At the beginning of the 2025 season, there was a stampede of future market baseball betting odds wagering action on the Los Angeles Dodgers. The defending World Series champions were coming off their second title in five years. Equally important, the Dodgers boast the megamarket payroll that consistently ranks at or near the top of the game.
On the other hand, the Milwaukee Brewers were utterly ignored. Over the past two years, the Brew Crew lost one of the top managers in the game and most of its key players. Milwaukee defied all of that with the best record in baseball, gaining the top seed.
The National League playoffs open on Tuesday. In turn, gamblers have a host of teams to evaluate who can take the pennant.
2025 National League Playoffs
| Date and Time: | NL Playoffs begin Tuesday, September 30, 2025 |
|---|
National League Championship Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia Phillies | +225 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +275 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | +350 |
| Chicago Cubs | +700 |
| San Diego Padres | +750 |
| Cincinnati Reds | +1400 |
The Brewers and Philles earned byes from the Wild Card round. On the other hand, in the wild card round, the San Diego Padres will face the Chicago Cubs, and the Cincinnati Reds will meet the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Despite its offshore betting reputation for top-heavy payrolls by major market teams, Major League Baseball has underrated parity. Since 2019, the National League has had five different franchises win the pennant. Since 2013, there have been nine other teams that have won the NL championship. Late on, only the Dodgers have been dominant with three pennants since 2017.
Philadelphia Phillies
Consider that the Philadelphia Phillies are in the National League playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Previously, they won the 2022 pennant. The Phillies were a decent MLB odds value this year at +376 units on the moneyline and +920 units on the run line. In turn, the Phillies won the National League East title.
Philadelphia is one of baseball’s most balanced clubs. To show, Philadelphia ranks 8th for run production, 8th for earned run average, and 5th for the fewest errors committed.
The Phillies have some pop in their lineup, led by Kyle Schwarber. To illustrate, Schwarber produced 111 runs, 56 home runs, and 132 runs batted in this season. His OPS was .928.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Despite a record of 93-69, the Dodgers lost -954 moneyline units and -2100 run line units. The Dodgers are the most popular team among the casual sector, which serves to diminish their betting value. Still, LA finished strong with 12 wins in its final 17 games. Los Angeles ranks 2nd for run production and home runs, but 17th for earned run average. Equally important is that the Dodgers rank 21st for bullpen ERA.
Of course, the Dodgers boast the best player in the National League in Shohei Ohtani. This season, Ohtani produced 146 runs, 55 home runs, and 102 runs batted in.
Milwaukee Brewers
On the whole, no team in baseball does more with less than the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite a relatively small payroll, the Brewers won the National League Central for the third consecutive season. This is the seventh playoff campaign in the past eight years for Milwaukee.
Overall, Milwaukee finished with a 97-65 record and was the most profitable team on the board. The Brewers were +2029 moneyline units. Milwaukee has a good balance, ranking 3rd in run production, 2nd in stolen bases, 2nd in earned run average, and 6th in bullpen ERA.
Chicago Cubs
Although the Cubs did not win the NL Central as expected, they finished with a 92-70 record and improved as the season progressed. Chicago ranks 5th for run production, 6th for home runs, 9th for earned run average, and 3rd for fewest errors committed.
San Diego Padres
Overall, the Padres were quietly one of the most profitable teams on the board at +852 moneyline units and +1048 run line units. San Diego ranks 18th for run production but 3rd for earned run average.
Cincinnati Reds
Late on, Cincinnati won eight of its final 11 games to edge out the New York Mets for the final wild card spot. Manager Terry Francona again proved that he is in the elite class. Cincinnati’s strength lies in its starting rotation, which ranks 4th in earned run average.
2025 National League Pennant Free Pick
In this situation, the Milwaukee Brewers combine quality and price to make for a strong value.
2025 National League Pennant Winner Best Bet: Milwaukee Brewers.