The Major League Baseball season has hit its home stretch, as the list of remaining teams with a chance to win the National League have dwindled. As the action of the postseason takes place, NL pennant futures odds will continue to shift on a regular basis. Here, we look at the latest odds and break down which teams have the best chance to make it to the World Series as the National League champs.
2022 NL Pennant Futures
Now that you have seen what all of the best betting sites think of the odds to win the National League, it is time to dig a little deeper into the favorites to represent the NL in the World Series. As you can see, there are a couple of clear favorites in the NL pennant futures market, but there are some teams with longer odds that could make a surprising run to the World Series as well.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The clear favorite in NL pennant futures markets is the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers have been by far the best team in baseball all season, leading the league in scoring and runs allowed. While they fell short of winning the pennant last year, the talent on this roster is undeniable, and it would be a legitimate upset if any team managed to stop the Dodgers short of the World Series again this year.
Atlanta Braves
If there is a team that can topple the Dodgers, it just might be the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta won the NL pennant last season, and went onto win the World Series as well. They have some added motivation to repeat this year, as Freddie Freeman left them for the Dodgers before this season. While proving that Freeman should have stayed with Atlanta is a nice ancillary goal for the Braves, simply winning the pennant will be their ultimate goal.
New York Mets
While the New York Mets may fall short of winning the National League East, they could still come through for those backing them in NL pennant futures tickets. The Mets are eighth in the league in runs allowed this season, but will be able to lean heavily on Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer in the playoffs, where starting rotations are shortened. The question for the Mets is their hitting, but they could mask their flaws at the plate with their pitching.
St. Louis Cardinals
This St. Louis Cardinals team is fascinating, as they have a balance of veteran talent and younger players who could get them back to the World Series. Paul Goldschmidt is having an MVP-caliber season for the Cards, while veterans like Albert Pujols and Adam Wainwright have also contributed to the cause. This team is far from one of the favorites to win the pennant in the National League, but can’t be ruled out entirely either.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies have been wildly inconsistent this season, but are doing just enough at the right time of this season to be a possibility to win the NL pennant. Philadelphia has elite top-end talent like Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, who can change games with just one swing. Combine that with one of the best home field advantages in the playoffs, and you just never know with the Phillies.
NL Pennant Futures Prediction
Los Angeles Dodgers to Win National League
While there are a few other teams that could win the pennant, the Los Angeles Dodgers at a plus price is too good to pass up in the National League. Their talent is simply unmatched as far as position players are concerned. And the pitching for the Dodgers is just as good, if not better, than that position player talent on their roster. The Mets and Braves will both fight valiantly for the ability to represent the National League in the World Series, but that honor will go to the Dodgers this year.
