This Major League Baseball season, the National League East was expected to be one of the most competitive divisions in the league. But one team has run away with this division in convincing fashion. Here, we look at the current NL East futures odds and make our pick to finish in first place when all is said and done.
2023 NL East Futures Betting Odds
Atlanta Braves: In the Driver’s Seat
The Atlanta Braves have taken a commanding lead in this year’s NL East futures odds, to the point that the odds are off the board at virtually all sportsbooks. They did not make huge waves in the offseason, but they have been playing great baseball thanks in large part to NL MVP candidate Ronald Acuna Jr., who is back healthy in 2023. The question for Atlanta is now whether they will be able to win the World Series with the talent they have assembled.
Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins: Fighting For Wild Card Spots
While the Philadelphia Phillies did not win the NL East last season, they did win the National League. They followed up their National League pennant winning performance by throwing hundreds of millions of dollars at Trea Turner. That has not been enough for the Phillies to put a scare into the Braves in the NL East, as the Phillies find themselves well behind Atlanta.
Miami’s presence in the NL Wild Card race is a pleasant surprise, as they were not expected to contend for a postseason berth this year. Despite the struggles of Sandy Alcantara on the mound, the Marlins are still in the Wild Card mix, and they could stay there if their offense continues to cause problems for opposing pitchers.
New York Mets: A Massive Disappointment
The biggest disappointment in baseball this season has to be the New York Mets. They brought in Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander during the offseason, and neither helped the Mets to be even a threat to make the playoffs. Scherzer and Verlander have been traded away at the deadline, and the Mets are resigned to trying to rebuild their franchise again this offseason.
Washington Nationals: Perennial NL East Longshots
The Washington Nationals have been slightly better than expected this season, as they have not been truly awful so far this season. Washington looks unlikely to hit 100 losses this year, and they could even finish ahead of the Mets when the 2023 campaign is in the books. The Nats will look to bounce back in 2024.
2023 NL East Futures Betting Pick: Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves have removed all doubt as to who the NL East champion is going to be. They destroyed the competition in this division, and have made themselves one of the favorites to win the National League and the World Series as a result.
