National League Winner Odds: Powerhouses Are Rising to the Top

As February's days begin to wane, respective MLB teams have arrived in either Arizona or Florida for Spring Training.

Alas, baseball season is upon us. The 2024 campaign will provide many exciting storylines and battles deep into the summer. Of note, the ensuing race for the National League pennant should be particularly contentious.

With Cactus and Grapefruit League action freshly underway, let us take a look ahead, keeping in mind the NL winner odds. Who has the best shot to win the Senior Circuit in the coming year?

All MLB odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

National League Winner Odds

Los Angeles Dodgers (+165)

Like Godzilla rising out of the Pacific Ocean, the Los Angeles Dodgers are an eager juggernaut in 2024.

The "Boys in Blue" have not hoisted the National League pennant since the COVID-shortened season of 2020. Still, that makes for three league titles since 2017, which is the most in the NL during that span. Considering the team's roster transactions over the recent offseason, Los Angeles appears hellbent on adding another flag.

Japanese sensations Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will join a hyper-talented team up at Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers also added slugging outfielder Teoscar Hernandez along with re-signing southpaw hurler Clayton Kershaw. From there, Dodger stars Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman are still playing prime ball.

In 2023, the "Hollywood Swingers" did well to log a 100-62 regular-season record. Of course, the heavily favored Dodgers were then bounced by the Arizona Diamondbacks (last season's pennant winner) in the NLDS. We'll see if this group can make good on one of skipper Dave Roberts' "guarantees."

Unlike divisional markets, this wager is dependent on postseason success. Naturally, for a team to win the league, they must first get through at least two playoff series. For the Dodgers, they have gone one-and-done in each of the past two campaigns.

Recent playoff struggles aside, Los Angeles (1.30 nERD) is viewed as MLB's top team, per numberFire.

Atlanta Braves (+250)

Another side charged up for the 2024 season, the Atlanta Braves boast a roster built to go the distance. Like the Dodgers, the Braves are a frontrunner to win the National League as well as in the World Series market (showing +450 odds to go all the way at FanDuel Sportsbook).

The Braves won the Senior Circuit as recently as 2021. That year, Atlanta bested a 106-win Dodgers team in the NLCS. Of course, ATL also went on to win the World Series. Looking around, they seem to have that "championship or bust" mentality.

Manager Brian Snitker will return for his eighth season with the Braves. In his tenure, Atlanta has qualified for the playoffs on six separate occasions. They have also won the NL East six years running. Over that sample of postseason runs, the Braves have twice qualified for the NLCS (going 1-1).

ATL will again be powered by dynamic stars like Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna Jr. -- the latter of whom being the reigning National League MVP. Of course, we know the Braves have pop; they paced MLB with 307 home runs in 2023, which tied an all-time record.

On the hill, Atlanta will again showcase dominant arms. At just 25 years old, Spencer Strider is one of the most electric pitchers in the game. From there, Charlie Morton and Bryce Elder round out the top of the rotation. Can these three power ATL back to the promised land?

Philadelphia Phillies (+800)

Of the top-five teams in FanDuel Sportsbook's NL pennant odds market, the Philadelphia Phillies are our most recent winners here. In 2022, the Fightin' Phils earned a Wild Card spot before going through the St. Louis Cardinals, aforementioned Braves, and San Diego Padres to reach the World Series.

It should be noted that Philadelphia has participated in the NLCS in back-to-back campaigns. More recently, they let a trip to the 2023 World Series slip through their fingers after losing to Arizona in seven games -- I'd imagine the Phillies return with strong motivation.

Philadelphia has the tough task of competing through the NL East, but as exemplified over the past two years, winning the division is not a requirement to win the overall league.

In 2024, Phillies manager Rob Thompson will look to continue improvement in the "City of Brotherly Love." Since taking over for Joe Girardi early in 2022, the Phils have produced a combined record of 155-118 in addition to two deep playoff runs.

Philly features another explosive lineup in the coming campaign. Middle infielders Trea Turner and Bryson Stott set the table while boppers Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos provide the pop.

Yielding eight-to-one odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, the Phils have value in this market. However, Philadelphia -- across all professional sporting leagues -- has suffered its share of playoff woes in recent years.

St. Louis Cardinals (+1600)

Undoubtedly, the St. Louis Cardinals were one of the NL's most disappointing teams. Despite acquiring new talent, St. Louis managed a dismal 71-91 record, which left them dead last in the NL Central. To make matters worse, the Red Birds finished tied for second-worst in the Senior Circuit.

The Cards are expecting a major subversion in 2024. However, St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol has gotten mixed results out of this ball club. Through two prior seasons at the post, Marmol has produced a 164-160 record.

Further back, the Cardinals have not made it past the Wild Card round since 2019. As one of the most successful franchises in MLB, St. Louis last won the pennant in 2013 -- that is quite a while for the Red Birds' high standards.

In the coming year, FanDuel Sportsbook views the Cardinals as favorites to win the NL Central (+140 odds). For that to happen, they'll need to get by the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds. Simply, I see this grouping as the toughest to gauge in 2024 -- who really has the upper hand here?

St. Louis has unrivaled skill and experience on the corners; Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt will both have their place in Cooperstown one day. Also, shortstop Tommy Edman is a gritty player.

Of course, the pitching will need to improve in "Gateway City." In 2023, the Cards produced a team ERA of 4.79 (fourth-worst in the National League).

Looking for more MLB betting opportunities? Check out all of the MLB odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

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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.