Looking at the landscape of the National League after a whirlwind offseason, most might think that it’s the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pennant to lose at this point. Though the Dodgers are heavy betting favorites, with odds as low as +150 in some places, we saw last year how a team can get hot at the right time and make a postseason run. The Arizona Diamondbacks were listed as high as +5000 before the 2023 season began, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility for a long shot to come out on top again, but it’s unlikely. Still, let’s dive into the 2024 National League winner odds to discuss our picks and predictions to win the pennant.
Across the National League, it feels like a true two-team race to the finish, which is reflected by bookmakers in the odds – the Dodgers and Atlanta Braves top the board. With Atlanta listed as high as +350 at some books, I’m taking the Braves to knock off the preseason favorites and earn their first trip to the World Series since 2021. Looking for more analysis and picks? Check out our MLB betting promos!
2024 National League Winner Odds, Picks & Predictions
2024 National League Winner Odds
| Team | Odds to Win the NL |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +180 |
| Atlanta Braves | +240 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +750 |
| Chicago Cubs | +1500 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | +1600 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | +2200 |
| San Francisco Giants | +2200 |
| San Diego Padres | +2500 |
| Cincinnati Reds | +2200 |
| New York Mets | +2800 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | +4500 |
| Miami Marlins | +4000 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | +7500 |
| Washington Nationals | +120000 |
| Colorado Rockies | +250000 |
National League Winner Picks & Predictions
The Braves have been a perennial playoff contender, winning the NL East in each of their last six seasons. Armed with the reigning National League MVP in Ronald Acuna Jr. and an outstanding offensive ing cast — plus a stable stream of veteran arms and a seemingly endless supply of pitching prospects in the farm system — the Braves have what it takes to make a deep run in October.
The Atlanta lineup is one of the most imposing offensive juggernauts in the majors and led the MLB in home runs (307), RBI (916), batting average (.276) and slugging percentage (.501) last season. Acuna recorded the first 40-home run, 70-steal season in MLB history while Matt Olson, Acuna, Marcell Ozuna and Ozzie Albies each return to the lineup after driving in at least 100 RBI each. Also returning is Austin Riley, who finished just shy of the century mark with 97 RBI.
The Braves will return eight of nine starting position players from last year’s lineup while Eddie Rosario will likely be replaced in left field by a combination of Adam Duvall and Jarred Kelenic. Duvall got off to a scorching start with the Boston Red Sox last year before an injury shortened his season while Kelenic showed signs of living up to his lofty prospect pedigree with the Seattle Mariners a year ago.
The Braves’ pitching staff is led by breakout ace Spencer Strider, who led the MLB with 20 wins and 281 strikeouts a season ago. Max Fried returns from injury to solidify the SP2 role. Fried went 8-1 in 14 starts last year but was limited to just 77.2 innings pitched. Behind him, 40-year-old Charlie Morton will continue plugging away at opposing batters. Morton pitched to a 14-12 record and a very serviceable 3.64 ERA in 2023 and has been as consistent as they come over the back half of his career.
The Braves’ biggest offseason splash was acquiring former Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale, adding the lanky lefty to their rotation for the 2024 campaign. Since 2019, Sale has pitched just 152.2 innings (31 games) as he battled through several injuries. Before that, Sale was a seven-time All-Star and finished within the top-six in AL Cy Young voting each season from 2012 to 2018. If he can get back on track in Atlanta, the Braves rotation could be one of the best in the big leagues again this season.
Waiting in the wings are pitching prospects like A.J. Smith-Shawver, Dylan Dodd and Hurston Waldrep while guys like Allan Winans, Huascar Ynoa and Darius Vines could also be called upon at some point during the season. The Braves’ depth and skill level at starting pitcher is one the assets they’ll likely rely upon in 2024.
In the bullpen, Raisel Iglesias will look to replicate his 2023 season — he finished with 33 saves on the Braves’ back end. A.J. Minter and Joe Jimenez help anchor a bullpen that finished last season with a 3.81 combined ERA and ranked fifth in the majors with 642 strikeouts in relief.
Though the Braves have looked like world-beaters in each of the last two regular seasons, winning 101 games in 2022 and 104 games in 2023, they’ve underperformed in the playoffs, falling to NL East rival Philadelphia Phillies in the divisional series each of the last two postseasons.
But with a large core of returning players, an embarrassing amount of talent and an experienced coaching staff, there’s pressure on the Braves to improve on their recent playoff woes this year. The taste of failure the past two seasons should fuel Atlanta to power past the competition and back to the World Series, and with nearly double the odds of the NL favorite Dodgers, it feels there’s value in betting on the Braves.
National League Winner Pick: Atlanta Braves +350 on Caesars
