Despite the fact that the MLB’s NL West Division race has been dominated by one team for the last eight seasons, the other four teams each believe they have what it takes to win the title this upcoming season.
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The online bookies posting betting odds for this MLB futures have clarified the situation through an actual betting number assigned to all five NL West contenders.
Los Angeles Dodgers Team Preview 2021
NL West Odds: -250
When you have cashed a winning ticket on the same team in this MLB division title futures bet eight years in a row, why would you go against the Dodgers this season? The risk verse reward is high at -250 but the gap with the other four teams justifies these odds.
You can also factor in last season’s run all the way to a World Series title after coming so close the previous few years. From a team roster standpoint, Los Angeles is still loaded with talent. The combination of shutdown pitching with explosive run production is hard to ignore.
MLB Moneyline and Over/Under Odds
San Diego Padres Team Preview 2021
NL West Odds: +200
If there was one team in the NL West that could shift the balance of power it would be San Diego. The Padres were able to keep things interesting in the division standings for most of last season’s abbreviated 60-game schedule. Yet, the return to the normal 162 games played will actually work against this team unless more than a few breaks go its way.
None the less, San Diego could be worth a small play as a possible hedge against LA sliding backwards a bit. The Padres’ current roster has been built over time using the same game plan as the Dodgers. Pitching has been solid for the past few seasons with added bats adding up to more runs per game.
Arizona Diamondbacks Team Preview 2021
Arizona Diamondbacks Team Page
NL West Odds: +4000
The MLB oddsmakers have pegged Arizona as the best of the rest in the NL West. The Diamondbacks slipped to last place in 2020 behind a record of 25-25 after placing third or bettor in the previous three seasons.
Staying competitive this year will hinge on more consistency from the starting rotation. The addition of Madison Bumgarner did not go as planned. There is still some decent power in the lineup behind Kole Calhoun but Arizona needs some more consistent production in this area as well. This team could battle its way back into third place by season’s end but that would be the ceiling.
Professional MLB Handicapper Picks
San Francisco Giants Team Preview 2021
San Francisco Giants Team Page
NL West Odds: +5000
The Giants are better than their betting odds suggest but the number still reflects the gap in place with the top two teams on the list. They have been moving in the right direction since posting just 64 wins in 2017 which is an encouraging sign for fans.
However, betting on any kind of dramatic turnaround in 2021 does not make any sense. Manger Gabe Kapler’s goal this season should be a .500 record over 162 games after going 29-31 in his first season at the helm.
Colorado Rockies Team Preview 2021
NL West Odds: +6000
Similar to Arizona and San Francisco, the Rockies are not as bad as their odds suggest. They simply do not have the roster depth to compete for a division title over 162 games. There is some hitting strength in the current lineup which has always been one of Colorado’s strengths.
Pitching was another issue with just two starters posting an ERA lower than 4.00. Nothing dramatic has changed in that department so the Rockies will once again rely on outscoring teams to win games this season.
