Baseball is back and below are our predictions for the National League. We don’t see the balance of power changing too much but there may be a different winner in the NL West. Something that has only happened once since 2013!
NL East Predictions
The NL pennant winner has come from this division in three of the past four years and there is a good chance that they add to this record. The division looks like being hard fought and once again it could send three teams to the playoffs. The Phillies defied the odds last year to reach the World Series as a wild card and that looks like their most likely route to the postseason again.
They got hot at the right time last year but were well behind in the division. It’s hard to see them closing the gap between the Braves & Mets. Both the latter had 101 wins last year with the Braves taking the division on a tie break. It should be close between them again this year.
Team | Wins | Losses |
New York Mets | 92 | 70 |
Atlanta Braves | 91 | 71 |
Philadelphia Phillies | 86 | 76 |
Miami Marlins | 74 | 88 |
Washington Nationals | 71 | 91 |
NL West predictions
The Dodgers are perennial contenders however they might struggle to repeat last season’s success. Why, because the Pardes have made some nice off-season moves while the Dodgers may have taken a step backwards by allowing some of their veterans to leave.
None of the other three looks like figuring and they might all struggle to get above 0.500.
Team | Wins | Losses |
San Diego Padres | 92 | 70 |
Los Angeles Dodgers | 90 | 72 |
San Francisco Giants | 80 | 82 |
Arizona Diamondbacks | 72 | 90 |
Colorado Rockies | 66 | 96 |
NL Central Predictions
The Cardinals Have brought back Paul Goldschmidt & Nolan Arenado who are in the top 10 best players in the NL. This plus the addition of Willson Contreras more than makes up for the loss of their icon Yadier Molina. They should win the division with some ease.
The Brewers have the pitching rotation but lack the batting firepower of the Cards which means that like last year they will be fighting for a wild card. Unless they make some serious in-season moves we think they will be sitting out October.
The Cubs look the best of the rest but may be a year or two away from competing.
Team | Wins | Losses |
St. Louis Cardinals | 93 | 69 |
Milwaukee Brewers | 86 | 76 |
Chicago Cubs | 79 | 83 |
Cincinnati Reds | 74 | 88 |
Pittsburgh Pirates | 65 | 97 |
Wild Cards
Atlanta Braves
LA Dodgers
Philadelphia Phillies
So There we have it, our predictions for the National League in 2023. How will we fair? Hopefully, as well as we did last year.