NL Central Gambling Report: Contenders Closing On the Brewers
Brewers, Cardinals Lead in Post-ASG NL Central Gambling Report Card

Cardinals and Pirates Putting Pressure on the Brewers in the NL Central Race
It wasn’t too long ago that it looked like the Milwaukee Brewers were running away with the National League Central Division title. However, when looking at the NL Central Gambling Report Card, the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates threaten to make a race of it.
Milwaukee headed into the MLB All-Star break with a 4.5-game lead on the Cardinals. It is the smallest cushion of the three National League Division leaders. St. Louis would also be in the playoffs if the postseason started today.
The Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Milwaukee Brewers have winning records against the run line. For free MLB picks, remember that Milwaukee has the highest percentage of its games landing over the total in the majors this season.
- When the season started, the Chicago Cubs (+3500) and Cincinnati Reds (+4000) had the best MLB odds of winning the World Series among National League Central Division teams. Milwaukee (+2200) and St. Louis (+5000) are now setting the pace.
The Cubs were fighting it out with the Cardinals for the shortest National League Central Division odds coming into the season. It is a different story sitting four games under .500 after playing 98 games.
- Milwaukee has the shortest odds of -280 of winning the NL Central followed by St. Louis at +400.
Here’s a look at how the five teams from the National League Central Division stand at the All-Star break, which is considered to be the halfway point of the season even if most of the teams have played at least 60% of their games.
Milwaukee Brewers (Leading NL Central by 4.5 Games)
The Brewers started the season at +10000 to win the World Series as the Brewers traded away pitching ace Corbin Burnes, who was the starting pitcher for the American League in the MLB All-Star Game, and saw manager Craig Counsell take the same job with the Chicago Cubs.
Christian Yelich is having his best season in five years while catcher William Contreras, third baseman Joey Ortiz, and second baseman Brice Turang are enjoying strong seasons as the Brewers would be the team receiving the best grade in the NL Central Gambling Report Card. The Brewers are on pace for 92 wins so a B+ or A would be an appropriate grade.
Growing up in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, where he and older brothers Willmer & Willson played with homemade baseballs made from wadded paper and tape, William Contreras was a middle infielder.
Here’s how the All-Star catcher found a home behind the plate. https://t.co/aDyp74WtHY
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) July 15, 2024
Ortiz and Tobias Myers (6-3, 3.13 ERA) were part of the return for Burnes, and that has worked out pretty well.
Milwaukee’s 26-25 road record is a concern. The signing and then the release of veteran pitcher Dallas Keuchel indicates that the Brewers believe the starting pitching staff needs some help.
- Although the MLB standings have the Brewers with the third-best record in the National League, Milwaukee feels a little undervalued at +900 in the odds of representing the National League in the World Series.
St. Louis Cardinals (Holding Down The Second Wild Card Spot)
The Cardinals were 15-24 and nine games behind the Brewers on May 11. The Cardinals promptly won their next six series and entered the break at 50-46 and in playoff position.
Outfielder Alec Burleson has been the most consistent hitter while offseason acquisition Sonny Gray leads St. Louis with nine wins.
Another splash down! 🌊#ForTheLou pic.twitter.com/OKKXAmYLcE
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 14, 2024
Ryan Helsley already has 32 saves so getting to the ninth inning with the lead has been a winning formula for the Cardinals.
There are still some doubters when it comes to the MLB scores and odds as St. Louis is priced at +125 to make the playoffs after opening the season at -105.
The regular season win projection has only moved slightly with -115 odds to go over or under 83.5 victories after having the same odds to go over or under 84.5 wins at the start of the season.
Pittsburgh Pirates (1.5 Games Out of Final NL Playoff Spot)
This is probably not a team one of the betting favorites wants to see in a playoff series as the Pirates could throw young hurlers Paul Skenes and Jared Jones multiple times.
The Pirates won four games in a row heading into the MLB All-Star Break to reach .500. They are trending in the right direction in the NL Central Gambling Report Card.
Skenes didn’t even start the season in the majors and he is now the No. 3 favorite at +450 to win the National League Cy Young Award. Skenes is the clear favorite at -1200 in the NL Rookie of the Year odds.
Paul Skenes finishes his #AllStarGame inning and Livvy Dunne is loving it! pic.twitter.com/JDF1neLtjD
— MLB (@MLB) July 17, 2024
Outfielder Bryan Reynolds has led the offense but some other veterans need to deliver more frequently. Will Henry Davis start hitting like a former No. 1 draft pick at some point this season?
Cincinnati Reds (3 Games Out of the Playoffs)
The Reds suddenly have another promising young contributor. Outfielder Rece Hinds has struck nine extra-base hits in his first seven MLB games.
Elly De La Cruz is one of the rising stars in the sport. He is on pace for 29 home runs and 77 stolen bases. Those who took De La Cruz at +400 to have at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases when the season began will be pulling for the young shortstop.
Elly De La Cruz on learning english:
“I would really like everyone here in the USA to understand what I say, and to send the message to the kids in the Dominican that they can do it to.” ❤️ pic.twitter.com/105mS3LCTv
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 15, 2024
Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, and Nick Lodolo give Cincinnati three young starting pitchers to build the rotation around. Cincinnati has too much talent to have a losing record at home.
- The Reds have +600 odds to make the playoffs and are on pace for 78 wins so those who took the Reds at -110 to go under 82.5 wins are looking pretty good right now.
Chicago Cubs (3.5 Game Out of the Playoffs)
A 7-3 record over the last 10 games can’t erase the disappointing first half for the Cubs.
They are just 22-30 on the road, 8.5 games out of first place in the NL Central and 3.5 games out of the playoffs.
After a blistering start, pitcher Shota Imanaga had a five-game stretch when he had an ERA of 7.18. He seems to have fixed whatever was going wrong.
WATCH: Catching up with #Cubs All-Star rookie Shota Imanaga ahead of tomorrow’s #MLB All-Star game: pic.twitter.com/u0PLAbZxLA
— Tina Nguyen (@ttinanguyen) July 16, 2024
A .235 team batting average is a problem although 100 home runs have helped the Cubs hang around.
- The Cubs are priced at +450 to make the playoffs. Will the Cubs be sellers at the trade deadline if things go south after the MLB All-Star break ends? The Cubs would receive the worst grade among NL Central teams.
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