Baseball is back and below are our predictions for the National League
NL East Predictions
Reigning World Series Champs Atlanta is looking to be the first team since the 2000 Yankees to win it all back to back. They somewhat surprisingly let Freddie Freeman walk in free agency and his signing with the Dodgers could come back to bite them. However, with the Mets likely to be without DeGrom for the early part of the season they might just sneak what could be a close division.
Speaking of the Mets, their pitching rotation at full strength is probably second only to the Brewers, however, that injury to DeGrom will cost them games early.
The additions of Nick Castellanos & Kyle Schwarber make the Phillies one to Watch. They have also added some pitching depth and should improve on last year’s 82 wins. Whether they have done enough though is debatable.
The Marlins are still a year or two away while the Nationals look to be in rebuild mode.
Team | Wins | Losses |
Atlanta Braves | 90 | 72 |
New York Mets | 89 | 73 |
Philadelphia Phillies | 85 | 77 |
Miami Marlins | 76 | 86 |
Washington Nationals | 68 | 94 |
NL West predictions
The Dodgers are perennial contenders and they look the class of not only the West but also the National League. They finished 2nd in the division last year with 106 wins and lost in the Divisional game to the eventual World Series winner the Atlanta Braves. Adding Freddie Freeman was huge and they remain stacked all around. We can see them with triple-digit wins again this year.
The Pardes look second best with Bob Melvin in charge they should improve on last year’s 79 wins. The injury to Fernando Tatis Jr is a worry, however, he should be fit for the run-in. Their expected pitching rotation… Joe Musgrove, Blake Snell, Yu Darvish, Mike Clevinger, Sean Manaea, and Chris Paddack puts them ahead of the Giants.
Speaking of whom, we feel they massively overachieved last year and they fell at the first hurdle in the postseason. If either the Rockies or D-Backs even gets a sniff of the wild cards it will come as a shock.
Team | Wins | Losses |
Los Angeles Dodgers | 100 | 62 |
San Diego Padres | 88 | 74 |
San Francisco Giants | 85 | 77 |
Colorado Rockies | 75 | 87 |
Arizona Diamondbacks | 66 | 96 |
NL Central predictions
The Milwaukee Brewers have arguably the best pitching rotation in the majors. Corbin Burnes & Brandon Woodruff are both Cy Young candidates and when you throw in Freddy Peralta and a strong bullpen you have a genuine World Series contender. They should win the division with some ease and avoid the dreaded Wild Card Round.
The Cardinals made the Wild Cards last season and gave the Dodgers plenty to think about. Finishing second looks assured and with an extra postseason place in 2022, they should be playing again into October.
The Cubs showed they still mean business by acquiring both Marcus Stroman & Yan Gomes. They should be good enough to hang around .500 and could pounce if injuries strike. It would be a shock if the Reds compete and the Pirates will be lucky to avoid triple-digit losses.
Team | Wins | Losses |
Milwaukee Brewers | 91 | 71 |
St. Louis Cardinals | 85 | 77 |
Chicago Cubs | 80 | 82 |
Cincinnati Reds | 72 | 90 |
Pittsburgh Pirates | 63 | 99 |