MLB betting odds to win National League East
Atlanta Braves +2850
Miami Marlins +1400
New York Mets +185
Philadelphia Phillies +3100
Washington Nationals -145
The Nats have won three NL East division titles in the last five years, and fans who bet on baseball favour them to win back-to-back divisional for the first time in the history of the franchise. The Nationals’ postseason record is nothing to write home about – and even if it were, where would they write, Montreal or Washington? But as far as the NLED goes, it appears as if the only way the Nats could lose it would be if they did it on purpose (say it ain’t so, Bryce?) the Nationals went out on a limb trading Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo López, and Dane Dunning to the White Sox in exchange for Adam Eaton. Meanwhile, the Mets retained the services of Yoenis Cespedes and all they had to do was offer him the highest contract in franchise history.
MLB betting odds to win National League Central
Chicago Cubs -540
Cincinnati Reds +5200
Milwaukee Brewers +5200
Pittsburgh Pirates +1075
St Louis Cardinals +710
To the surprise of no one who has ever bet on baseball, the Cubs are the obvious favorite to win it all again this upcoming season, starting with the NL Central division title. The Cubbies lost Aroldis Chapman to the New York Yankees, but promptly filled his vacancy by acquiring Wade Davis from the Royals in exchange for Jorge Soler. Similarly, Dexter Fowler’s departure for Saint Louis opens the door for young Albert Almora to compete for a full-time spot. And speaking of the Cardinals, they finished second in the division last year and seem bound to play second fiddle to the Cubs for a second consecutive season. the Cards won the NLCD championship three years in a row between 2013 and 2015, but the Cubbies are here to stay, having achieved a superlative combination of youthful talent and seasoned veterans – and both camps have one thing in common; they are the best in the world at what they do.
MLB betting odds to win National League West
Arizona Diamondbacks +1625
Colorado Rockies +1025
Los Angeles Dodgers -170
San Diego Padres +10000
San Francisco Giants +250
The question in the minds of fans who bet on baseball isn’t so much whether the Dodgers can win the division for the fifth consecutive season as it is, can they win another AL pennant and another World Series – two accomplishments which they have failed to attain since the year of our lord 1988. The LA club has one of the best closers in Kenley Jansen, and the best pitcher in the league period in Clayton Kershaw (provided he remains healthy). In addition to that, they have the 2016 rookie of the year – and second runner-up for the MVP award – Corey Seager. What remains to be seen is whether the Dodgers can be more than the sum of their parts. Meanwhile, the Giants will attempt to break the Dodgers’ divisional dominance.