Favorites to Win the 2022 National League Pennant

For most of the last decade, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been among the favorites to win the National League pennant. It’s no different this season as the Boys in Blue sit at the top of the betting board and are substantial favorites over the rest of the NL. 

The roster has changed slightly, but once again the talent is there which is why the Dodgers are also the favorite to win this year’s World Series. Remember though, this was the case last season. A number of challengers, including defending NL and World Series champion Atlanta, will not make it easy for L.A. Here’s a look at the favorites to win the 2022 National League Pennant.

Dodgers Again

The Dodgers lineup is ridiculous. They lose an All-Star and former Rookie of the Year and World Series MVP in Corey Seager and lose one of the best pitchers of the last decade in Max Scherzer and they don’t even bat an eye. 

Los Angeles will once again field a lineup of All-Stars. Opposing pitchers will contend with Mookie Betts, Trae Turner, Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, Gavin Lux, and Justin Turner. For good measure, the Dodgers went out and got former NL MVP Freddie Freeman in the offseason. 

Then, there is the pitching. Clayton Kershaw is a three-time Cy Young winner and he has yet to re-sign. Trevor Bauer has yet to return, but if both of those guys come back the Dodgers will be exceptional. Even without them, L.A. is still pretty good with Julio Urias, Walker Buehler, and Dustin May. It’s why the Dodgers are given +240 odds to win the NL in 2022 at top rated sportsbooks.

Mets Make Offseason Moves

Contenders have to have pitching and the New York Mets went out and got one of the best in the offseason. Max Scherzer, who wound up 15-4 with a 0.86 WHIP last season, is now a Met. He held opposing hitters to a .186 batting average last season. He and a healthy Jacob deGrom will make what is probably the best one-two pitching punch in the majors. Don’t forget, the Mets also have Taijuan Walker, Carlos Carrasco, and Chris Bassitt.

The Mets can hit too. The offense has former NL Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso who hit 37 homers and knocked in 94 runs last season. There is Francisco Lindor at shortstop and the Mets acquired Starling Marte in the offseason. Robinson Cano also returns healthy. The Mets are actually second on the board behind L.A. at +500 odds.

Don’t Count Us Out

The Braves are also given +500 odds. Don’t count them out this season even after losing Freeman to the Dodgers. Atlanta signed Matt Olson from Oakland and star Ronald Acuna Jr. will be back in the lineup sometime in May. The Braves have a formidable lineup with guys like Dansby Swanson, Marcell Ozuna, and Austin Riley.

Atlanta’s pitching rotation is also solid with Charlie Morton and Max Fried leading the way. The Braves also signed former Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen in the offseason.

Too many might forget San Diego too. The Padres are another deadly lineup with hitters like Eric Hosmer, Manny Machado, and Fernando Tatis. San Diego has solid pitching as well led by former Cy Young winner Blake Snell. Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove are both back and the Padres are given +850 odds to win the NL.

The Sleeper

It’s almost hard to call them a sleeper at +700 at online sportsbooks, but the Milwaukee Brewers are often overlooked being a small-market team. The Brewers have exactly what it takes to win championships – quality pitching. Milwaukee had not one, but two pitchers among the top five in the NL Cy Young voting last year. Corbin Burnes won the award with an NL-best 2.43 ERA. Teammate Brandon Woodruff recorded an ERA of 2.56.

Milwaukee can also produce runs with former NL MVP Christian Yelich, Hunter Renfroe, and Kolten Wong. The Brewers proved they were worthy last year winning the NL Central Division before bowing out to Atlanta in the NLDS.