Last year the Philadelphia Phillies won the National League pennant for the first time since 2009. The Phillies were the fourth different team in four years to take the NL flag. At the onset of the season, the Phillies are a second-tier baseball betting odds favorite for the National League pennant behind the traditional favorites. Namely, the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and Atlanta Braves are chalk to hoist the flag.
2023 National League Pennant Futures
| Date and Time: | Season Opens March 30, 2023 |
|---|
National League Championship Odds:
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Arizona Diamondbacks | +4000 |
| Atlanta Braves | +435 |
| Chicago Cubs | +4500 |
| Cincinnati Reds | +22500 |
| Colorado Rockies | +22500 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +360 |
| Miami Marlins | +5300 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | +2100 |
| New York Mets | +385 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +730 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | +22500 |
| San Diego Padres | +450 |
| San Francisco Giants | +2500 |
| Saint Louis Cardinals | +960 |
| Washington Nationals | +25000 |
Gamblers See Dodger Blue
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been the most successful sports betting team on the diamond over the past decade. Since 2013, the Dodgers have made the playoffs every season. And they have won the National League West every year but one in that span. But for all that success, the Dodgers have only one World Series championship. Of great concern to gamblers is that the Dodgers have become one of the worst values on the board. Casual sector gamblers storm the betting window on LA, forcing the oddsmakers to raise prices absurdly.
The Dodgers could be overvalued at these odds considering they didn’t do much in the offseason to improve their roster. To show, Los Angeles brought back Clayton Kershaw but suffered a huge loss as Trea Turner left in free agency. The Dodgers made some minor moves by adding J.D. Martinez and Noah Syndergaard.
Mets Go All-In
The Mets are all-in for the 2023 season with the biggest payroll in Major League Baseball, with a $37 million gap over the New York Yankees. Last year, the Mets flopped in the 2022 wild card round. Despite winning 101 games. It was their first playoff appearance since 2016. New York has only four playoff appearances since 2000. Their last World Series championship was in 1986. The Mets went out and spent a lot of money to bring Justin Verlander. However, New York passed on Carlos Correa. While many people will tout the addition of Verlander, it should be noted the Mets lost key players. Namely, Jacob deGrom, Taijuan Walker, and Chris Bassitt. New York hopes that adding Verlander, Japanese hurler Kodai Senga, and Jose Quintana will compensate for the losses.
A Brave New Season for Atlanta
Of course, the Atlanta Braves are still basking in the glow of their 2021 World Series championship. The Braves ended, at least temporarily, the label of being postseason chokers. Atlanta has made the playoffs the past five seasons and should do so again.
The Braves added catcher Sean Murphy to a very good lineup. But Atlanta did lose Dansby Swanson in free agency. In turn, the Braves hope they can get production from the combination of Vaughn Grissom and Orlando Arcia to fill the void at shortstop.
Padre Power Expected in San Diego
Most important of all, the Padres have significantly increased their payroll to a competitive level. The Padres spent even more money in the offseason and added former Boston Red Sox All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts. The Padres invested a lot of money to add Bogaerts to an explosive lineup. Including Juan Soto, Manny Machado, and Fernando Tatis Jr. But the question for San Diego is whether they have enough pitching to win it all.
National League Pennant SBG Free Picks
On the whole, the Atlanta Braves are the most capable team with the MLB odds.
NL Pennant SBG Best Bet: Atlanta Braves.