2026 MLB Season Preview: NL Central Odds & Predictions

The NL Central is the only division that has four original National League or American League teams still in their original cities. It's a place for TRADITION.

But the tradition has sort of been flipped on its head. The once-mighty Pirates are having a very bad century. The usually relevant Cardinals are well...not relevant. Even Cincinnati is not very much of a Big Red Machine as it is a Medium Red Thing.

(Photo by Ali Overstreet/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Brewers and Cubs stand out because of their pitching and offensive depth, but last year three teams from the NL Central made the postseason. Could one of them knock off the Dodgers this October? Before I get ahead of myself. I'll preview the 2026 season and share the pre-opening day odds for this division.

Team Odds to Win NL Central

These odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook:

• Chicago Cubs +115
• Milwaukee Brewers +230
• Cincinnati Reds +500
• Pittsburgh Pirates +550
• St. Louis Cardinals +3000

Why the favorite can win: Michael Busch, Alex Bregman, Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner are one of the top three 1 through 5s in an MLB lineup. That group nearly guarantees the Cubs will once again challenge the 800-run mark.

The Cubs aren't just good, this lineup is fun: last season it produced 223 HR and 161 stolen bases. That was the most potent diversified attack in baseball.

Longshot with a chance: Cincinnati Reds. There's a world where the NL Central sags a bit and we see 87-89 wins take the division. That might happen if the Cardinals and Pirates are markedly better. If so, the Reds could squeak in and grab the crown. But I wouldn't budget any of my betting money on it. At DraftKings you can get Cincy to Win the NL Central for +550.

2026 NL Central Odds & Team Previews

Seeking out even more MLB and sports betting promotions? We have compiled a list of the best sports betting offers here.

The NL Central previews for the 2026 MLB season:

Chicago Cubs

See above for an examination of the Cubs lineup. Take note that the pitching staff has six new names on opening day compared to 2025. Why all the new arms? Last season the Cubbies bullpen ranked sixth in bullpen ERA, and it was that group that imploded in October.

• Cubs to Win 90+ Games: +100 from FanDuel

Milwaukee Brewers

The NL Central race should be a two-teamer between the "lovable" Cubs and the "boring" Brewers. For three consecutive seasons, and four of the last five, Milwaukee has sat atop the division. There's no reason to think the Brew Crew won't win 90+ games again.

The Brewers have the two most complete players in the National League Central: Brice Turang and William Contreras. They spearhead the lineup, and are also Gold Glove caliber defensively. I see both of them having MVP-quality seasons.

On the pitching side, Jacob Misiorowski will have his first full season as ace. Last year he struck out 12 batters per nine innings. His stuff is as filthy as a port-a-potty at a Hell's Angels convention.

Milwaukee will have to really fall apart to avoid an eighth trip to the playoffs in nine years. The good old days for the Brewers? That's now.

• Brewers 90+ Wins: +184

Cincinnati Reds

Did you know the 2025 Reds had a lower team ERA than the Dodgers? Yet they won 10 fewer games than the world champions. Why is that? Mostly because the Dodgers hit 77 more HR than Cincinnati. The good news is: Cincy doesn't need to make up the 77-HR differential. Instead, the lineup can improve with free agent signee Eugenio Suárez and by welcoming back Ke'Bryan Hayes for a full season this time.

Cincinnati has one of baseball's most exciting two-way players: shortstop Elly De La Cruz, who has a chance to be a 30 HR/50 SB performer.

• Reds to Win 90+ games: +390

Thrillzz

4.8/5

March Madness Picks at Thrillzz 🏀

• Excellent choice of sports.
• Pre-match and live picks.
• Strong community vibe.

400% Extra: Deposit $10 Get $50

Claim Now

Pittsburgh Pirates

For many experts the Pirates are a snoozy, sleepy pick to make a playoff run. How can that possibly be? Isn't this the franchise that never writes a check with more than four zeroes? The franchise that sells off any talented ballplayer before he can demand decent money or win games? Isn't this the team whose glory days are about 40 years in the past?

Here's why the Bucs could inch into playoff contention as soon as now:

1. The Pirates have baseball's best pitcher, Paul Skenes
2. Pittsburgh added three bats to an anemic lineup: Brandon Lowe, Marcell Ozuna, and Ryan O'Hearn.
3. Hey the bullpen is much, much better. Additions are Gregory Soto, Mason Montgomery, and Jose Urquidy, who still has some pitches in his arm.
4. All the Pirates need to do is add about 10 wins to get into the vicinity of the third wild card spot.

In today's game you don't have to be a great team to make the playoffs. Just be pretty good for a month, good for maybe six weeks, and mediocre for a few months. Look at the Tigers for an example.

• Pirates to Win 80+ Games: +100

St. Louis Cardinals

Is this the year the Cardinals are worth watching again? The self-proclaimed "best fans in baseball" have had to struggle through four years without playoffs. That hasn't happened since the mid-1990s for Redbird Nation.

For St. Louis to fly its way back to the top of the NL Central, it will need to pitch better and field the baseball much better. Last season, only three teams were worse at turning a batted ball into an out. Add the third-worst starter ERA, and you can see why the Cardinals lost 84 games.

A key player to watch is rookie JJ Wetherholt, a top-rated second base prospect. He's penciled in to bat leadoff, and if he can handle the many off-speed pitches he will get served, Wetherholt can be a spark.

• Cardinals to Win 80+ Games: +440