MLB Betting: Is Atlanta Going to Run Away With the NL East?

The National League East isn't locked up yet as the midway point of the MLB season approaches -- but it's getting pretty close.

Unlike the NL Central, the NL East has had a leader for the majority of the season. But much like the NL Central, it also has its underachievers in the division. There's no question as to who the top dog in the division is right now, although there's still time for those chasing to make some noise.

Here's a look at the current NL East odds via the MLB division winner odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Note: The Washington Nationals (+25000) will not be featured

Atlanta Braves

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: -1900
Record: 47-26 (first in NL East)

The Atlanta Braves have not only been the best squad in the NL East -- where they hold a six-game lead -- but they've been the best team in the National League. Across all of baseball, they trail only the Tampa Bay Rays in terms of wins as Atlanta tries to get back to the World Series after winning it in 2021.

If you look at the offensive numbers of this group, which is led by Ronald Acuna, you'll see one of the best offenses in baseball. The Braves currently lead the majors with a staggering .352 weighted on-base average (wOBA), which shouldn't come as too much of a shock as they have the best-batted ball rates in the league -- with the lowest soft-hit rate (13.5%) and the second-best hard-hit rate (37.3%).

Acuna has a shot at a 40-40 season, Matt Olson is contributing his usual power, Sean Murphy has been a great pickup, and Michael Harris II is clicking more and more as the season goes on. If Austin Riley can get back on track, the Braves could get even better offensively -- which is a scary thought for everyone else in the NL.

But it's not just the offense that is getting it done for Atlanta. The Braves' pitching, led by Spencer Strider, has been among the best, as well. Their collective skill-interactive ERA of 3.86 ranks fifth-best in baseball. Max Fried is expected to return down the stretch, and when he does, the pitching for the Braves will only get better.

The Braves have looked like the best team in the NL this season, and oddsmakers clearly think Atlanta is the cream of the crop in the NL East -- the Braves' -1900 odds to win the division reflect that. As long as nothing catastrophic happens, the Braves are deserved favorites to win this division.

Philadelphia Phillies

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +1700
Record: 38-35 (third in NL East)

The Philadelphia Phillies went to the World Series last year and retooled in the offseason with Trea Turner as the headline signing, but they have yet to live up to expectations.

Now, to be fair to the Phillies, they were without franchise player Bryce Harper to start the season and have been sans Rhys Hoskins all year, but they are only 23-20 since Harper has returned, so he hasn't been able to turn this thing around. The offense, which is supposed to be one of the best in baseball, has struggled compared to preseason expectations. The power numbers are down, with the Phillies ranking 20th in home runs (78). Their .321 wOBA sits 13th overall. In short, there's room to improve all around.

What the Phillies do have working for them this season is their pitching. The staff -- led by Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler -- has a team SIERA of 3.91, the seventh-best in the MLB. Philadelphia has been good at limiting loud contact, notching a 30.0% hard-hit rate.

If Philadelphia can get their offense going -- especially Turner -- and the pitching holds up, the team may not only find themselves in the playoffs but could make some noise in the NL East if the Braves were to struggle at all in the second half. If you are looking for a longshot that has proven it can go on a run, the Phillies are your team.

Miami Marlins

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +3300
Record: 42-32 (second in NL East)

The Miami Marlins are a good baseball team, but it's unlikely anyone had them in second place in this tough division after their first 74 games.

Luis Arraez has been the big story for Miami's offense as he continues to flirt with hitting .400. But outside of him and Jorge Soler -- who owns a .385 wOBA with 21 jacks -- the offense has been lackluster. The team's .313 wOBA is in the bottom half (18th) of the league, and their power numbers aren't anything impressive, either (69 home runs).

It's Miami's pitching that's been carrying the load, and they've done it despite Sandy Alcantara having a rough season. Miami sits fourth in SIERA (3.86) and has benefitted greatly from the emergence of Eury Perez, a rookie who has been immense so far (3.94 SIERA and 27.8% strikeout rate).

The bullpen has been just as important for the Marlins this season. Miami's 3.74 reliever SIERA is the eighth-best in the majors.

The Marlins are, for the most part, still young and are still figuring things out, but they continue to win by any means necessary and are currently in second in the division.

New York Mets

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +5500
Record: 34-39 (fourth in NL East)

No team has been more of a disappointment this season than the New York Mets, especially after their busy offseason.

Owner Steve Cohen and the Mets wanted to make up for last year's Wild Card exit, and to do so, they made sure to bring back Brandon Nimmo and Edwin Diaz while adding Kodai Senga, Jose Quintana, and reigning AL Cy Young-winner Justin Verlander to add to a rotation that already featured Max Scherzer. A 34-39 record is not what was expected through the first half of the season, and there haven't been signs of change recently, either.

In their last 20 games, New York is 7-13, including a seven-game losing streak that included a sweep at the hands of the Braves. Both the offense and pitching have been in the middle of the pack -- an unacceptable result for a team with the likes of Verlander and Scherzer in the rotation and Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor on offense.

The Mets can still turn it aroundm but they're almost surely not making up 13 games on a team like the Braves. They likely already have their sights set on making a Wild Card run.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.