It’s The Dodgers And Everyone Else As The NL 2nd Half Begins

We always knew the Dodgers were going to be good this season. Just take a look back on the NL teams odds to win the World Series to start the season:

• Los Angeles Dodgers: +800
• Chicago Cubs: +900
• Atlanta Braves: +1400
• Milwaukee Brewers: +1400
• Washington Nationals: +1800

Checking in halfway through the season, the forecast of LA has only gotten sunnier: 

• Los Angeles Dodgers: +270
• Chicago Cubs: +2000
• Atlanta Braves: +800
• Milwaukee Brewers: +2500
• Washington Nationals: +2800

 

It’s clear that the Dodgers are and will continue to be the clear favorite in the NL, with Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and Walker Buehler leading the way. They seem to be on a mission. 

 

But who joins them in the playoffs? The NL East and Central feel like they’ll go down to the wire with no team taking control in the first half. It’s almost easier to figure out who won’t be in the playoffs: The Mets, Marlins, and Giants

Everyone else? As Lloyd says in Dumb and Dumber, “So you’re saying there’s a chance?” Let’s look.

 

Arizona Diamondbacks

Odds to win the World Series: +7500

Odds to win the NL: +4000

Odds to win the NL West: +6600

 

Pittsburgh Pirates

Odds to win the World Series: +7500

Odds to win the NL: +6000

Odds to win the NL Central: +900

 

Cincinnati Reds

Odds to win the World Series: +6000

Odds to win the NL: +5000

Odds to win the NL Central: +1000

 

San Diego Padres

Odds to win the World Series: +10000

Odds to win the NL: +4000

Odds to win the NL West: +6600

 

Colorado Rockies

Odds to win the World Series: +6600

Odds to win the NL: +3300

Odds to win the NL West: +5000

 

The longshots. We put them in here because, in truth, none are very far out of the wild card spots (the Reds are the farthest out at 4.5 games back), and the Pirates (2.5 games back) and the Reds (4.5 games back) still have a legitimate shot in the NL Central. If you know something no one else knows, they will pay off handsomely and you can parlay your picks into a job working for 888. 

 

St. Louis Cardinals

Odds to win the World Series: +5000

Odds to win the NL: +2800

Odds to win the NL Central: +450

 

Will the real St. Louis Cardinals please report to the National League, ASAP? The Cards started the year with decent expectations (+1800 to win it all) but have spent the first half of the season fumbling around the NL, and while some of the blame can be put on injuries, a big part of the burden lies on the burly shoulders of newly acquired slugger Pau Goldschmidt, who has seen his production slump away from Arizona. But the core is there, and Goldschmidt seems like he’s ready to right the ship, so at +2800 to win the NL, this might be a great team to take a chance on. 

 

Washington Nationals

Odds to win the World Series: +2800

Odds to win the NL: +1200

Odds to win the NL East: +650

 

Milwaukee Brewers

Odds to win the World Series: +2800

Odds to win the NL: +1200

Odds to win the NL Central: +185

 

Philadelphia Phillies

Odds to win the World Series: +2200

Odds to win the NL: +1100

Odds to win the NL East: +800

 

Let’s just say it: all three of these teams are pretty big disappointments. But just because it bugs them the most, Philly is the biggest. Bryce Harper and Aaron Nola were supposed to lead this team to greatness, but both had less than stellar first halves. Fortunately for the Phils, both started to look much better in the past few weeks, and they currently hold one of the wild card spots, so a big second half could see them become a little more feared. The Nationals just need a bullpen. Anyone else but who they have. With smart additions at the trading deadline, they too could see their fortunes dramatically improve. As for Milwaukee, they need their starting pitching to be more consistent, their hitters to pop a single or double every once in a while instead of trying to clear the fence every time, and Christian Yelich to keep doing what he always does.

 

Atlanta Braves

Odds to win the World Series: -590

Odds to win the NL: +300

Odds to win the NL East: +800

 

Chicago Cubs

Odds to win the World Series: +2000

Odds to win the NL: +900

Odds to win the NL Central: +145

 

Finally, we’ll label this group, “You’re Good, But Why Aren’t You Better?” The Braves are a dynasty in the making, an NL version of the Astros with amazing young talent locked into long-term, team-friendly contracts. And while some of those pieces are clicking (Muncy, Acuna) not all of them have (most of the starting pitching staff), so look for the Braves to utilize some of that stocked far system to go out and get a frontline pitcher or two. As for the Cubs, they need offense. Like the Brewers, they can outslug most teams, but they need people to be on board when they do. Again, maybe a few trades will help. Or maybe Ben Zobrist will eventually turn up and they can solve it from within. But with the rest of the NL Central just a few games behind them, they better figure it out quick

 

Get ready for a wild ride in the second half and good luck!