With the 2025 Major League Baseball postseason just around the corner, the National League playoff picture is coming into sharper focus. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Philadelphia Phillies have emerged as the top three favorites to claim the NL pennant, each with realistic chances of representing the league in the World Series. As betting on baseball continues to attract significant attention in the closing weeks of the regular season, the current odds and team performance offer an intriguing snapshot of which clubs hold the upper hand and what obstacles remain on their path to October glory.
The Dodgers are again central to the National League narrative, but the Brewers and Phillies have staked legitimate claims as challengers. Each team has posted impressive results in the regular season and enters the postseason with distinct strengths, recent head-to-head outcomes, and star players performing at or near their peaks.
Dodgers Remain the Team to Beat
Entering the final stretch, the Los Angeles Dodgers are widely regarded as the top betting favorite to win the National League pennant, recently listed at +300 odds after their World Series triumph last year. The club sits in first place in the National League West, holding an 86-67 record with only a handful of games remaining, cementing their status as a top-two seed. The Dodgers’ deep roster ensures they avoid the Wild Card Series, setting up a direct path into the Division Series and providing a crucial rest advantage.
At the heart of the Dodgers’ 2025 campaign is Shohei Ohtani, whose two-way impact has transformed the lineup. Ohtani’s 51 home runs are the second most in the National League, further solidifying his MVP credentials. His offensive contributions include a National League-best 1.011 OPS and a team-high 95 RBI. In comparison, veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman delivers consistent production with a .295 batting average and a 0.860 OPS, the 8th best in the league. The supporting cast features contributions from a rejuvenated Mookie Betts, catcher Will Smith, and second-year sensation Andy Pages.
On the mound, the Dodgers have benefited from a balanced rotation bolstered by strategic trades and the stability provided by their established starters. While injuries have occasionally tested their depth, Los Angeles has maintained a team ERA among the league’s best, with starters Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto shining over the last month, and Ohtani, Clayton Kershaw, and Emmitt Sheehan also contributing at high levels. While anchored by experienced closers, their bullpen has struggled in tight contests during the second half of the season. Even with these advantages, the postseason will bring immediate challenges—especially in light of recent performances against the other National League favorites.
Brewers’ Edge in Head-to-Head Matchups
The Milwaukee Brewers, recently clinching their division and holding the best record in the National League, have been a significant obstacle for the Dodgers this season. Milwaukee swept the Dodgers during their season matchups, including a dramatic 6-5 win that completed a season sweep and marked the Brewers’ tenth consecutive victory. Such performances have translated directly into strong postseason odds, where the Brewers currently sit as the third favorite to win the pennant, with odds reflective of their dominant play.
Statistically, the Brewers are propelled by balanced lineups and effective pitching. Key contributors include William Contreras, whose production in the leadoff spot sets the table consistently, and Christian Yelich, who has powered the offense in critical games. Milwaukee’s team batting average ranks among the better marks in the league. At the same time, their pitching staff boasts a sub-3.90 ERA, anchored by reliable starting arms and a bullpen that has minimized late-game collapses. The combination of timely hitting and defensive discipline has made them a genuine threat in every postseason scenario.
Importantly, Milwaukee’s track record against top seeds—especially against Los Angeles—cannot be ignored. Despite the Dodgers’ overall edge in talent, the Brewers’ ability to claim every meeting between the clubs during the 2025 season gives them tactical and psychological momentum as October approaches.
Phillies Making a Late-Season Push
While the Dodgers and Brewers have dominated their respective divisions, the Philadelphia Phillies have surged in the second half, clinching the NL East and establishing themselves as the second betting favorite at +250 odds to win the pennant. The Phillies’ recent visit to Los Angeles reinforced their contender status, as they took two of three games against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium—a clear message that this group is unfazed by any opponent or stage.
Bryce Harper headlines Philadelphia’s offensive surge, delivering 32 home runs and a .378 OBP while driving in 89 runs. Alec Bohm has added critical production in the middle of the lineup, and Kyle Schwarber provides left-handed power and a high walk rate. As a team, the Phillies rank sixth in the National League in runs scored (743) and have launched 197 home runs, placing them firmly in the top ten league-wide. Their pitching staff, featuring Zack Wheeler (2.71 ERA, 195 strikeouts) and Cristopher Sánchez (2.66 ERA), gives Philadelphia one of the league’s few true power duos atop the rotation.
Philadelphia’s season record against the Dodgers stands at 4-2, including the pivotal September series in which they captured two wins on the road. These results reflect the club’s hot form and their ability to match up well with even the league’s deepest rosters.
Current Seeds and Playoff Implications
With just days remaining in the regular season, the Brewers hold the top seed in the National League, ensuring home-field advantage throughout the National League playoffs. The Dodgers, as the National League West leaders, secure either the first or second seed, granting them a direct bye to the Division Series. Having clinched its division early, Philadelphia is safely assured of a top-three seed, likely to draw one of the Wild Card winners in the opening round should seeding hold.
This alignment means all three teams enter the postseason with bye advantages or favorable matchups and an opportunity to reset their pitching rotations. Each club’s postseason path will be shaped not only by their own strengths but how they respond to the distinct challenges posed by the other frontrunners.
Final Observations
As the playoffs near, the National League’s top tier feels more competitive than at any point in the past several seasons. The Dodgers’ blend of superstar power and seasoned pitching, the Brewers’ mastery against Los Angeles, and the Phillies’ timely run through September all set the stage for what should be an unpredictable and tightly contested race to the pennant. Betting markets reflect the closeness of the field, with little separating the top three in odds or recent head-to-head performance.
Whether experience, recent momentum, or superior depth ultimately prevails remains unknown. What is clear, however, is that each of these clubs holds the capacity to emerge atop the National League—and that the actual outcome may well hinge on a critical moment or a key matchup once postseason baseball begins.
