MLB Futures – Who’s Going to Win The National League?

Before this MLB season was set to get underway at the end of March, the Los Angeles Dodgers were the clear favorites to win the National League. When play finally started at the end of July, the Dodgers were still designated as the team to beat in this league.

As the abbreviated 60-game regular season draws to a close, LA has more than met expectations with the best record in baseball at 38-16 through its first 54 games. The Dodgers are currently set at +140 betting odds to win the NL Pennant, which are the best odds on the board.


Dodgers Still Favorites to Win 2020 National League Pennant


While it is no big surprise that LA remains the clear favorite to win the NL, its toughest competition could come from within its own division. The NL West’s San Diego Padres are one of the biggest surprises this season at 34-20 through their first 54 games. This has this team second on the MLB futures list at most online sportsbooks to win the NL. The most recent odds are set at +425.

The Padres have been able to stay withing four games of the NL West Division title with a 7-3 record over their last 10 outings. They have already clinched one of the eight spots in this year’s playoffs.

This year, the top four seeds in each league will play a best-of-three series against the next four seeds as the opening round of the postseason. The first three seeds are the three division title winners. This would place LA at the top of the list. The No. 4 seed would be San Diego because of its current record as the second-best in the NL.


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If everything stays the same this last week (which it should), the Dodgers and the Padres could meet in the best-of-five NL Division Series. Head-to-head this season, LA has the slight edge at 6-4 in 10 games against San Diego.

As for the rest of the NL standings, the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs are next on the MLB futures list at +750 odds to win the NL Pennant. Atlanta (31-22) is holding onto a three-game lead in the NL East over the Miami Marlins (28-25). The Philadelphia Phillies are four games back as the other playoff contender.

Chicago is also 31-22 with a 3½-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals (26-24). The Cincinnati Reds (27-27) remain in the playoff picture 4½ games out of first. The Milwaukee Brewers are also in the mix at an even 26-26.


Online Sportsbooks to Bet on MLB Futures


The betting odds to win the NL Pennant for the rest of the contenders are set as follows:

Miami +2000

Cincinnati, Philadelphia & St. Louis +2220

Milwaukee +2500

The San Francisco Giants are 26-26 with longer +2800 odds to make a NL title run.

Given the list of choices to win the NL, you would have to go chalk with the Dodgers (+140) still at plus money. They have gotten it done all season long by playing to expectations. LA has also won two of the last three NL Pennants.

The value bet on the board is the Padres +425. They have proven they can go toe-to-toe with the Dodgers and anything can happen in a best-of-five series. San Diego would most likely be favored against the remaining team in the best-of-seven NL Championship Series.