MLB Futures: Best & Worst Values to Win 2019 NL Pennant

Last week we took a look at which odds offered the best and worst values for MLB futures sports betting when it came to winning the American League Pennant. Next, we’ll take a look at the best and worst values among teams vying to represent the National League in the 2019 World Series. Here is a full list of odds for the NL clubs:

Team	Odds
Los Angeles Dodgers	4/1
Chicago Cubs	7/1
Philadelphia Phillies	7/1
St. Louis Cardinals	7/1
Atlanta Braves	8/1
Milwaukee Brewers	8/1
Washington Nationals	8/1
New York Mets	10/1
Colorado Rockies	14/1
Cincinnati Reds	25/1
Arizona Diamondbacks	40/1
Pittsburgh Pirates	40/1
San Diego Padres	40/1
San Francisco Giants	40/1
Miami Marlins	125/1

Best value to win 2019 NL Pennant

New York Mets: 10/1
“This one may make you feel sick to your stomach, but if you want to make cash rain, the Mets are my favorite sleeper to win it all. They’ve got the best 1-2 combo in any MLB rotation with deGrom and Thor, which as we’ve seen before, can carry a team through the playoffs. Not only that, but their bullpen features two lockdown arms in Edwin Diaz and Jeurys Familia. The lineup isn’t too shabby either with Nimmo (.886 OPS), Ramos (second best offensive catcher in baseball), Lowrie (back-to-back .800 OPS seasons), Cano, perhaps a healthy Conforto, Cespedes returning eventually and Peter Alonso who may be the best offensive rookie in the NL. Don’t sleep on them sneaking into the Bryce Harper sweepstakes either considering the need, window to win and that their revenue was $160 million above their payroll last season.”
– Bobby Sylvester (@bobbyfantasypro)

Milwaukee Brewers: 8/1
The Brewers have 2018’s NL MVP, had the best record in the NL last season, and didn’t lose anyone important…yet they have just the seventh-best odds to win the NL pennant. Their starting lineup is dominant with all of Aguilar, Thames, Shaw, Grandal, Braun, Cain and Yelich projecting above a 113 wRC+…with five of them projecting over an .805 OPS. This is a lineup that can put up runs in a hurry, which is good, because their starting rotation leaves a lot to be desired. Chacin had a decent season in 2018, finishing with a 3.50 ERA. His xFIP was up at 4.47, though, which could indicate regression. As long as the starters can perform league-average production their bullpen can make up for it. They have one of the best bullpens in baseball, headlined by the young superstar Josh Hader. I wouldn’t call them the favorites to win the pennant, but they shouldn’t have the seventh-best odds.
– Nick Zylak (@nickzylakFFA)

St. Louis Cardinals: 7/1
“The National League seems to be more wide-open than their American League counterpart. St. Louis is in one of the toughest divisions in all of baseball, but they boast arguably the strongest lineup in the National League.”
– Shane Davies (@sbdavies7)

Washington Nationals: 8/1
“At 8-1 the Washington Nationals are my top value pick to win the NL pennant. While the Los Angeles Dodgers are still the favorite to take the pennant, the Nationals have a very good case. They boast one of the best starting rotations in baseball, and despite possibly losing Bryce Harper in the coming days can still field a strong offense. The Nationals are arguably still the best team in the NL East, and should easily win more games than the 92 the Dodgers won in 2018. The odds here are good enough to even consider a hedge bet if one should feel so inclined. The Nationals should be one of the more exciting teams to watch this season and standout as a good futures value.”
– Raju Byfield (@FantasyContext)

Worst value to win 2019 NL Pennant

Philadelphia Phillies: 7/1
“Lol wut!? 7 to 1 odds the Phillies win the National League Pennant? If you could give them Harper AND Machado then we might be talking, but as of now, they are the fourth best team in their division behind Washington, New York, and Atlanta, who might all have enough to win 90 games. I understand the optimism any time a team improves over the offseason, but we are looking at a league-average lineup, league-average bullpen and a rotation that outside of Aaron Nola, is among the worst in the National League. Hard pass.”
– Bobby Sylvester (@bobbyfantasypro)

Washington Nationals: 8/1
“I apologize if any of you are Nationals fans…but the Nationals are never the answer. Ever. Not only have they never won the Pennant, but they have never even made it to the NLCS. They’ve had one of the best on-paper rosters each of the past few seasons, yet they never do anything in the playoffs. Now they’re going to lose Bryce Harper. There’s no way they deserve the sixth-best odds to win the Pennant. They already have to compete with an up-and-coming Braves team, and now they have the Phillies potentially signing Harper. There are just too many things going against the Nationals to take them at 8/1 odds.”
– Nick Zylak (@nickzylakFFA)

Miami Marlins: 125/1
“When betting on a longshot or ‘chasing a dog,’ you at least need the possibility of the wager paying out. The Miami Marlins do not present that possibility. The worst team in the National league in 2018, the Marlins have done nothing inspiring this offseason to change their fortunes. With arguably the worst starting lineup and starting rotation in baseball, the Marlins provide zero value despite the tremendous 125-1 odds.”
– Raju Byfield (@FantasyContext)