The NL Central has potential to be the most competitive division in baseball this season, with all five teams hoping to contend for a playoff spot.
In 2023, only 21 games separated first to fifth place, the fewest of any division in the MLB. The Brewers finished top at 92-70, with the St. Louis Cardinals last at 71-91.
There has not been a repeat winner in the NL Central since 2017.
Let's take a look at the leading teams to win the NL Central ahead of the start of the 2024 MLB season.
STL Cardinals | +135 |
CHI Cubs | +210 |
CIN Reds | +350 |
MIL Brewers | +650 |
PIT Pirates | +1800 |
After finishing dead last in the division a year ago, the Cardinals are the favorites to re-capture the NL Central crown in 2024.
Many consider last season an aberration as St. Louis had not finished 20 games under .500 since 1995, and had not finished last in the division since checks notes 1918.
St. Louis’ top-end talent is undeniable. Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado are two of the best players of the last decade, but are getting older. It will take some serious contributions from younger and lesser-known players to drive St. Louis to the top once again.
The Cubs seem like a team rejuvenated entering 2024.
A playoff push toward the end of last season has people believing the dreaded few years since their historic 2016 World Series title – Chicago missed the postseason four of the past five years – are over.
New manager Craig Counsell was one of the most sought after faces this offseason and should give the Cubs an edge all season. Where the team is lacking is serious star power, as Cody Bellinger and Dansby Swanson are the only true headline names in the lineup entering this season.
One of the MLB’s bottom-feeders over the last decade, the Reds are trending upwards entering 2024.
Cincy went 82-80 last season, just their second 80+ win season since 2013. It is clear that this young roster is no longer in rebuild and ready for the next step.
Second-year shortstop Elly De La Cruz is the standout in this Reds lineup. The 6-foot-5 switch hitter is a unicorn on the baseball field, and has the talent and star power to lift the team back into relevance.
Last year’s division champions, the Brewers enter 2024 without two important pieces that helped them reach five postseasons in the last six years.
Manager Craig Counsell is now with the Cubs, and ace Corbin Burnes is on the Orioles. Milwaukee did acquire former Phillies slugger Rhys Hoskins this offseason, however.
Freddy Peralta is the team’s top starting pitcher and will need to fill Burnes’ shoes. Can Christian Yelich re-find some of the form he had from his 2018 NL MVP campaign?
Similar to the Reds, the Pirates seem to be emerging out of decade-long obscurity entering this season.
Pittsburgh lost 90+ games in three straight seasons (not counting the shortened 2020 season) before going 76-86 in 2023.
Even more similar to Cincinnati, the Bucs have a freak of their own that goes by the same name, is the same height and plays the same position.
6-foot-7 shortstop Oneil Cruz missed almost all of 2023, and is certainly the player to watch on this team for all of 2024.
Year | Winner |
2023 | Milwaukee Brewers |
2022 | St. Louis Cardinals |
2021 | Milwaukee Brewers |
2020 | Chicago Cubs |
2019 | St. Louis Cardinals |
2018 | Milwaukee Brewers |
2017 | Chicago Cubs |
2016 | Chicago Cubs |
2015 | St. Louis Cardinals |
2014 | St. Louis Cardinals |
Odds mentioned in this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.