn out to be a closer battle than many are predicting. The Chicago Cubs hold the advantage heading into the early part of the season with a strong offense and possibly the best rotation top to bottom. However, St. Louis was an upset pick to watch heading in and they are off to a quick 7-3 start. The Cardinals undoubtedly have the best defense in the division. St. Louis has some concerns surrounding the bullpen, but if Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter can remain healthy the Cardinals should be fine. Still the Cubs will be the team to beat, but expect St. Louis to be the surprise this year in the NL Central.

Pick – Surely Chicago can’t mess this one up

National League West
San Diego has jumped out to a quick lead in the National League West with a 6-2 record and winners of 5 straight games. However, they split their first series with the Dodgers who have the most balanced line-up in the division. The Dodgers have Rafael Furcal returning to the lineup after missing most of last season that should give them a good boost not to mention the renegotiating deal with Manny Ramirez that should keep the Dodgers as favorites. Arizona will have a super bullpen that should give them the ability to play with most. San Diego has a big star emerging in first baseman Adrian Gonzalez that should help the offense quite a bit. Still once the season gets into full swing it will be hard to bet against the Dodgers who could be the best in the National League.

Pick – Dodgers easily

Current MLB Divisional Odds as of 4/15/09 From BetUS Sportsbook & Casino:
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AL EAST:
Baltimore +5000
Boston +140
New York EV
Toronto +400
Tampa Bay +2500

AL CENTRAL:
Chicago +400
Cleveland +250
Detroit +275
Kansas City +450
Minnesota +300

AL WEST:
Los Angeles -125
Oakland +275
Seattle +900
Texas +500

NL EAST:
Atlanta +350
Florida +600
New York +110
Philadelphia +200
Washington +3000

NL CENTRAL:
Chicago -225
Cincinnatti +1700
Houston +1800
Milwaukee +800
Pittsburgh +3500
St. Louis +350

NL WEST:
Arizona +175
Colorado +800
Los Angeles EV
San Diego +1500
San Francisco +500