As we approach the 2024 MLB All-Star break, the race for the National League pennant is heating up. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Milwaukee Brewers command divisional leads. At the same time, the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres have a leg up in the three-team Wildcard field, with six teams within four and a half games of the final spot.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, despite trailing the Phillies by four games, the Dodgers remain the odds-on favorite to advance to the World Series.
National League Pennant Contenders
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Los Angeles opened the season as National League and World Series favorites, and they remain that way just past the halfway point.
Los Angeles Dodgers (+160)
Our Boys in Blue continue to dominate the National League, living up to their preseason favorite status. 87 games into the season, the Dodgers boast an impressive 53-34 record, maintaining a commanding 7.5 game lead in the National League West. They’re currently 4.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the best record in the National League. Despite recent injuries to Mookie Betts and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers’ depth has shone through. The offseason acquisitions of Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow have paid dividends, with Ohtani leading the league in home runs and Glasnow anchoring the rotation.
Manager Dave Roberts has masterfully juggled the lineup, keeping the offense firing on all cylinders. The bullpen, led by Evan Phillips, has been lights out. If the Dodgers can get healthy for the stretch run, they’ll be tough to beat in October.
Philadelphia Phillies (+260)
The Philadelphia Phillies have maintained their momentum from last year’s postseason, positioning themselves as a formidable contender in the National League. Bryce Harper delivers an MVP-caliber season, significantly boosting the team’s offensive prowess. The Phillies’ rotation, featuring Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Taijuan Walker, has been consistently strong, providing a solid foundation for their success. Their offensively and defensively balanced attack makes them a serious threat to the Dodgers’ dominance in the National League. They hold the best record in the National League, underscoring their potential to advance deep into the playoffs and possibly reach the World Series.
Atlanta Braves (+425)
The Atlanta Braves, perennial contenders in the National League, have faced a significant setback with the season-ending knee injury to Ronald Acuña Jr. Despite this loss, the team remains competitive, thanks in part to the strong performance of Marcell Ozuna and the addition of Chris Sale to their rotation. The Braves’ young core, including Ozzie Albies, continues to drive their success. However, questions about their bullpen depth persist, which could be a critical factor in their postseason performance. Nevertheless, the Braves are still a strong contender in the NL East and have the potential to make a deep playoff run.
Milwaukee Brewers (+900)
The Milwaukee Brewers have emerged as a surprise contender this season, leading the National League Central division. Corbin Burnes is having a standout season, making a solid case for the Cy Young Award, while Christian Yelich has returned to his top form, significantly boosting the team’s offense. The Brewers’ pitching depth is one of their key strengths, making them a dark horse candidate for the National League title. Their first-half solid performance has positioned them well for a potential playoff run, and they could be a challenging opponent in the postseason.
San Diego Padres (+2500)
The San Diego Padres have had a slow start to the season but have managed to claw their way back into contention. The dynamic duo of Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado is finally clicking, providing a potent offensive threat. The Padres’ rotation has been solid, contributing to their resurgence in the standings. Despite still trailing the Dodgers in the National League West, the Padres have the potential to be a formidable opponent in the playoffs. Their odds reflect their challenges, but their recent performance indicates they could be a tough team to beat in the postseason.
These teams each have unique strengths and challenges, making the race for the National League title and a spot in the World Series highly competitive.
Longshots
The long shots in the National League pennant race include the Arizona Diamondbacks (+2800), St. Louis Cardinals (+2200), New York Mets (+3400), San Francisco Giants (+4500), and Chicago Cubs (+7000). While these teams face steeper odds, the unpredictable nature of baseball means they can’t be ultimately counted out as the season progresses.
Trade Deadline Rumors
As we approach the July 30 trade deadline, rumors are swirling. The Dodgers, despite their strong position, are reportedly in the market for bullpen help. Names like Josh Hader and David Bednar have been mentioned as potential targets.
The Phillies are looking for starting pitching depth, while the Braves are exploring outfield options. Surprisingly, the Brewers might be sellers if they fall out of contention, with Burnes potentially on the block.
The Dodgers will likely focus on shoring up any weaknesses for the postseason run. President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman has a history of making wise deadline moves, and fans can expect the team to be active in the coming weeks.
As we head into the second half of the season, the Dodgers remain the team to beat in the National League. However, in baseball, anything can happen in October. The race for the pennant promises to be exciting, and Dodger fans have plenty to look forward to as we approach the home stretch.
