NL Central Winner Odds, Predictions & Picks 2024: Brewers Enter the Break as a Heavy Favorite

• The Milwaukee Brewers enter the All Star break with a 4.5 game lead for first

• The St. Louis Cardinals currently own one of the three wildcard spots

• The preseason favorite Chicago Cubs are in last place in the NL Central standings

Even with just a 4.5 game lead entering the All-Star break, oddsmakers have this as the Brewers division to lose as they have listed them as high as -380 in some sportsbooks. The metrics back up their belief as the Brewers currently rank better than the rest of the division in most key metrics on both sides of the field. Better yet for the Brewers season-long outlook, star closer Devin Williams is nearing his return from injury which will give them a boost to their pitching production.

As for the rest of the division, the St. Louis Cardinals continue to nip at the Brewers' heels as they have a firm lead for second place while in contention for one of the three highly coveted wildcard spots as well. The Pittsburgh Pirates are not too far behind as they continue to defy preseason projections while the youth-filled Cincinnati Reds and preseason betting favorites Chicago Cubs round out the bottom of the NL Central standings.

MLB NL Central Winner Odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM. Click on the odds in the table below to head to BetMGM and place your bets: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets!

MLB NL Central Predictions and Favorites to Win

St. Louis Cardinals (+460) at Caesars

It’s been a turbulent first half of the season for the St. Louis Cardinals as they entered the year as one of the preseason betting favorites to win the NL Central division title in most sportsbooks. After quickly falling flat on their face by crashing down to last place in the division standings, the Cardinals have managed to string together a hot stretch of play and have surged up to second.

Even when in second place and in full control of a wildcard spot, it’s hard to envision the Cardinals sustaining their success as their metrics do not back it up. As of writing, the Cardinals currently rank below league average in offensive On Base Percentage, Runs Scored, RBIs, and Defensive Efficiency. They do field a productive pitching staff by ranking in the top half of the board in Team Total Pitching ERA, but that is hardly enough for them to make the leap over the Brewers for the division title.

Bet on St. Louis Cardinals (+460) at Caesars 

Cincinnati Reds (+1800) at Caesars

After ending the 2023 season with one of the more explosive offenses off the bats of a youth filled core, the Reds were projected to be one of the contenders for the division title heading into 2024. That has yet to be the case as their offense continues to severely underwhelm, ranking near dead last in Team Total Hits and below league average in On Base Percentage.

Even more frustrating, the Reds finally field a productive defense that ranks above league average in Team Total Pitching ERA and Defensive Efficiency. A lack of defensive production was their downfall last season, now once again failing to be a well rounded unit with their struggles on the other side of the field. Until the Reds can show they can round back into form on offense, then continue to fade them in division title futures markets.

Bet on Cincinnati Reds (+1800) at Caesars 

Chicago Cubs (+2500) at Caesars

Entering the year tied with the Cardinals as one of the preseason favorites to win the NL Central division title, the Cubs have yet to look the part as they enter the All Star break in last place in the division standings. Not all hope is lost as they are only 8.5 games back from first, but each passing day brings a higher level of urgency for them to round back into form and climb back up the standings.

Should the Cubs want to salvage their season, then their offense will need to find life as they enter the second half of the season ranked below league average in Team Total Hits, RBIs, Total Runs Scored, and On Base Percentage. Their impressive marks on defense are not enough to string together the consistency needed in order to make a run. Should the Cubs become buyers for their offense as we near the trade deadline, then their current odds are worth a wager as a hedge piece with the Brewers.

Bet on Chicago Bears (+2500) at Caesars 

Pittsburgh Pirates (+2500) at BetMGM

Projected to be one of the bottom dwellers of the league, the Pittsburgh Pirates continue to defy preseason expectations by hovering around wildcard contention. They seemingly find themselves making the rounds on social media, especially when Rookie of the Year favorite and Cy Young contender Paul Skenes takes the mound as one of the most dominant arms in the league.

The issue for the Pirates season long outlook is that Paul Skenes can not start every day and the Pirates lack the production elsewhere to be an actual division title contender. Entering the second half of the season, the Pirates rank below league average in offensive On Base Percentage, RBIs, Total Runs Scored, Team Total Hits, and Defensive Efficiency. On the bright side, the Pirates look to be nearing the end of their rebuild and are a few offensive pieces away from contending for the division title next year.

Bet on Pittsburgh Pirates (+2500) at BetMGM 

Who Will Win the NL Central in 2024? 

My Pick - Milwaukee Brewers (-300) at BetMGM

After being listed as high as +1000 to win the NL Central division title in the preseason, the Brewers have quickly managed to grab the top spot of the division standings and have yet to relinquish their position. Even with just a 4.5 game lead at the halfway point of the season, oddsmakers believe this is the Brewers division title to lose as they have listed them as high as -380 in some online sportsbooks.

Their juiced-up odds are well deserved as the Brewers currently rank better than the rest of the division in offensive Team Total Hits, RBIs, Total Runs Scored, On Base Percentage, and Defensive Efficiency while their pitching staff ranks second in Team Total Pitching ERA. Even more impressive, the Brewers have managed to ward off negative regression while without star closer Devin Williams. Upon his return, expect Williams to limit their late-game variance and string together more success on their way to a division title.

Bet on Milwaukee Brewers (-300) at BetMGM 

NL Central Winner History 

The chance for a repeat division champion for the first time since the Cubs did it back in 2016-2017 is becoming more realistic with each passing day as the Brewers continue to hold onto their lead for first place in the NL Central standings. No one really stands out as an immediate contender when comparing metrics, yet the Cardinals, Pirates, Reds, and Cubs are not too far behind them in the standings. There is still plenty of season left to be played, yet the looming boost of production with star closer Devin Williams coming back from injury while their offense continues to dominate gives the Brewers a good chance to repeat as a division champion.

NL Central Winners

How to Read NL Central Winner Odds 

When looking to make any type of wager, it’s key to know how the listed odds work before placing it. With the Brewers currently at -300 odds, that means you would need to wager $300 to win $100. If you were to take the Cardinals instead at +460 right now, then that means a $100 wager would profit you $460 if they were to win the NL Central.

How to Choose the Best Sportsbook for Betting on the NL Central

With the NL Central pegged to be a tight race until the very end, it’s vital to have as many online sportsbooks as you can get in order to line shop. Starting with the Brewers, you can find them as high as -380 at Caesars, while their lowest listed odds are -300 at BetMGM. That is a $80 difference in a tied up wager for a $100 bettor. 

Each sportsbook also has their own unique new user promotions, giving their users a major head start with bonus bets during the MLB season. Caesars Sportsbook for example is giving new users up to $1,000 in bonus bets back should they lose their first wager after creating an account and making a deposit.

*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.

Check Out Other MLB Division Futures

• AL East Winner 2024

• AL Central Winner 2024 

• AL West Winner 2024 

• NL East Winner 2024

• NL West Winner 2024