Guess Who's the Odds-On Favorite to Win the NL Central (At Least, According to One Book)?

The one over-arching goal for the Chicago Cubs this offseason has always been to be the best NL Central team on-paper by the time the season begins. Sure, they haven’t stated that goal publicly, but given where they were last year heading into this year, I think it goes without saying.

But they’re not there yet. Despite the very welcomed-additions of Shota Imanaga, Hector Neris, and Michael Busch this offseason, the Cubs still have more work to do, particularly on offense where they need at least one more blue chip bat (and you can always use more pitching).

But the betting public often leads with its heart, and many either think the Cubs are already the best team in the NL Central or that they’ll get there before the season begins. According to at least one sportsbook (DraftKings), the Chicago Cubs are the odds-on favorite to win the NL Central in 2024.

Draftkings: NL Central Odds

If you want to actually take this bet with Draftkings (or bet against the Cubs, I guess), you can sign up through our links and get $200 in bonus bets just by making a $5 bet.

1. Chicago Cubs: +180
2. St. Louis Cardinals: +200
3. Cincinnati Reds: +390
4. Milwaukee Brewers: +500
5. Pittsburgh Pirates: +2000

But I’m not so sure I’m in love with these odds for the Cubs; at least, not yet. Again, for as much as I like what Jed Hoyer has accomplished already this offseason, they still have a ways to go. And nothing is guaranteed, especially when that fate is largely in the hands of Scott Boras.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals finally got some pitching from outside the org, most notably Sonny Gray. And still have Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras, and some legitimate young players breaking through.

Meanwhile, each of the Reds, Pirates, and Brewers have a cache of young potential stars, each of whom could really change the look of an organization with a breakout (in other words, they have true, elite-ceiling prospects, which are rare). In fact, the NL Central is kinda loaded with big-time, high-upside prospects/young major leaguers right now.

If the Cubs keep going — and I mean, in the Cody Bellinger/Matt Chapman/Jordan Montgomery tier of acquisitions — then sure, I’d buy it. But I just don’t think I’m there yet. I do think I’d risk the Draftkings Cubs’ over/under though, currently set at 84.5 wins. They won 83 last year, and I think they’ll be a better team this time around. Craig Counsell probably swings a few games, too.

But it’s hard to square an over/under set at 84.5, when they’re otherwise holding the fourth highest odds in the National League to win the World Series:

1. Dodgers: +360
2. Braves: +500
3. Phillies: +1500
4. Cubs: +2200
5. Cardinals: +3000

I know there’s a gigantic gap in the odds between the Dodgers/Braves and the Cubs, and I know the MLB Postseason is just a giant coin flip (perhaps more than ever after the last CBA), and I know fans often bet with their hearts, but still! That’s kinda wild. Of course, not every book agrees.

At BetMGM, the Cubs’ NL Central odds (+200) fall in behind the first-place Cardinals (+180), while their World Series odds are much more distant +3000. And at FanDuel, the Cardinals (+150) are even more heavily-favored than the Cubs (+210).

Needless to say, the Cubs have work to do to become the on-paper, unanimous best team in the NL Central before Opening Day. But there’s still some time left, and some betters clearly think they’ll get there.