MLB futures odds: Dodgers, Braves, Guardians among favorites expected to repeat as division winners

Nearly one-third of the 2026 MLB season is complete as most teams have reached or passed the 50-game mark, and three of last year's six division winners entered Thursday in possession of first place.

One of those teams are the two-time reigning World Series champions Los Angeles Dodgers, who own a 1.5-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the National League West. Los Angeles, which just took two of three at San Diego this week, has won the division in each of the last four years and 12 of the past 13.

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Another club looking to continue its dominance in its division is the Cleveland Guardians, who are 3.5 games ahead of the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central. Cleveland, which is in the midst of a six-game winning streak and has posted 12 victories in its last 15 contests, has earned three division crowns in the last four seasons and six in the past 10.

The Milwaukee Brewers have captured a franchise-high three consecutive NL Central crowns and five in the last eight campaigns. They're hoping to extend their streak this year as they are in front of both the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals by 1.5 games.

Two teams have surprising leads in their respective divisions, as the Tampa Bay Rays are four games ahead of the New York Yankees in the AL East and the Athletics are one in front of the Texas Rangers in the AL West. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves are hoping to reclaim their hold on the NL East as they lead the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals by whopping nine games. Atlanta won six straight division titles before Philadelphia claimed the crown in each of the last two seasons.

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SportsLine's Inside the Lines team's projection model feels four of last year's six division winners will repeat in 2026. It fully expects the Dodgers (-1853) to win their fifth straight NL West title and strongly believes the Brewers (-550) and Guardians (-339) will prevail again in the NL and AL Central, respectively.

The model also likes the Seattle Mariners (+120) to go back-to-back in the AL West, which was won by the Houston Astros seven of eight times from 2017-24. However, it has no doubt the Braves (-7419) will regain the top spot in the NL East and likes the Rays (-136) to hold on for their first AL East crown in five years.

The team's model has company regarding its belief about the Braves, Dodgers, Guardians and Mariners. MLB futures odds at the major sports betting sites see those clubs winning their respective divisions, with Atlanta and Los Angeles being massive favorites, Cleveland having odds at about -145 and Seattle with prices between +100 and +125. But the sportsbooks have the Yankees listed from -175 to -210 to win the AL East and the Cubs priced between -105 and +120 to take the NL Central.