MLB Futures: Best Bet to Win NL Pennant (2020)
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Last week we checked in with our writers to find out their best bets to win the American League. This week, we’ve asked our writers for their best bets to win the Senior Circuit.
View all MLB Futures odds for NL Pennant across sportsbooks >>
Here are the odds via FanDuel Sportsbook:
| Team | Odds |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +170 |
| Atlanta Braves | +650 |
| Washington Nationals | +850 |
| New York Mets | +1000 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | +1000 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +1300 |
| Chicago Cubs | +1400 |
| Cincinnati Reds | +1600 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | +1700 |
Find the full listing of odds at FanDuel Sportsbook >>
Q: Who’s your favorite value to win 2020 AL Pennant?
Atlanta Braves (+650)
It is rough that the Braves have to deal with the third, fourth and fifth-best teams in the NL (Mets, Nats, and Phillies) but the Braves are closer to the Dodgers in my estimation than they are to the third-best team in the NL. The bullpen needs some work, but the rotation is both improved and should be getting an infusion of more minor league talent by mid-season. Then you turn to the lineup and see a star-studded group that added Marcell Ozuna and a full season of Austin Riley.
– Bobby Sylvester (@bobbyfantasypro)
The Braves are loaded up and down the lineup. They feature a host of budding young stars in Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, and Austin Riley, combined with a plethora of proven veteran talent that includes Freddie Freeman, Nick Markakis, and offseason acquisition Marcell Ozuna. Starters Max Fried, Mike Soroka, and Mike Foltynewicz should all continue to progress, and the offseason acquisitions of veterans Cole Hamels and Felix Hernandez (minor-league deal) are certainly intriguing should they be able to contribute. The team failed to affectively bolster the bullpen at last year’s trade deadline, and they will be in the market for additional arms come mid-summer again this year. In the meantime, they will hope for closer Mark Melancon to rebound from a shaky 2019 campaign and for free-agent acquisition Will Smith to provide a spark. Playing in the NL East is no easy task, with the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and defending champion Washington Nationals all presumed contenders as well. But in terms of roster depth, the Braves appear to be head and shoulders above their divisional foes. The playoff experience gained in the last two years will serve them well should it come down to them and the Los Angeles Dodgers in a potential NLCS clash.
– Henry John (@HankTimeSports)
New York Mets (+1000)
The Mets finished three games out of a Wild Card spot last year despite tons of injuries and a horrific bullpen. If they stay healthier this year and get better production out of their bullpen, they are as talented as any team in their division. The bullpen should benefit from the addition of Dellin Betances. They are also banking on bounce-back years from Jeurys Familia and closer Edwin Diaz. Back-to-back Cy Young Award winner Jacob Degrom leads a deep and talented pitching staff. All the pieces are in place to contend. Now they just have to live up to the hype.
– Mike Spector (@mikespector)
Cincinnati Reds (+1600)
To say the Reds want to compete in 2020 is an understatement. Nick Castellanos, Mike Moustakas, Freddy Galvis, Nick Senzel, Aristides Aquino, Trevor Bauer, Sonny Gray, Pedro Strop, and Wade Miley have all been added to Cincinnati’s active roster since the start of 2019. They’re a brand-new team in 2020 and should have a brand-new record to show for it. The encouraging part is that the Reds weren’t even that bad last year. Playing in possibly the best division in baseball, the Reds finished at 75-87. The new pieces added, along with the rest of the NL Central’s complacency, might very well be enough to sneak the Reds into the postseason. The Reds have the talent to make some noise this season, but their +1600 odds of winning a pennant doesn’t give the team proper credit.
– Alex Altmix (@Altmix_23)