A divided convention can give Bernie an excuse to moderate his policies

[Alhena]

I really don't see any candidate opposing Bernie catching fire enough to deny him a big lead in pledged delegates once the voting is done. Even if that's the case, Bernie may go into the convention with an overwhelming lead over the next candidate, but still less than the number of delegates he needs to win on the first ballot.

If that very possible scenario happens, then the hundreds of superdelegates will get to vote on the second ballot. I don't see them denying Bernie the nomination IF he agrees to play ball a bit on some of his least election-friendly proposals, such as getting rid of fracking in Pennsylvania. We might as well write Pennsylvania off if he sticks with that policy.

I'm assuming that Bernie wants to actually be President, not just throw bombs. With that assumption, I think he's smart enough to realize that he needs to moderate his policies for the general election, and the threat of a contested convention can give him the cover he needs to go to his supporters and say "I had to move to the center, or else the superdelegates were going to deny me the nomination."