MLB-best Phillies putting Vegas oddsmakers on notice with historic start

The Dodgers and Braves came into the season as the only perceived powerhouse teams in the National League. 

Nearly two months into the season, they have some company. 

After a historic start, the Phillies have established themselves as one of the best teams in baseball. 

With a win over the Rangers on Thursday, the Phillies improved their record to 37-14, joining an elite list of teams. 

The Phillies are just the 24th team since 1901 to win 37 of their first 51 games — 19 of those teams made the World Series and 11 of them won it all. 

Heading into Friday’s play, the Phillies are six games clear of the Braves in the NL East after entering the season as a heavy underdog in the division to an Atlanta team that has won it for six straight years.

They have the best record in baseball by 2.5 games over the Yankees, who are sitting at 35-17 before kicking off their series in San Diego against the Padres.  

But they’ve proven to be in the same conversation with star-laden teams like the Braves and Dodgers, and oddsmakers are beginning to take notice. 

The Phillies (+700) are now creeping up on the Dodgers (+280), Braves (+480) and Yankees (+550) on the World Series odds board at FanDuel Sportsbook. 

In the NL pennant race, they are just a tick behind their rivals at +390 compared to Los Angeles at +135 and Atlanta at +260.

Despite the hot stretch in Philadelphia, oddsmakers are still calling the NL East a toss-up — the Phillies and Braves are in a dead heat at -110 to win the division. 

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After making deep playoff runs in each of the past two seasons, the Phillies had high expectations coming into 2024, but few expected this type of output. 

FanDuel pegged the Phillies’ over/under at 89.5 wins before the season as a significant underdog in the division. 

They’re now -174 to win 100+ games and +300 to finish with the best record in baseball, trailing only the Dodgers +115.