Heading into the weekend, the Los Angeles Dodgers are leading the National League West with a record of 79-54, holding a three-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks and a four-game lead over the San Diego Padres.
With approximately 30 games remaining in the 2024 MLB regular season, the Dodgers are positioned as the favorites to win the division, which would likely secure them a first-round playoff bye. According to the best online casino Australia, the Dodgers are -800 favorites to win their third straight National League West title.
The Dodgers are also favorites to win the National League Championship and the World Series. As of late August 2024, the Dodgers have odds of +175 to win the National League Pennant, making them the favorites over the Philadelphia Phillies at +225, the Atlanta Braves at +550, and division rivals Diamondbacks (+550) and Padres (700). The Milwaukee Brewers are +800 despite having the league’s third-best record (76-56).
Regarding the World Series, the Dodgers also lead the odds board at +360, ahead of the Phillies (+480) and New York Yankees (+550).
Dodgers 2024 Season
The Dodgers were already the World Series favorites when they signed two-time MVP Shohei Ohtani and Japanese phenom pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to long-term deals during the off-season, and remain the favorites today.
Thus far, Shohei Ohtani has delivered an MVP-level performance, breaking into the 40/40 homerun/steals club earlier than any player before him while playing exclusively as the team’s designated hitter. He leads the National League in both categories, along with lugging (0.619) and OPS (0.999). He is second in RBIs with 95 to the Braves Marcell Ozuna, who has 98. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, expected to return from injury soon, has been quietly effective. In 14 games, he’s given up just 24 runs, won six, and lost two with a WHIP of 1.07 and ERA of 2.92.
Teoscar Hernandez, the 2024 Home Run Derby champion, and Gavin Lux also have career years, contributing significantly to the team’s offensive prowess. The team has received a late-season shot in the ram in the form of the return of former MVP Mookie Betts, slugger Max Muncy, and pitchers Clayton Kershaw, Blake Treinen, and Walker Buehler, who have all returned from injuries to strengthen the already deep roster.
However, the Dodgers have faced challenges with injuries to key players such as Tyler Glasnow, Brusdar Graterol, Yamamoto above, and the recent injury to Freddie Freeman. While Glasnow remains out, Yamamoto and Graterol are progressing in their rehab assignments and could return to provide much-needed depth to the pitching staff.
The Dodgers have two critical series remaining in the season: a four-game set against the Diamondbacks in Arizona this weekend and a three-game series against the Padres at home at the end of September. These matchups will be crucial in determining the final standings in the NL West and securing the division title.
History of the National League West
The National League West is one of Major League Baseball’s six divisions, established in 1969 when the league expanded to 12 teams. The division initially included teams like the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds. Still, its current lineup consists of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants.
The Dodgers have been the most successful team in the division, winning the NL West title 19 times, including a remarkable stretch of eight consecutive titles from 2013 to 2020. Their recent dominance continues, winning the division in the past two seasons and 10 out of the last 11 seasons, including the pandemic-shortened season in 2020. This history of success underscores the Dodgers’ sustained excellence and their position as perennial contenders in the National League.
