NL Central Winner Odds, Predictions & Picks 2025: Regression Looms Large Over the Brewers

• The Milwaukee Brewers won the 2024 NL Central division title

• The Chicago Cubs are projected to win the division this season by just three games

• Paul Skenes is listed as the sizable betting favorite to win the NL Cy Young award

After winning their second straight NL Central division title, regression looms large over the Milwaukee Brewers as they are fresh off of an underwhelming offseason. Their lack of additions on offense opens the door for someone else to compete for the division title, making the NL Central one of the more exciting division title races this season.

MLB NL Central Winner Odds

Odds for NL Central winner courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Bet on MLB at BetMGM and claim the following welcome bonus: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*.

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MLB NL Central Predictions and Favorites to Win

Chicago Cubs

After a horrific cold stretch of play, the Chicago Cubs were unable to claw out of their hole and win the 2024 NL Central division title. A massive let down after entering the year listed as the favorite to win the division. They now find themselves in a similar situation as they head into this season listed as the heavy betting favorite.

The Cubs were certainly active in their efforts of retooling their roster this offseason as they made a sizable amount of acquisitions on both sides of the field. That creates a heightened sense of uncertainty, making them a pass at their current short odds to win the division. Should their new look roster show they can immediately contend, then look to add them to the portfolio as a hedge to a larger piece.

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Milwaukee Brewers

After entering the year listed as high as +1000 to win the NL Central, the Milwaukee Brewers quickly flipped to the favorite as they consistently led the division in Team Total Hits, RBIs, Total Runs Scored, On Base Percentage, Team Total Pitching ERA, and Defensive Efficiency. Unfortunately for Milwaukee, they failed to make a run to the World Series as they lost to the New York Mets in the wildcard round.

Heading into 2025, the Brewers will struggle to recapture the same success they had last season after going through an underwhelming offseason. While the Brewers did retool their pitching staff, they failed to address their offense. A stunning decision, especially after losing Willy Adames to the San Francisco Giants. With regression looming large, pass on the Brewers at their current odds to win the division.

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St. Louis Cardinals

It was an unfortunate 2024 regular season campaign for the St. Louis Cardinals as they consistently struggled to turn their hits into runs scored. Even though their offense ranked top-10 in Team Total Hits, the Cardinals finished the year ranked near the bottom of the board in Total Runs Scored and in RBIs.

Even with positive regression looming large, the Cardinals offense may struggle again after failing to add more production to their lineup throughout the offseason. St. Louis also failed to address their defense after finishing last season ranked below league average in Defensive Efficiency. Unless the Cardinals make some moves before the start of the season, then avoid making a wager on them to win the division.

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Pittsburgh Pirates

Arguably no one in the league is entering the year with more hype than the Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skenes. The Pirates ace was dominant in his starts last season and nearly rivaled Chris Sale for the NL Cy Young award. Now that he gets the benefit of playing the whole season, Skenes is listed as the heavy betting favorite to win the award in 2025.

Even with Skenes on the mound, the Pirates lack of offensive production will hold them back from competing for the NL Central division title. After finishing last season ranked below league average in Team Total Hits, RBIs, Total Runs Scored, and On Base Percentage, the Pirates offense are poised to underwhelm again after failing to add more production to their lineup.

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Who Will Win the NL Central in 2025? 

My Pick - Cincinnati Reds

With regression looming over the Brewers and Cardinals, as well as the Cubs going through an overhaul, that opens the door for the Cincinnati Reds to compete for the division title in 2025. Especially after adding more productive bats to their offense after finishing last year ranked below league average in Team Total Hits, RBIs, Total Runs Scored, and On Base Percentage.

The Reds additions throughout the offseason didn’t stop there as they also added more arms to their pitching staff. Even with their defense playing at a competitive level, their pitching staff still finished last season ranked below league average in Team Total Pitching ERA. Should their pitchers manage to play at a high level on a nightly basis, then expect the Reds to contend for the NL Central division title.

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NL Central Winner History 

After their win in 2024, the Brewers have now won the NL Central title five times since joining the division in 1998. That puts them in third for the most NL Central division titles, sitting four behind the Cardinals who lead the division with nine. Heading into 2025, the Brewers will have their work cut out for them in their efforts of making it three straight as oddsmakers believe the Chicago Cubs are the clear-cut favorite to win their seventh division title.

Past NL Central Winners

How to Read NL Central Winner Odds 

When looking to make any type of wager, it’s key to know how the listed odds work before placing it. With the Reds listed at +500, that means you would profit $500 on a $100 bet if they win the division. Should you wait to see if they get out to a lead and are listed with a minus sign in front of their odds (-125 for example), then you would need to wager $125 to win $100.

How to Choose the Best Sportsbook for Betting on the NL Central

It’s vital to have as many online sportsbooks as you can get in order to line shop. Starting with the Reds, you can find them listed as high as +500 at BetMGM while their lowest listed odds are +450 at FanDuel. That is a difference of $50 in profit for a $100 bettor. 

Each sportsbook also has their own unique new user promotions, giving their users a major head start with bonus bets during the MLB season. Caesars Sportsbook for example is giving new users Ten 100% Profit Boost Tokens after creating an account with the WSN promo code WSNDYW and wagering just $1.

More info on the best MLB betting sites can be found in our comprehensive guide.

*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.