MLB betting fans have been delightfully shocked by a blistering start by the Marlins. Sleeper teams make the race all the more exciting, and the Marlins find themselves climbing the National League pennant odds (12/1). If they can keep this up, they’ll become a favorite of bettors before long.

The club is doing it in all phases of the game, ranking among the Top 5 in both National League ERA and run scoring. Josh Johnson has been the biggest story, though, and he’s scheduled to pitch on Thursday.

Johnson (3-0, 0.88 ERA) has been nothing short of brilliant. The young righthander has allowed two or fewer earned runs in every game this season, including three shutout performances. Johnson—coming off a brilliant 2010 campaign (11-6, 2.30 ERA)—did it again in his last start, throwing seven scoreless innings (the Marlins lost 4-3).

St. Louis has shaken off a 2-6 start to climb back atop the NL Central. The Cardinals are also looking sharp in both pitching and hitting, though the lineup has been especially impressive; St. Louis is battling for the league lead in runs scored.

Without question, Lance Berkman has been the best of the bunch. He’s benefited from joining a lineup featuring Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday, and looks like a legitimate triple crown threat at the moment.

Jake Westbrook (2-2, 6.53 ERA) will get the call for the Cards and, although his numbers look quite ugly, it won’t be surprising to see a solid outing. Westbrook struggled in his first four starts, but he’s been much better in his past two outings, allowing just two earned runs over his last 12 innings.

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