The MLB season kicks off in a couple of days and the National League is shaping up to be as competitive as ever. There are multiple teams that could make some surprising noise based on the odds ahead of the season’s start.
With that said, we put together some of the best bets for the National League ahead of Opening Day on Thursday, March 30. Check below for some of the best bets in the online sports betting market to consider wagering on today.
MLB Odds: Best Bets for the National League
Juan Soto to win NL MVP: (+550 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
The Juan Soto questions were finally put to rest last year when the San Diego Padres coughed up what was needed to get the Washington Nationals to trade their young star. Soto struggled his last year in Washington and that continued into the start of his tenure with the Padres. Now, he will have a full offseason with his new team, which should allow him to reset mentally.
If the outfielder returns to form and gets his batting average back to over .300, his overall production should be good enough to win the NL MVP award, especially if the Padres challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers for the division title. He’ll have to compete with several of his teammates and a good portion of the Dodgers’ lineup, but his timely hitting and plate discipline sets him up to have the biggest impact on winning.
Although has only been around for five years, his career OBP is significantly better than the other contenders. If that continues this year, his impact will be undeniable in what is set to be an incredibly competitive year.
Wager on Soto to win NL MVP with a $1,000 No Sweat First Bet from FanDuel Sportsbook.
New York Mets to win NL East (+170 at Caesars Sportsbook)
The Mets tied for the division title last year with the Braves, who they are destined to battle it out with again this year. Both teams have a case for the best starting rotation in baseball, but the Mets’ depth is the better of the two. Both staffs are just about guaranteed to have an impact in the long and daunting MLB season.
Although they lost Jacob deGrom in the offseason to the Texas Rangers and closer Edwin Diaz to injury in the World Baseball Classic, the Mets spent $500 million during the offseason. A good portion of that went to pitching. They’ll have to make another move to replace Diaz, but their pitching sets them up nicely to steal the division this season.
Bet on the Mets to win the NL East with $1,250 from Caesars Sportsbook
Atlanta Braves to Win the NL Pennant (+370 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
Yes, the Mets may win the division during the regular season, but the playoffs are a completely different set of events to wager on. Justin Verlander finally got the World Series monkey off his back last season with the Astros, and he will have to prove he can continue his regular season dominance in the biggest market in sports. If he falters at all, the Mets are going to have a hard time containing the monstrous lineups in the NL come playoff time. So, picking Atlanta to win the NL although we have the Mets to win the division is based on a lack of confidence in Verlander in the biggest moments.
As for the Atlanta Braves, they ran into the Philadelphia Phillies last year, who just happened to get hot at the right time. They blasted the Braves’ starting pitching to dispatch the juggernauts in four games. Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and company had an unreal postseason, with Harper batting in the .400s. That happens in baseball, but it hardly happens to a team of the Braves’ caliber twice — unless you’re the Dodgers who are prone to letdowns come playoff time.
If the Braves do run into another hot team, there isn’t a Bryce Harper they’ll have to worry about. Additionally, the Braves will have a top-five batting and pitching lineup heading into the season, at least on paper. If they live up to their abilities, they will be an extremely difficult out for any team in the majors come October.
Bet on the Braves to win the NL Pennant with $1,250 in bonuses from DraftKings.
Article contributed by David Fletcher.
