2024 MLB National League Pennant and Division Winner Odds & Predictions

The National League is in its 149th season, with 15-member teams vying for the championship or pennant. The offseason may have seemed like “All Dodgers All the Time,” but other teams have a chance to capture the flag in the “senior circuit.”

This article examines the odds for the NL pennant winner and the NL division winners. The league has three divisions: East, Central, and West.

Here are the 2024 MLB National League Pennant/Division Winner odds and predictions.

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Why These Favorites Will Win the NL Pennant

 

Odds in this section are courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook. Odds are subject to change.

Los Angeles Dodgers +150

This feels like a super team, like when LeBron went to Miami to join D-Wade. Only this time, the athlete who “took his talents” to a new team was Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese superstar who sends baseballs into orbit as he works for NASA.

The Dodgers have an embarrassment of riches. Ohtani hits second in the lineup in front of Freddie Freeman, the best first baseman of this generation, and a threat to win the batting title and smack 35+ homers. Max Muncy rakes like a lawn care specialist and could top 100 RBI by accident with this lineup. Then there’s catcher Will Smith, who is one of the best cleanup hitters since Mike Piazza.

Oh, and let’s not forget Mookie Betts, who’s so gifted that he’s transitioned to shortstop and will likely make it look effortless. Mookie leads off, and we wouldn’t be shocked if he drives in 100 runs from that lofty spot while scoring 100 and hitting 30+ dingers.

The biggest challenge for manager Dave Roberts this season will be finding enough playing time for the useful role players like Kiké Hernández and Chris Taylor, who could start for other clubs. The Dodgers truly are “The Big Blue Wrecking Crew” again, and 100+ wins seem inevitable.

How the Dodgers could fail: The playoffs are fickle. In each of the last two seasons, LA has been bounced in the divisional round by inferior teams, losing six of seven games.

Atlanta Braves +350

Have we seen the signature season of Ronald Acuña Jr.? At age 25, the Braves’ outfielder did things no other player has ever done, namely 40+ homers AND 70+ steals in the same season. But what if he can be better? YIKES is the appropriate response to that suggestion.

It’s not just Acuña Jr.; the Braves have 54-HR man Matt Olson back, grossly underrated third baseman Austin Riley (36 HR, 134 OPS+ for 2021-23), and Ozzie Albies. Last season, Atlanta was the first team ever to have five 30+ HR hitters, and that could be six in 2024.

How the Braves could fail: Since their 2021 World Series win, the Braves are 2-6 in the postseason following NLDS exits the last two Octobers, both times to Philadelphia. In six of those playoff games, Atlanta has scored three runs or less. For some reason, the Braves bats can go silent in the postseason.

Other Favorites

The Phillies are priced at +750. We like Bryce Harper a lot, and the tandem of Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola is arguably the best 1-2 pitching punch in baseball. But, we don’t see enough depth in the pitching staff for the Phils to recapture the magic of the ’21 season when they tore through the NL Playoffs to the Fall Classic.

How One of These Longshots Could Win the NL Pennant

Odds here are from DraftKings. Once again, odds are subject to change.

Chicago Cubs +2800

Want to take a modest flyer on a team? Consider the Cubs and new manager Craig Counsell. The Cubbies have revamped Cody Bellinger and Counsell, who knows the enemy in this division.

St. Louis Cardinals +3500

The Cardinals pop out of their nest every 10-15 years and grab a pennant; at least, that’s how it seems. The time is ripe for the Redbirds to compete for the flag, and a retooled starting staff behind three veterans might be the recipe for North Side success in Chicago.

Arizona Diamondbacks +4000

One thing we know in modern baseball: you don’t HAVE to put up a great regular season to get to the World Series. Just win and get in, baby. The Diamondbacks used the underdog scenario in 2023 and shocked most of MLB by getting to the Fall Classic. A winning $100 bet on a pennant repeat would pay a cool $4,000.

NL East Winner Odds and Prediction

 

The Braves are almost as secure a lock as the Dodgers in the NL West. Oddsmakers at DraftKings have them at -240.

NL East Standings Prediction: Braves, Phillies, Marlins, Mets, Nationals

NL Central Winner Odds and Prediction

 

The underrated Pirates are +1200, but otherwise, you could make an argument for any of the other four teams to win the NL Central. Cubs (-185) and Cardinals (+190) are the favorites.

NL Central Standings Prediction: Cardinals, Cubs, Pirates, Reds, Brewers

NL West Winner Odds and Prediction

 

Smart money will be on the Dodgers, priced at -667 to win the division. The improved San Francisco Giants, pesky Arizona Diamondbacks, and puzzling San Diego Padres are all listed at +1200 from Caesars.

You’ll need to wager $667 to win $100 on LA winning this division. However, given their deep roster, it may be the biggest lock among MLB futures bets.

Don’t forget the Padres, who seem to finally be over the hangover that resulted from their 2022 defeat of the hated Dodgers in the playoffs. We may see peak Manny Machado in 2024. The third baseman has averaged 33 HR, 96 RBI, 31 doubles, 300 total bases, and a 130 OPS+ in his last eight seasons (not including the short COVID year).

If he rolls toward a career season, the Padres can rely on offense and their talented pitching to make the playoffs. The Dodgers’ monopoly on the NL West has to expire eventually, right?

NL West Standings Prediction: Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Diamondbacks, Rockies

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About the Author
Dan Holmes

Dan Holmes

Writer and Contributor
Dan Holmes is a veteran writer and contributor for Gaming Today. He has written three books, including The Ballplayers: Baseball’s Greatest Players Remembered, Ranked, and Revealed, which will be released in 2024. Holmes has previously worked for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Major League Baseball.

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