Dodgers open as solid favorites to win NLCS

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the top seed in the National League playoffs, and the New York Mets are the sixth and final seed.

Bookmakers believe the regular-season results accurate depict the teams’ relative strength, establishing the Dodgers as a comfortable favorite to win the NL Championship Series.

The best-of-seven series begins Sunday in Los Angeles, with the Dodgers listed as a -180 favorite by DraftKings, a -176 favorite by FanDuel and a -170 favorite by Caesars Sportsbook.

The Dodgers went the distance in their NL Division Series before eliminating the fourth-seeded San Diego Padres with a 2-0 win in Game 5 on Friday.

The Mets closed out the second-seeded Philadelphia Phillies in four games, sealing their spot in the NLCS with a 4-1 victory on Wednesday.

Although Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani went just 4-for-20 (.200) with one homer and four RBIs in the NLDS, he is the favorite to win NLCS Most Valuable Player at +230, according to FanDuel.

Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, who hit the decisive grand slam in Game 4 against the Phillies, is next in NLCS MVP odds at +500, per FanDuel. Rounding out the top five are three Dodgers: Mookie Betts (+700), Teoscar Hernandez (+1,000) and Freddie Freeman (+1,100).

The New York Yankees are set to host Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Monday, against the Saturday winner of Game 5 of the ALDS featuring the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers.

Caesars Sportsbook is offering a bet on whether both New York teams will advance to the World Series. Betting that there will be a Subway Series would pay +250, while a World Series that doesn’t include both the Yankees and the Mets has -320 odds.

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