The NL Central is a bit of a mess entering 2025.
The Milwaukee Brewers have run this div for the last few years, but it’s the Chicago Cubs (-105) who are favorites for 2025. The Cubs are followed by the Brewers (+290), upstart Reds (+490), Cardinals (+850), and the lowly Pirates (+1000).
Will Chicago win the Central in 2025? Can the Brew Crew keep winning? Or is there an upset in the works?
NL Central Odds
| Team | Odds to win NL Central |
|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs | -105 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | +290 |
| Cincinnati Reds | +490 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | +850 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | +1000 |
Odds as of March 10th at FanDuel
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Chicago Cubs (-105)
The Cubs are the favorites to win the NL Central in 2025 after a strong 2024 campaign that saw them fall just short of the playoffs.
Chicago did make some key moves to solidify their roster, including massive trades with Houston for OF Kyle Tucker and CL Ryan Pressly. Add in some depth pitching adds like Matt Boyd and Ryan Brasier and I get the Chicago hype.
But, I’m not sure I’m a full Cubs believer yet. This is still a team waiting for its young farm system to break out. Can PCA be a legit dude this year? Will Matt Shaw be an MLB regular? I think the division odds for Chicago this year are more on the backs of the kids than the new faces like Tucker, Justin Turner, and Pressly.
Milwaukee Brewers (+290)
It seems like every year the Brewers are second or third in the NL Central odds and they always end up right at the top.
The latest version of this Brewers’ team is built on defense and pitching development. Guys like Tobias Myers, Nestor Cortes, and all of Milwaukee’s bullpen arms may not strike fear into you. But, the Brew Crew know how to get the most out of these guys. Add in elite defense across the board in Joey Ortiz, Brice Turang, and Jackson Chourio, and this squad won’t need to score much to win. But, they DID score the sixth-most runs in baseball last year.
I’m not really sure how they keep doing it, but the Brewers should no longer be underestimated like this. At +290, they’re great Central value.
Cincinnati Reds (+490)
The Reds were the most exciting young team in the division last year and flopped in a big way.
But, this is the perfect time to cash in on the post-hype value. The core of a great team is here in Cinci. The lineup is led by Elly De La Cruz, an MVP candidate coming off a 25 HR, 67 SB season. But, there’s some serious depth here, too, as Matt McLain, Gavin Lux, Tyler Stephenson, and TJ Friedl could all be All Stars.
The rotation is the big question mark. Hunter Greene took the step last year and Brady Singer (a new addition) is a stable mid-rotation guy. But, what are we going to get from Nick Lodolo, Nick Martinez, Andrew Abbott, or Rhett Lowder? That depth in the rotation will likely decide this Cinci ceiling.
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St. Louis Cardinals (+850)
What are we doing in St. Louis?
This is a turnover year for the Cards and there isn’t really much reason for optimism. Paul Goldschmidt is gone. Nolan Arenado is close behind. Sure, there are some young high-potential guys like Masyn Winn, Nolan Gorman, and Jordan Walker. But, they aren’t going to carry this team very far. I’d expect a mediocre start to the season followed by a massive deadline selloff in St. Louis.
Take the win total UNDER and don’t bet on this team to make the playoffs or win the NL Central.
Pittsburgh Pirates (+1000)
The Pirates may be last in these odds, but I’m talking myself into a Pittsburgh bet.
The rotation is all the upside here. Paul Skenes might be the best pitcher in baseball and Mitch Keller plus Jared Jones form a great 2/3. My issue, as always with Pittsburgh, falls in the lineup. Tommy Pham was really the only add to this hitting group for 2025 — that’s not sexy. But, if Joey Bart is real, Oneil Cruz takes a step, and maybe a guy like Nick Gonzalez clicks, there is some upside here, too.
I’m not saying the Pirates are GOING to win this division, but at +1000 I think there’s enough of a path to justify the bet.
NL Central Odds Value Picks: Brewers (+290)
The Brewers are always underestimated. They always prove us wrong.
Last year, the Brewers traded away Corbin Burnes and lost Brandon Woodruff to injury, and still easily won this division. Why would we expect anything different in 2025?
A minus-money favorite hasn’t won this division in eight years, so I’m quite happy to take the Brewers at +290.
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Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342.
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Last 10 NL Central Champions
| Year | AL Central Winner | Opening Day Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Brewers | +750 |
| 2023 | Brewers | +145 |
| 2022 | Cardinals | +230 |
| 2021 | Brewers | +300 |
| 2020 | Cubs | +250 |
| 2019 | Cardinals | +200 |
| 2018 | Brewers | +425 |
| 2017 | Cubs | -475 |
| 2016 | Cubs | -185 |
| 2015 | Cardinals | +115 |
Teams with the Most NL Central Titles
| Team | Number of NL Central Titles | Most Recent Title |
|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | 12 | 2022 |
| Cubs | 6 | 2020 |
| Brewers | 5 | 2024 |
| Reds | 3 | 2012 |
| Pirates | 0 | N/A |
