Baseball is back! After months of negotiating, the MLBPA and MLB were finally able to agree on a deal to get back onto the field. Opening Day is next week, and your team might not look the same as last year. A few teams added some key pieces to try and put them over the hump. In this article, we preview the National League, see the odds for each team to win their division, and decide where we expect their win total to land. Go here for the latest World Series odds.
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2022 National League Preview: Odds & Win Totals
National League Preview: NL East Division
New York Mets
2021 Record: 77-85
2022 Win Total: O/U 91.5
2022 NL East Odds: +140
The New York Mets owner Steve Cohen has made it clear to everyone that he is not afraid to spend money. This offseason the club signed future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, Starling Marte, Eduardo Escobar and Mark Canha. With these kinds of additions, you can tell the Mets are going all in this season.
The big question for everyone this year is, how can DeGrom’s arm hold up? Coming off a season where he couldn’t finish due to an injury, begs the question, can DeGrom go a full season?
Their season win total is sitting at 91.5, so to win 92 games for this season is asking a lot. The last time the Mets won over 91 games was in 2006, 16 years ago. The additions this team has made are exactly what they needed. But this division is very competitive, you have the reigning World Series Champion Braves and an up-and-coming Phillies team who will be better this year. I think the Mets will have a much better season but fall just below this number. Take the under.
My Pick: Under 91.5
Atlanta Braves
2021 Record: 88-73
2022 Win Total: O/U 91.5
2022 NL East Odds: +150
The Atlanta Braves are coming off a historic run, winning the World Series last year without their best player. Ronald Acuna Jr. is targeting a return this year sometime in May so only missing the first month of the season isn’t too bad. The question will be, how will he play coming off that ACL injury?
The Braves had a productive offseason even though they lost Freddie Freeman. They replaced him with Matt Olson and were able to add some pitchers for their already stacked bullpen.
After winning the World Series last season, I think the Braves will continue their success this upcoming season. The Braves and the Mets have the same win total, but I like Braves’ chances to go over this number. Their bullpen is more complete, and I just think team chemistry will go a long way. I’m willing to bet the Braves have another strong season.
My Pick: Over 91.5
Philadelphia Phillies
2021 Record: 82-80
2022 Win Total: O/U 86.5
2022 NL East Odds: +400
The Phillies have one of the best lineups from top to bottom in the NL East. After finishing second in the division last season, the Phillies are looking to be real contenders in 2022. The one thing that worries me about this team is their bullpen. They blew so many games last season and didn’t really add any key relievers.
I think the Phillies will be able to compete in a lot of games because of their lineup but it will come down to their bullpen. Can they keep the lead and close out games? If so, I think they can go over their win total but since they didn’t add any relievers, I’ll bet they struggle again late in games. Going under on their win total.
My Pick: Under 86.5
Miami Marlins
2021 Record: 67-95
2022 Win Total: O/U 76.5
2022 NL East Odds: +2000
The Miami Marlins are a very young team. They have an exciting rotation with some young talent but if their offense doesn’t improve, it will be wasted. It will take a few years for this Marlins team to be competitive, but I do think their pitching can win them some games.
They managed to win 67 games last season in a very strange year. I think with what they have at the top of their rotation and young talent, they will be able to go over their win total this season.
My Pick: Over 76.5
Washington Nationals
2021 Record: 65-97
2022 Win Total: O/U 69.5
2022 NL East Odds: +5000
After winning the World Series in 2019, the Washington Nationals have had back-to-back losing seasons. The team has not been able to stay healthy and is having serious trouble scoring runs. Besides Juan Soto, who is an absolute stud, this Nationals team might be the worst team in the National League.
This is a bad rotation they’re putting out there with guys we haven’t even heard of. Stephen Strasburg is hurt again and there is no timetable for his return. This team just doesn’t have the means to compete this season. To think they’ll win five more games than last season is asking a whole lot. Don’t bank on this team surprising anyone this year – diving under on their win total.
My Pick: Under 69.5
National League Preview: NL Central Division
Milwaukee Brewers
2021 Record: 95-67
2022 Win Total: O/U 89.5
2022 NL Central Odds: -170
After winning the NL Central last season, the Brewers are looking to repeat and win their division again. They showed everyone last season why they were the best team in the NL Central. They have a great rotation with returning NL Cy Young award winner Corbin Burnes.
My only question with this team is what are we going to see out of Christian Yelich? He needs to have a bounce-back year if the Brewers want to make a serious run at the World Series. A lot of their key players returned plus signing Jackie Bradley Jr was a good move for their OF.
This Brewer team has a legitimate chance at winning the National League pennant if they can stay healthy. They have a stacked offense, with a great rotation and one of the best bullpens in the game. Last season, they went well over this number and in my opinion, they got better this offseason. This is an easy one for me, I’ll go over for the Brewers’ win total.
My Pick: Over 89.5
St. Louis Cardinals
2021 Record: 90-72
2022 Win Total: O/U 84.5
2022 NL Central Odds: +240
It was a very interesting season last year for the Cardinals. They dealt with a lot of injuries but were still able to go on a 17-game win streak and make a late push towards the playoffs. In the offseason, the Cardinals promoted their bench coach Oliver Marmol to the manager role after the surprise firing of Mike Shildt.
They updated their rotation with the addition of lefty pitcher Steven Matz. They also signed OF Corey Dickerson who should give them some stability defensively. This is a very solid team and if they are able to stay healthier than last year, I think there is no reason why they won’t go over their win total. The line seems off to me, as the Cardinals are always a competitive team. Never count them out. I’ll go over their win total.
My Pick: Over 84.5
Chicago Cubs
2021 Record: 71-91
2022 Win Total: O/U 74.5
2022 NL Central Odds: +1100
The Chicago Cubs were sellers last season. They let go basically the whole team looking for a fresh start. The Cubs were able to get some production from Patrick Wisdom, Frank Schwindel, and Rafael Ortega. They will be able to get a full season under their belt this year.
The Cubs couldn’t find the same talent they lost but still were able to sign guys like Marcus Stroman, Wade Miley, Jonathan Villar, and Clint Frazier. This year will definitely be different for them, but they can have success if they’re firing on all cylinders. I think they can win four more games than last season. I’ll go over their win total.
My Pick: Over 74.5
Cincinnati Reds
2021 Record: 83-79
2022 Win Total: O/U 72.5
2022 NL Central Odds: +1600
The Reds had an above-average year last season, but this year will be much different. It feels like the Reds let go of every good player on their roster in the offseason. Now, they did bring in two starting pitchers, Mike Minor and Hunter Strickland, but that won’t be enough for what they lost.
A lot of young prospects will be getting their opportunity to show they belong in the majors. Having a veteran like Joey Votto show you the way and guide you through the season will be good for their development. There is no surprise why their win total number has dropped with the number of players they lost. I think we see some regression but my number for the Reds sits around 74, so I have to go over for the Reds.
My Pick: Over 72.5
Pittsburgh Pirates
2021 Record: 61-101
2022 Win Total: O/U 64.5
2022 NL Central Odds: +5000
This is a very young Pirates team with a lot of potential. Ke’Bryan Hayes had a down year last season but if he plays to his capability then I think this is a guy to keep your eye on. Another guy they have is Bryan Reynolds who is looking to have another solid year.
Adding a guy like Daniel Vogelbach and starting pitcher Jose Quintana will give this team a boost but not enough to compete with the other teams in the NL Central. They will be better, but I still think they’re a few years away. I’ll go over for the Pirates’ win total.
My Pick: Over 64.5
National League Preview: NL West Division
Los Angeles Dodgers
2021 Record: 106-56
2022 Win Total: O/U 99.5
2022 NL West Odds: -220
If it wasn’t for the Giants having one of their best seasons, the Dodgers would’ve won another NL West division. I think this is the best lineup from top to bottom in the National League. Returning some of their key players is huge if they want to make another run in the postseason.
Their rotation took a hit when Max Scherzer signed with the Mets this offseason, so guys like Andrew Heaney and Julio Urias are going to have to step it up. The Dodgers go as Walker Buehler goes. If the Dodgers want to go far, he needs to have another outstanding season. Their win total has increased from the opening number, and for good reason. Winning 100 games in a single season is a tough task and I don’t know if they can do it. My projection for their win total this year is at 95 so cautiously I’ll dive under.
My Pick: Under 99.5
San Diego Padres
2021 Record: 79-83
2022 Win Total: O/U 88.5
2022 NL West Odds: +350
The Padres always seem like they’re going to have a breakout season but then reality hits and the Padres wind up finishing third in the division. I don’t know what it is about this team, but they can never seem to be able to put together a full season.
Fernando Tatis Jr. is hurt again, and his timetable is unknown. I like Tatis, I really do, but if you can’t stay on the field, you’re hurting your team. I always say this, your best ability is stability. Now, they do have some stars and guys that will win you games, but can we rely on them for 162 games? I don’t think they can, as I have the Padres having a better year but not like the bookmakers think. I’m going under for the Padres.
My Pick: Under 88.5
San Francisco Giants
2021 Record: 107-55
2022 Win Total: O/U 85.5
2022 NL West Odds: +550
I think I can speak for most people when I say, the Giants were the surprise of the league last year. Winning 107 games and their division was a huge success, but will there be some regression?
This isn’t the same team from last year, they lost Kevin Gausman, didn’t replace Kris Bryant, Buster Posey retired. Now, they did sign Carlos Rondon and still have Logan Webb, so their pitching should hold up for the most part. What worries me is that they don’t have the bats to compete with the Dodgers for a full season. I think last season was an outlier of a season for the Giants. For their win total, I think we see the Giants come back down to earth a little but I still have the Giants winning 86 games so since the number is so close, I would put a half a unit on the over for the Giants’ win total.
My Pick: Over 85.5
Colorado Rockies
2021 Record: 74-87
2022 Win Total: O/U 68.5
2022 NL West Odds: +8500
The Rockies are in a very interesting place. Sorta in a rebuilding mode but not really. I don’t know what to make of this team. They have some good hitters at the top of their lineup like Charlie Blackmon and Kris Bryant. Watch out for CJ Cron, he’s a guy you need to have your eye on this year looking to pick up where he left off last season.
They don’t have the pitching to compete so they’ll have to score as many runs as they can this season. This team is still in transition and a couple more years away from actually being competitive. Their win total seems low to me because they were able to win 74 games last season and I think they will have a pretty similar type of year. I’ll go over for the Rockies’ win total.
My Pick: Over 68.5
Arizona Diamondbacks
2021 Record: 52-110
2022 Win Total: O/U 66.5
2022 NL West Odds: +15000
Oh, the Arizona Diamondbacks, the one team you loved to fade last season. This team lost 110 games last season. The Diamondbacks and the Nationals might be in the running for the worst team in the National League. Arizona is committed to the rebuilding process and that starts with signing Ketel Marte.
Who knows what they will get from their rotation this year either? Madison Bumgarner didn’t have a good year last year and he is just getting older. I don’t think they’ll have the bats to win many games this year, but you got to think they’ll be a little better than last year. I’m taking a leap of faith and banking that the Diamondbacks will go over their win total.
My Pick: Over 66.5