National League Betting Odds: Cubs, Dodgers, Phillies, Brewers Chances Of Reaching 2018 World Series

While the American League has looked more and more like a three or four-team race, the National League has yet to produce a clear-cut favorite in a crowded field. According to betting site Vegas Insider, there are 11 teams in contention to win the NL pennant.

The Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros and New York Yankees all have a winning percentage above .600, offering a sharp contrast to the more competitive NL. The Chicago Cubs (67-49) have the best record in the league, but are followed closely behind by the Philadelphia Phillies (65-51) and Milwaukee Brewers (67-53). Meanwhile, the defending NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers (64-54) are also playing well above .500, along with West division teams the Arizona Diamondbacks (64-54) and Colorado Rockies (62-55).

Such a wide-open scenario may make things difficult for oddsmakers to gauge which team has frontrunner status in October. With five teams reaching the postseason, there are six teams in a division title hunt that won't even earn a wild-card berth.

The Cubs, who added starting pitcher Cole Hamels in July, have the strongest odds to take the NL crown at 3/1 odds. Chicago is sixth in the Majors in runs (572) and leading the NL in the category.

But Joe Maddon's pitching staff has performed a bit below expectations with a team earned-run average of 3.83. The Cubs may get some help in the coming days as Yu Darvish, who has battled tricep tendinitis, is set to throw a simulated game Tuesday.

The Dodgers, who are locked in a three-team race in the West, have the second-best odds at 16/5. Los Angeles owns the best ERA (3.53) in the NL and is second in runs (557). The Dodgers added power hitters Manny Machado and Brian Dozier before the trade deadline but are expected to be without closer Kenley Jansen for a month due to an irregular heartbeat.

The Phillies have the third-best odds at 5/1. Philadelphia has made a big postseason push behind Cy Young candidates Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta. The Phillies, however, are just 20th in runs (503) and 27th in errors (83).

There is little security for the top three teams. The Cubs, Phillies and Dodgers are in very tight division battles and may even fall out of wild-card contention should they struggle with roughly 55 games left on the schedule. The Diamondbacks, who currently share the same record as the Dodgers, have 9/1 odds. The Brewers, Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals all have 10/1 odds.

Despite still being in contention for the West title, the Rockies and San Francisco Giants are longshots to reach the World Series at 20/1 odds and 40/1 odds, respectively.

While the Cubs and Brewers duel for the Central crown, oddsmakers list the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates as 40/1 longshots.

National League Betting Odds (Vegas Insider)

Chicago Cubs, 3/1

Los Angeles Dodgers, 16/5

Philadelphia Phillies, 5/1

Arizona Diamondbacks, 9/1

Atlanta Braves, 10/1

Milwaukee Brewers, 10/1

Washington Nationals, 10/1

Colorado Rockies, 20/1

Pittsburgh Pirates, 40/1

San Francisco Giants, 40/1

St. Louis Cardinals, 40/1