The Cardinals have won the NL Central each of the past three seasons, but the Cubs are heavy favorites to dethrone the reigning champs entering 2016.
According to new odds released by Bovada, Chicago is a -150 favorite to claim its first division crown since 2008. The Cubs have the shortest divisional odds of all 30 teams and are one of only two teams listed at minus-money.
The Mets are -110 favorites to repeat as champs in the NL East.
In the central, the Cardinals rank second at +250, followed by the Pirates at +300 then the Reds and Brewers each at +2500.
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The Cubs finished 2015 with 97 wins, a game behind Pittsburgh and three games back of St. Louis.
But the additions of Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist and John Lackey through free agency catapulted Chicago to the top of the betting board.
Bovada currently lists the Cubs as +225 favorites to win the NL and +400 favorites to claim their first World Series since 1908.