2026 NL betting preview: What's the bet to make on your favorite team?

Our experts come up with their favorite bets to make based on the win totals and playoff odds for each NL team.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The 2026 MLB season begins on Wednesday, March 25, with the Opening Night game between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants. While each team's season might not start at exactly the same time, every team does start with a clean slate. DraftKings has posted win totals and postseason odds for the upcoming season. In the NL, the Los Angeles Dodgers once again begin as favorites to win the most games (102.5) as well as to take their third consecutive World Series crown (+230). At the other end of the spectrum, the Rockies (54.5 wins) are tied with the Washington Nationals for the biggest longshot (500-1) to end up celebrating with champagne this fall.

Why it matters

With the new season just around the corner, this preview provides valuable insights and betting recommendations for fans looking to get in on the action. By analyzing the win totals and playoff odds for each NL team, the article helps bettors identify potential value plays and make informed wagers on their favorite squads.

The details

Our experts have combed through the odds and come up with their favorite bets for the upcoming NL season. For the NL East, they recommend taking the UNDER on the Phillies' 91.5 win total, the OVER on the Mets' 89.5 wins, the OVER on the Marlins' 73.5 wins, and backing the Braves to win their division at +210 odds. In the NL Central, the experts like the OVER on the Brewers' 87.5 wins, the Cubs to win their division at +150 odds, the UNDER on the Reds' 82.5 wins, and the UNDER on the Cardinals' 73.5 wins. Out West, the Dodgers' division odds of -600 are seen as good value, the Padres' UNDER 85.5 wins is a strong play, the Giants' OVER 81.5 wins is recommended, the Diamondbacks' OVER 79.5 wins is highlighted, and the Rockies' OVER 54.5 wins is called the "best bet on the entire board."

  • The 2026 MLB season begins on Wednesday, March 25.
  • Opening Day arrives on Thursday, March 26, with 22 teams in action.
  • Six teams will wait until Friday, March 27 to begin their baseball battles.

The players

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers once again begin as favorites to win the most games (102.5) as well as to take their third consecutive World Series crown (+230).

Colorado Rockies

The Rockies (54.5 wins) are tied with the Washington Nationals for the biggest longshot (500-1) to end up celebrating with champagne this fall.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies had a 96-66 record in 2025 and have a 2026 win total of 91.5.

New York Mets

The Mets had an 83-79 record in 2025 and have a 2026 win total of 89.5.

Miami Marlins

The Marlins had a 79-83 record in 2025 and have a 2026 win total of 73.5.

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What they’re saying

“I'd consider this one more of a lean than a true play, as I'm projecting 88.8 wins for Philadelphia. That's just under three wins under our line here. It's a slight positive EV play, but the margin for error is low, especially if Philly winds up adding anything before the start of the season.”

— Carty (abc7chicago.com)

“I feel more confident taking the Mets to make the playoffs, but at -250, let's take the chance that president of baseball operations David Stearns' roster makeover pays even more dividends.”

— Zola (abc7chicago.com)

“Not much separates the Phillies, Mets and Braves. They all have established stars alongside a bevy of risky talent. One of them is going to win the division and, with it coming down to a three-way coin flip, let's back the best odds.”

— Zola (abc7chicago.com)

“Is losing Peralta really worth over 10 wins? Brandon Woodruff returns to anchor the Brewers rotation. He's not the workhorse of prior seasons, but before going down with a lat injury in September, Woodruff was elite.”

— Zola (abc7chicago.com)

“Wait a minute! We're betting on the Dodgers? Has Carty lost his mind? I've spent the last 30 minutes reading about how he only wants to bet overs on bad teams and unders on good teams. This is the Dodgers -- the best team in baseball and everyone knows it! There can't possibly be value on them! Except, somehow, there is.”

— Carty (abc7chicago.com)

The takeaway

This comprehensive NL betting preview offers a wealth of valuable insights and recommendations for fans looking to get in on the action for the upcoming 2026 MLB season. By analyzing the win totals and playoff odds for each team, the experts have identified a number of potential value plays across the National League, from the dominant Dodgers to the long-shot Rockies. Whether you're a seasoned bettor or a casual fan, this guide provides a helpful roadmap for navigating the NL landscape and finding the best bets to make on your favorite teams.