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The Washington Nationals will know their National League Division Series opponent following Friday's NL Wild Card game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves, but oddsmakers already have high expectations for the NL East division champions.
According to odds provided by OddsShark, Washington is a 9-4 favorite, the same as the NL Central champion Cincinnati Reds, to capture the NL pennant. The Reds are also favored in their Division Series against the San Francisco Giants, whose odds to win the National League currently stand at 3-1.
As for the World Series, the Nationals are 5-1 favorites to win the championship. Around the rest of the NL, Cincinnati stands with 11-2 odds with the Giants at 7-1, the defending champion Cardinals at 15-1 and the Braves at 12-1.
In Friday's Wild Card contest, Atlanta, who will be playing at home, holds the slight advantage from oddsmakers as 1½-run favorites. The over/under for runs scored is currently at 6½.