The National League Central is in an interesting place this Major League Baseball season, as there does not appear to be one spectacular team in the division. But someone does have to win it, and the question of which team manages to do that appears to have been solved. Here, we look at this year’s NL Central futures odds and make our pick in a division that was one of the more competitive throughout the 2023 campaign.
2023 NL Central Futures Betting Odds
Milwaukee Brewers: Can They Finish the Job?
After starting the 2023 season at plus money to win the NL Central, the Milwaukee Brewers are the favorites to win the division now. They have not been as good as the other division leaders in the National League, but they have nearly clinched the division and have separated themselves from the pack. Now the question is whether or not the Brewers can make some inroads in the postseason.
Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds: Still In the Fight
The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds are not looking likely to come out on top in the NL Central race. Neither of these teams were expected to compete seriously for this division title, as the Brewers and Cardinals were expected to duke it out. But the Reds and Cubs are still fighting for Wild Card spots, and that is a huge step forward for both of these franchises.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Some Positive Steps
The Pittsburgh Pirates spent a lot of time in first place in the NL Central this season. But their success has ceased in the second half of the 2023 campaign. While Pittsburgh is now out of postseason contention, this season was still a positive one, full of things the franchise can build on going into next year.
St. Louis Cardinals: A Disastrous Season
The St. Louis Cardinals were the preseason favorites to win the NL Central, but they never came close to competing for the division crown. Their pitching staff was woeful this season, and they traded Jack Flaherty to the Orioles at the trade deadline. With Adam Wainwright finally looking his age on the mound, and not enough young talent around him to pick him up, the Cardinals will need to rebuild their starting staff in a hurry.
2023 NL Central Futures Betting Pick: Milwaukee Brewers
In the NL Central futures market, the Milwaukee Brewers are really the only choice to come out on top at this point. They are clinching the division very soon, and they will turn their attention to trying to have some success in October. While they may not be able to beat the Braves or Dodgers, you never know with pitchers like Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff leading them.
