In 2022, the Los Angeles Dodgers ran away with the National League West, finishing with a 111-51 record. The San Diego Padres finished in second place, 22 games behind.
Only one other team posted a non-losing record, and that was the San Francisco Giants at 81-81, with the Diamondbacks and Rockies finishing well behind them.
This offseason, San Diego closed the gap by adding free agent Xander Bogaerts to an already lethal Padres lineup. At the same time, the Dodgers lost several key players to free agency or injury.
Let’s look at current betting odds to determine the best bet to win the 2023 NL West division.
NL West Betting Odds 2023
To see the most up-to-date NL West odds from our favorite sportsbooks, adjust the module below and select MLB - National League West - Winner:
2023 NL West MLB betting odds as of Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at 11 a.m. ET on Caesars Sportsbook.
- Los Angeles Dodgers (-140)
- San Diego Padres (+140)
- San Francisco Giants (+1100)
- Arizona Diamondbacks (+6000)
- Colorado Rockies (+15000)
It comes as no surprise that the NL West is a two-team race between the Dodgers and Padres. The Giants and Diamondbacks are set to battle for third place while the Rockies continue to hang out in the basement, just happy to be here.
NL West Best Bet 2023
San Diego Padres Win NL West (+140) | Caesars Sportsbook
Wager: 1 Unit
There are few teams that can rival the Padres’ top four of Fernando Tatís Jr., Manny Machado, Juan Soto, and Bogaerts. However, the Padres are a tricky team to project because of the uncertainty surrounding Tatís Jr.
San Diego’s 24-year-old superstar has been away from baseball for an extended period due to a shoulder injury and PED suspension. There is no guarantee how quickly Tatís might regain form.
That said, San Diego has three of the top five contenders for the National League MVP this season, according to most sportsbooks. If the Padres lineup is healthy, they are a very dangerous club.
Meanwhile, San Diego has a more than capable starting rotation led by veteran Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, and former Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. Throw in all-star closer Josh Hader, and the Padres seem set to unseat the Dodgers as NL West champions this season.
See the latest MLB futures odds and picks
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NL West Contenders 2023
Los Angeles Dodgers (-140) | Caesars Sportsbook
Wager: 1 Unit
The Dodgers may be the favorite to win the National League, but they have a handful of question marks that will likely prevent them from reaching expectations.
In addition to losing Trea Turner in free agency to the Phillies, the Dodgers also lost veteran Justin Turner (Red Sox), former NL MVP Cody Bellinger (Cubs), Tyler Anderson (Angels), and Andrew Heaney (Rangers).
The Dodgers rotation will also be without ace Walker Buehler, who miss the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Los Angeles still boasts a very dangerous lineup headlined by Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Max Muncy, and the newly acquired J.D Martinez. However, they are a step behind the Padres on paper, making them a poor value at -140.
