MLB National League Second Half Baseball Betting Favorites

Up is down and down is up in Major League Baseball’s  National League as there are surprise leaders in each of the divisions. Hands up if you predicted the Pirates, Nationals, and Dodgers would be mid-season leaders on the senior circuit – anyone? We didn’t think so.

Can we expect more of the same in the second half? Lets take a look at the Senior Circuit as we predict the 2012 MLB NL divisional championship playoff races.

Washington Nationals Are Earning Respect In The NL East

A year ago today, the Washington Nationals owned a mediocre 45-46 record and were 11.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. Fast forward to the 2012 MLB All-Star break and the tables have turned as the Nats sit at 48-34 and they are 14 games ahead of the Phillies. With solid hitting, and the best pitching rotation in MLB, we like the young Nationals to hold their lead.

Pittsburgh Pirates Continue To Pillage In The National League Central

It’s like 1971 all over again in the National League as the Pittsburgh Pirates own a division lead at the All-Star break for the first time in nearly a half century. Though not quite at the 56-31 record they owned back in 1971, the Buccos sit at 48-37 and have a one game lead over the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Central division. Watch out for the new “Big Red Machine” though.

Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants Battle for NL West Lead

A battle is raging over in the NL West as the Dodgers and Giants are separated by a half game at baseball’s symbolic half way point. With slugger Matt Kemp on the shelf, battling a left hamstring strain, the Dodgers went from 42-25 and a five game NL West lead to a 47-40 record and a half game lead at the break. We like the Boys in Blue to reassert themselves in the second half.

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