BenFred: Six predictions for 2016 – STLtoday.com

You’ve probably heard by now that the Cubs are among the favorites to win the next World Series. Vegas Insider’s current projections give them and the Giants 6/1 odds, or a 14.29 percent chance, of earning a parade. The Cardinals are way back at 16/1, or 5.88 percent.

But the Cards’ track record suggests it would be unwise to write them off. Their NLDS exit last season was the first time in the past five seasons they had not at least reached the NLCS, a run that included a World Series win in 2011 and a World Series loss in 2013.

The Cards are probably due for a down year. They should still be relevant.

Vegas Insider currently gives the Cubs 7/2 odds, or a 22.22 percent chance, to win the National League pennant. The Giants (4/1, 20 percent) and Mets (5/1, 16.67 percent) project better than the Cards, Pirates, Nationals and Dodgers (7/1, 12.5 percent).

The Cubs are rightfully the frontrunner, but why can’t the Cards hold off the Pirates in the division?

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