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Major League baseball action is heating up with weeks to go before the All-Star break and trade season coming up.
The Dodgers are the best team in baseball right now with the best record in the National League and the Majors as well. Los Angeles is a heavy betting favorite to win the NL West. Let’s take a look at the National League and check out which teams are favored to win their respective divisions.
*Odds in this article were taken from Bet365 as of 6/25/19. Stats are updated as of June 25, 2019:
National League Central
- Chicago Cubs +145
- Milwaukee Brewers +180
- St. Louis Cardinals +350
- Cincinnati Reds +1100
- Pittsburgh Pirates +1700
Last season, the Milwaukee Brewers needed an 8-game winning streak to end the season, including a tiebreaker win in game number 163 to claim their first NL Central Crown since 2011 and deny the Chicago Cubs’ attempt at three straight division titles. This year, things are just as close between these teams.
As of June 24th, the Cubs are seven games over the .500 mark and are just one half-game ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers and two games clear of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central race. Chicago has some strange losses this month-against the Mets and a three-game sweep versus the Cardinals, but really, they still got this.
The Brewers are currently just 10-10 in June and are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games but are right there with the Cubs. Given how they finished strong in the last two seasons, things look good for the Crew. Gio Gonzalez is out until July and there may be names in the trade market that are worth a look. The third wheel in this division is St. Louis and while their 3.42 staff ERA in the last two weeks are encouraging, they have not been able to find consistent offense all season long.
Chicago will get back Kyle Hendricks after the All-Star break and if Yu Darvish continues to improve ( June ERA of 4.07 ), I think the Cubs are in a good spot right now. Their current +59 run difference is the best in the division, I think they got this. Prediction: Chicago Cubs
National League East
- Atlanta Braves -350
- Philadelphia Phillies +550
- Washington Nationals +800
- New York Mets +1200
- Miami Marlins +15000
The Braves started playing like the Braves when the calendar moved to June. Atlanta opened the month of June with a 16-5 record and look like they want to run away with the division. As of June 24th, the Braves are 6.5 games clear of their closest pursuers in the Phillies. In the last weeks, they’ve beaten division rivals New York, Washington and Philly to prove their class.
The Phillies were just swept by the Marlins and at 6-16 SU in their last 22 games, including 1-9 SU in their last 10, it looks like they are free-falling right now. Philadelphia’s biggest issue right now is the consistency of their rotation. Aaron Nola had a 2.73 ERA in May but has a 5.55 ERA in four starts this month. Their decline is noticeable but they were consistent in the first months of the season so it’s not yet time to press the panic button.
The Nationals are 8.5 games behind the leaders but are 13-7 in the month of June which is their best record in any month so far this season. This development should silence the Max Scherzer sweepstakes but it looks like the Nationals and Mets are running out of time to make a comeback and this division is a two-way race between Atlanta and Philadelphia.
The Phillies have plenty of top-level talent on their side. But Bryce Harper hasn’t been as dominant in his first season as expected. Nola has been unable to replicate last season’s Cy Young-type of season. On the other hand, Atlanta’s pitching should improve in depth with the addition of Dallas Keuchel. With Mike Soroka and the resurgent Julio Teheran having sub-3.0 ERAs and Atlanta’s offense scoring 44 more runs than their next division rivals, I’m going to go with Atlanta here. Prediction: Atlanta Braves
National League West
- Los Angeles Dodgers -20000
- Colorado Rockies +2200
- Arizona Diamondbacks +2500
- San Diego Padres +2500
- San Francisco Giants +10000
The Dodgers have made easy work of the National League West this season, going 22-8 SU against their divisional rivals so far. They also have the best home record in the Majors at 34-9 and as of June 24th, only Tampa Bay has allowed fewer runs than them ( 274 for the Rays and 282 for the Dodgers).
Overall, Los Angeles’ run differential of +133 is the best in the Majors by at least +28 runs. Oh, by the way, the Dodgers also have the best record in the majors. Because of all these, and we don’t even have to go to the specifics, they are massive baseball betting favorites to win the NL West.
The Rockies are 13 games back right now but there is still plenty of baseball to be played, so who knows? Colorado has one of the best offenses in the Majors, but at home only. Don’t ask how they on the road. Manny Machado is getting hot as he’s hitting over .300 this month but the Padres are two games below .500 right now and are 15.5 games back.
I think the Dodgers are going to run away with this division. The odds are clear on that right now. But Los Angeles is now astronomically priced at -20000 and you might not want any part of that. Neither do I. But as far as winning the NL West this season, I think it’s too early but the Dodgers are almost a lock to win it. Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers
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