During the shortened 60-game 2020 regular season MLB schedule, all five NL East teams made a run at a playoff spot in the expanded field.
With things returning to normal in 2021, only two teams are pegged as top contenders to win the division title over the 162 games. The other three appear to be an afterthought when it comes to their posted MLB futures betting odds to win.
New York Mets Team Preview 2021
NL East Odds: +140
The Mets’ bandwagon is filling up fast despite fading to 24-34 last season. There is a new owner in town bringing a new attitude towards winning. Steve Cohen is already walking the walk by opening up his checkbook to help build that winner. New York traded for infielder Francisco Lindor while adding Carlos Carrasco to the starting rotation.
The Mets are also making a concerted effort to fill some spots in the rest of the starting lineup. Heading into spring training, you can make a decent argument that New York is the best team in the NL East right now. The question is are you willing to bet on it?
Atlanta Braves Team Preview 2021
NL East Odds: +145
With last season’s 35-25 run to another NL East title, Atlanta has cashed a winning ticket in this MLB futures bet the last three years. This automatically adds value in a division race without one dominant team. Offseason losses could take their toll but the Braves still have a solid core of pitchers in the starting rotation as well as in the bullpen.
The early buzz might be centered on the Mets but the best value in the odds still belongs to Atlanta. They have both the talent and experience to stay at the top of the standings in the return to a long and grueling 162-game schedule.
Washington Nationals Team Preview 2021
Washington Nationals Team Page
NL East Odds: +650
The Nationals’ window as the best team in the NL East started to close once they won the World Series in 2019. They slipped to 26 wins in 60 games last season and I expect them to hover just above .500 in 2021.
Washington still has some star power in its starting rotation but longtime veterans like Max Scherzer, Steven Strasburg and Jon Lester also have some serious wear and tear in their pitching arm. If the Nationals go out and add a few more bats to the lineup and arms to the pitching staff, they could shake things up at much longer odds but I am not betting on it.
Philadelphia Phillies Team Preview 2021
Philadelphia Phillies Team Page
NL East Odds: +850
The Phillies appeared to be moving in the right direction with 80+ wins in both 2018 and 2019. A season-ending collapse to 28-32 kept them out of the expanded postseason last year. The rebuilding process could be stuck spinning its wheels in 2021. Dave Dombrowski takes over as president of baseball operations but do not expect an immediate turnaround.
There is some solid talent scattered among the roster, especially on the offense side of things. Bryce Harper is still a stud and something to build off of. Philadelphia should get to 80 wins again but that is not enough to win a division title.
Miami Marlins Team Preview 2021/h2>
NL East Odds: +2200
Miami had been the perennial doormat in the NL East with a last place finish in five of the previous nine seasons. This team has never won a division title since coming into the league in 1993. The Marlins won both World Series titles in 1997 and 2003 as the second-place team in the NL East.
Last season was a breakout run in the 60-game sprint with 31 wins and a postseason appearance. The betting odds to win the NL East suggest last year’s accomplishments were just smoke and mirrors. A thorough evaluation of this year’s roster supports that notion.
