MLB American League Playoff Preview
October 3, 2023
NBA Title Odds
October 3, 2023
It’s no surprise to see a pretty big split in the NL futures odds. Atlanta and Los Angeles have been the top two teams in the league all year long, and the Braves and Dodgers are far and away the favorites to win the pennant. The only team playing in the Wild Card Round with baseball futures odds of less than 10-1 to win the NL is Philadelphia, as the Phillies won the league last year and made it to the World Series. Arizona and Miami are seen as pretty big longshots after finishing the season with negative run differentials, and it would be a surprise to see either team advance to the NLDS.
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Odds to Win National League
Atlanta Braves +125
Los Angeles Dodgers +215
Philadelphia Phillies +550
Milwaukee Brewers +1000
Arizona Diamondbacks +1500
Miami Marlins +1800
The Atlanta Braves will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs as the best team in the league during the regular season. That helps them even more than it does other teams this year as No. 2 starter Max Fried and No. 3 starter Charlie Morton are both currently on the 15-day injured list. Both Fried and Morton are expected to return for the NLDS, giving the Braves a fantastic three-man rotation helmed by Spencer Strider.
This is the most intimidating lineup of any playoff team too. Ronald Acuna Jr. should be the 2023 NL MVP after becoming the first player to record 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases in a season, and Matt Olson led the majors with 54 home runs (seven more than the next closest player). Everyone in this lineup is at least a .250 hitter too, so there isn’t a single easy out.
For the 10th time in the last 11 seasons, the Los Angeles Dodgers won the NL West. This is their third straight season with 100 or more wins, and they are always one of the betting favorites to win the World Series. However, they also have a history of underwhelming in the postseason, and this year’s team could easily do the same thing.
The Dodgers were supposed to have one of the most dangerous lineups in the majors, but there are only two hitters to truly fear. Mookie Betts is likely to finish runner-up in the NL MVP race, and Freddie Freeman had another strong season at the dish. Additionally, there are major concerns about the pitching staff with Julio Urias out. Clayton Kershaw is a future Hall of Famer and the ace of the staff, but he has a history of underwhelming playoff performances.
Philadelphia is an interesting pick to win the NL. The Phillies should have little trouble with Miami in the NL Wild Card Round, and they have a team full of veterans that know what it takes to succeed in the postseason after last year’s run to the World Series. They have a strong two-man tandem in Aaron Nola and Zach Wheeler, and Bryce Harper is a superstar.
If you are looking to back one of the long shots to win the NL, the best value lies with Milwaukee. The Brewers have an ace in Corbin Burnes, and they have some solid bats. The big question though revolves around the health of Brandon Woodruff. He missed most of this season due to injury, and he is dealing with an injury to his throwing shoulder.
There is some value in betting Arizona to win the NL Pennant. Zac Gallen has been a stud and just put the finishing touches on a superb season. Merrill Kelly is a very good No. 2 starter, and the Diamondbacks have a sensational youngster in Corbin Carroll. This lineup is pretty solid too, so the DBacks can’t simply be dismissed.
Miami is a team that can be dismissed though. The Marlins were very fortunate to make the postseason, especially since 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara imploded following last year’s strong season. Alcantara won’t be available for the postseason due to injury, so the Fish are expected to go with some unproven arms. Don’t be surprised if this team fails to win a single game.
