MLB World Series Odds (National League): Dodgers Heavy Favorites In NL
Will Smith (left), Andy Pages and the Dogers are currently the clear betting favorites to win the NL for the third time in the last six seasons.
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With the trade deadline almost upon us, now is a good time to take a look at who oddsmakers see as the top World Series contenders in both the National League and the American League.
Earlier this week, we broke down the odds and best bets for the MVP and Cy Young awards. Today, our post-All Star look at the MLB futures odds continues with the National League winner market.
National League Winner Odds (as of July 25)
Team (record) DraftKings FanDuel bet365 Dodgers (60-43) +150 +120 +120 Phillies (58-44) +475 +500 +550 Mets (59-44 +475 +550 +550 Cubs (60-42) +600 +650 +600 Brewers (61-41) +750 +750 +700 Giants (54-49) +1600 +2400 +3000 Padres (55-48) +1700 +1700 +1500
Can L.A. Fend Off Pitching Injuries, Repeat As NL Champs?
Though the Dodgers are just one of five NL teams with between 58 and 61 wins so far this year, their status as the clear favorites in this market makes sense given their firepower and recent track record.
In addition to runaway NL MVP favorite Shohei Ohtani, L.A.'s lineup features All-Stars at catcher (Will Smith) and first base (Freddie Freeman), and Yoshinobu Yamamoto was just named an All-Star in his second season in the big leagues.
But while the Dodgers are first in MLB in runs scored and rank among the best teams in baseball by almost every offensive metric (and also boast a staggering eight players with double-digit home runs), their pitching staff has struggled as a whole so far this year.
L.A.'s banged up arms have collectively been below-average in terms of ERA (4.28) and most standard pitching stats through 103 games
With two of the top pitchers during last year's playoff run -- Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler -- now with Detroit and Boston, the Dodgers need Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and Ohtani healthy alongside Yamamoto and veteran Clayton Kershaw to make another postseason run.
The good news for Dodgers backers is that Glasnow, who has been limited to eight appearances, recently returned to the mound, and Snell is expected to be back in action soon.
It's hard to argue that if the Dodgers are 100 percent healthy (and yes, that's a big if), they'll be tough to beat in the NL playoffs this year after handling the Padres, Mets and Yankees in last year's postseason.
National League Winner Best Bet: Philadelphia
Best odds: +550 at bet365
First of all, as chalky as it is, a bet on the Dodgers at +150 makes a ton of sense right now.
But to me, the team with the best combination of upside and value based on its current odds is Philadelphia.
At +550, the Zack Wheeler-led Phillies are intriguing thanks to their outstanding starting pitching staff led by current NL Cy Young favorite Wheeler and two other Cy Young contenders* in Christopher Sanchez (2.40 ERA over 124 innings) and Ranger Suarez (2.66 ERA over 88 innings).
The Phillies lineup, from Kyle Schwarber (34 home runs) and Bryce Harper (14 home runs in just 74 games this year), is also solid, though it could use an upgrade to take down the likes of the Dodgers in the playoffs.
The biggest weakness for this team right now is probably its bullpen. If Philly acquires a quality reliever between now and the deadline, look out.
Wagering on Philly in this spot is dicey because it's hard to know what -- if any -- moves President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski will make between now and the deadline.
Even if they stand pat, though, the Phillies are tempting at this price given their 8-7 record so far this year vs. the Dodgers, Mets and Cubs.
*Let's be serious: it's unlikely this award is going to anyone other than Wheeler or Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes. Still, it's notable that right now, Sanchez and Suarez have the third- and fifth-shortest NL Cy Young odds at FanDuel.
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