NL West Division Winner Odds and Best Bet

• The NL West has belonged to the Dodgers for seven-straight seasons
• LA has the shortest odds of any MLB team to win its division
• Do the Dodgers still offer value as heavy chalk or should bettors back a longshot?

If it feels like the LA Dodgers always seem to come out on top in the NL West, it’s because that has been true for seven straight seasons. Based on the 2020 MLB divisional odds, it’s going to be eight very soon.

The Dodgers are heavy favorites thank to a high-powered offense by reigning NL MVP offense, highlighting a mix of talent and experience. And just when Clayton Kershaw is seeing a slight decline, Walker Buehler looks ready to take over the throne.

Simply put, the rest of the NL West has their work cut out for them.

2020 NL West Odds

Odds as of July 16th.

The NL West odds have never been close. The Dodgers have been heavy favorites since the 2019 World Series wrapped up.

The results are in! ⚾️

MLB on FOX fans picked the @Dodgers to win the NL West this year! pic.twitter.com/U6yGKJn96O

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 13, 2020

Everything interesting goes on behind them. The Diamondbacks sat alone in second until the suspension of Spring Training. But with the announcement of a shortened season, San Diego has jumped into a tie with Arizona, sitting at +733 on average.

Padres Need Rotation to Step Up in NL West Chase

There are a lot of interesting facets to the Padres. They have an excellent bullpen anchored by All-Star closer Kirby Yates. San Diego also has an intriguing lineup led by Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.

But what does it matter if the starting pitching doesn’t step up?

Rotation Comparison: Career Starts

This doesn’t even take into account super prospects Dustin May (LAD) and MacKenzie Gore (SD), who could both pitch in 2020.

Our friend @mudcat55 stopped by today to hang out with @heyscan and talk @padres pitching on day 7 of #SummerCamp2020#ScanningTheField | #PadresatHome pic.twitter.com/fb2Y1BsgYG

— FOX Sports San Diego (@FOXSportsSD) July 10, 2020

While the numbers are closer if you remove Kershaw from the equation, Julio Urias has pitched in 63 games total at the Major League level, while Stripling has over 100 appearances. The Padres will also be relying on the injury-plagued Richards, who has just 34 starts over the last four seasons.

There’s potential at PetCo Park, but it’s still advantage Dodgers.

Diamondbacks Lineup Lacks Punch

In the race for second in the NL West, you’d figure there would be a lot of similarities between the Padres and D’Backs.

Yes, Arizona made the savvy move of going after Madison Bumgarner. He’s coming off a nice bounce-back season but, like Kershaw, is starting to decline. They’re also banking on Zac Gallen avoiding regression in his sophomore season, and Luke Weaver repeating his breakout 2019.

Kole Calhoun said he's had the antibody test and does not have the antibodies to fight COVID-19, despite having tested positive earlier this summer. He was cleared to return last wek.

— Zach Buchanan (@ZHBuchanan) July 15, 2020

There could be potential with the pitching, but the Padres have the better lineup, despite Arizona bringing in two bats to help Ketel Marte.

Starling Marte and Kole Calhoun in 2019

Even if those two maintain their standards, Arizona needs a repeat of 2019 across the board.

Christian Walker, Nick Ahmed, and Eduardo Escobar all had career years. All are either close to or over 30. David Peralta is a year removed from a career season, and played in just 99 games last year.

So are all of those results to be believed or did the Diamondbacks just catch lightning in a bottle?

Dodgers Eye Eighth NL West Crown

There’s a reason we didn’t spend much time talking about the Dodgers. That’s because Dan Szymborski of FanGraphs has them winning the NL West by six games. That, and their 9.7% World Series win percentage, are the best numbers in the league.

If you just can’t stomach the -500 price tag, then the Padres are your buy. I would even suggest the Rockies before the Diamondbacks.

But the Dodgers own the NL West. Everyone else is paying rent.

The Pick: LA Dodgers (-500)

2020 MLB divisional odds coverage:

• NL East Division Winner Odds and Best Bet
• NL Central Division Winner Odds and Best Bet