The National League includes 15 teams, but only one can be crowned the champion. Before the 2023 MLB season started, several favorites were floated.
After two months, most justified their status as potential National League representatives at the World Series predictions.
Last year's NL champion, Philadelphia, is losing steam early in the season, with the Dodgers taking charge, although two teams are right on their heels.
Let's break down the odds and best bets for the expected National League winner.
Atlanta Braves Plan to be First Seed (+215)
The Braves lost the divisional round of the playoffs last season and missed a chance for a repeat after winning the American League title in 2021 and the World Series. Eager to reclaim past glory, Atlanta is steadily building its win percentage with the help of a talented pool of players on both sides of the ball.
Pitcher Spencer Strider is getting more gigs as a starter in the rotation, and if Ronald Acuna Jr. stays healthy, the offense will be rolling. Acuna is taking full advantage of the new rules and has stolen 18 bases in the first two months of the season, the most in the National League.
"I'm really happy with the results, but I have a lot to improve on for the rest of the season," said Acuna after receiving the NL Player of the Month.
The odds for Atlanta ending with a National League pennant are +215, and although the competition is fierce, the Braves are a well-run organization that can come on top.
Los Angeles Dodgers Strong Favorites to Win the Pennant (+250)
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a constant favorite, winning the National League pennant in 3 of the previous 6 seasons. The team is packed with heavy hitters such as Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, and Mookie Betts. The lineup is very productive, even after Mookie transitioned to shortstop.
“I didn’t think I was actually going to end up playing short, but I always told them, I’m available to do it if push ever comes to shove,’” Betts said.
This year's team is good, but with younger guys stepping to the plate more often, last year's 111 wins may be out of reach. At the start of the season, analysts predicted an 89-73 record, and at the current course, they may validate expectations.
Looking at the current MLB best bets of the day offered by sportsbooks, the Dodgers receive +250 odds to win the National League.
New York Mets are a Team Built to Win (+750)
The Mets are serious contenders in the National League. That's clear from the +750 odds, the third-best odds a team received to win the pennant. During last year's 101-win season, the Mets showed they could sail through the regular season, but the postseason is giving them headaches.
The expectations for 2023 are riding in large part on pitcher Justin Verlander, who is in his 40s and still plays at a high level. Yet, fans are not shy to display their disappointment with his bad performances.
"I understand the fans are frustrated. We're frustrated, too. We expect to be better. I expect to be better. I think this entire organization expects to be better, and there's only one thing left to do", Verlander said after the Mets entered a slump at the end of May.
Related
Author
