The NL Central continues to be an eyesore in MLB, but the top teams in the division have made watching the division somewhat interesting. Milwaukee can still pitch, Chicago has a good nucleus, and Cincinnati has one of the brightest futures in the league.
What once seemed unrealistic is now close to becoming reality: Two teams from the division could be in the playoffs, but it is far from guaranteed. That means winning the division is paramount to making the playoffs.
Let’s look at current betting odds to determine the best bet to win the 2023 NL Central division.
NL Central Betting Odds 2023
To see the most up-to-date NL Central odds from our favorite sportsbooks, adjust the module below and select MLB - National League Central - Winner:
2023 NL Central MLB betting odds as of Monday, Aug. 28 at 12 p.m. ET on Caesars Sportsbook.
- Milwaukee Brewers (-400)
- Chicago Cubs (+280)
- Cincinnati Reds (+1900)
- St. Louis Cardinals (+50000)
- Pittsburgh Pirates (+50000)
The Brewers have been in first place for a while now, and it has been up to the Cubs and Reds to put pressure on them for the division crown.
NL Central Best Bet 2023
Milwaukee Brewers (-380)
FanDuel Sportsbook
The Brewers have a chance to put the Cubs on ice as early as Aug. 28-30 with a three-game series in Chicago. A sweep would put the Cubs seven games back with one month to go and a much more palatable schedule in September.
Brandon Woodruff has been aces since returning from injury, and Corbin Burnes is one of the best second starters in baseball. The offense has needed help for years, but a return to form(ish) from Christian Yelich has helped give the Brewers an anchor in the lineup.
However, (-380) is not worth the juice at this point due to the offense and best 1-2 pitching combo in the division.
See the latest MLB futures odds and picks
- World Series Predictions & Odds
- AL MVP Predictions & Odds
- AL Cy Young Predictions & Odds
- NL MVP Predictions & Odds
- NL Cy Young Predictions & Odds
NL Central Contenders 2023
Chicago Cubs (+350)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
A sweep of the Brewers is almost a necessity for the Cubs to stand a chance of winning the Central.
After three against Milwaukee, Chicago plays 11 straight games against teams alive in the NL Wild Card race, including four against the Reds.
A couple of series against the Rockies and Pirates are sprinkled in the remainder of September, along with series against the Braves, Diamondbacks (two series in September), and the season finale in Milwaukee.
A division title is possible, but the Cubbies will need to run pure in the season’s twilight.
Cincinnati Reds (+4200)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.1 Units
The Reds get a shoutout — FanDuel has significantly longer odds than any other sportsbook — and they have arguably the easiest schedule left of the three Central teams in contention.
Cincy has to make up six games through Oct. 1. That’s a lot with two teams ahead in the standings, but not unattainable.
The up-and-comers get six games against St. Louis, three against Detroit, New York (NL), Pittsburgh, and two against Cleveland. Their remaining schedule also includes Minnesota, San Francisco, and Seattle.
If the totality of their pitching can throw more like a top-10 staff than a top-20 one, they have a chance with their bats running as hot and cold.
Cincinnati may be a year away from truly competing, but their trajectory is already sky-high with more accolades in their future if they take the Central.
