The AL has run through the New York Yankees throughout history. On the other side, two of the NL's three California teams have dominated in their own right. The Los Angeles Dodgers (24 pennants) and San Francisco Giants (23 pennants) are the only two franchises in the NL with over 20 pennants to their names, though the St. Louis Cardinals (19) and Atlanta Braves (18) are close behind. These same teams have brought the momentum from the 2010s into the 2020s as the Giants won the pennant (and World Series) in 2010, 2012 and 2014, the Cardinals won in 2011 (World Series included) and 2013, the Dodgers in 2017, 2018 and 2020 (with a World Series title), and finally, the Braves won it all in 2021.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (+200)

After three straight NL Pennants that finally resulted in a World Series title in 2020, the Dodgers surprised many by falling to the Braves in the 2021 NLCS. Even with the loss of Max Scherzer in free agency, LA arguably landed the biggest fish on the market in Freddie Freeman and also killed two birds with one stone with that move -- stealing him from the Braves and solidifying their lineup as the most dangerous in MLB. Will the Dodgers return to November baseball this season?

2. New York Mets (+375)

The Mets raced out of the gates and have performed well through the first two months of the season and have seen their odds move from +800 to +420 as a result. After adding the likes of Max Scherzer and Starling Marte in the offseason, the already talented roster could do some serious damage if everything falls in line ... which is a tough ask if you look at the history in Queens. If the Mets do get to the postseason, a 1-2 punch of Scherzer and deGrom will be tough to beat and could help this team win the pennant.

3. Milwaukee Brewers (+500)

Anchored by a strong pitching staff, the Brewers are expected to win the NL Central again -- barring a surge by the St. Louis Cardinals. However, making a deep playoff run is the bigger question coming out of Milwaukee ...

4. San Diego Padres (+797)

Fernando Tatis Jr. Manny Machado. Yu Darvish. Blake Snell. The Padres have a stacked roster, yet they somehow missed the playoffs last season. Expectations will always be high with the talent level of the roster, but a tough NL West, not to mention an injured Tatis, has these odds a bit higher than you may expect. 

5. Atlanta Braves (+824)

The defending World Series champions are fourth in line to repeat as NL champs. The loss of Freddie Freeman is big, but Ronald Acuna Jr. is back from injury and the offseason addition of Matt Olson was huge. The NL East is on the rise, so claiming the division title won't be easy. Can they do it again?

6. San Francisco Giants (+1334)

San Francisco won the most games in baseball during the regular season in 2021, but fell in five games to the Dodgers in the NLDS. The 107 wins were certainly a surprise, which is why their odds are low to represent the NL in the World Series. Kris Bryant also turned out to be a rental after all, so the lost a bit of star power. However, the addition of Carlos Rodon bolstered the rotation.

7. St. Louis Cardinals (+1400)

It feels like a swan song season in St. Louis with the return of Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright on what seem like final one-year contracts. They have Nolan Arenado on the books until 2027 and Paul Goldschmidt through 2024, but this feels like the year to really go for it all.

8. Philadelphia Phillies (+2223)

Bryce Harper returned to MVP form last season, claiming the NL trophy despite not being named an All-Star. The Phillies added Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos in the offseason and J.T. Realmuto is still one of the best catchers in baseball. The NL East will be tough to get through, but the value at +1435 could be a serious steal with so much star power in the lineup.

Here's where the rest of the National League stands in competing for the Pennant according to oddsmakers:

• Miami Marlins (+6965)

• Chicago Cubs (+20000)

• Colorado Rockies (+20000)

• Arizona Diamondbacks (+28590)

• Pittsburgh Pirates (+30000)

• Washington Nationals (75000)

• Cincinnati Reds (+75000)