Good old baseball, even watching the bad teams can bring me some enjoyment. The NL as expected is turning into an absolute bloodbath in terms of playoff positioning. Lets see what’s in store for these 15 squads?
Atlanta Braves: What is going on with this squad? Everytime that the Braves have had momentum this season some injury or massive issue comes up. The hitting core of Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, and Dansby Swanson are putting up good numbers. But there have been a few key issues holding them back. Travis D’Arnaud getting injured was a problem, the issues are the sketchy bullpen and Mike Soroka being out long term. Also they got stripped clean of the All Star Game because of the new voting laws in the state of Georgia. They still have a chance because the NL East is very competitive. As long as Ronald Acuna is in MVP form they have a chance, CRACK! This torn ACL injury is punishment for the Hawks losing in the Conference Finals isn’t it, DID I EVER TELL YOU THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY!?!? (The Atlanta Stereotype never dies!)
Miami Marlins: Once again I’m going to ask, how does a team have a massive run differential in their favor yet are still 11 games below 500? That’s because the Marlins struggle to close out games. This team may be in last place but they are 1 or 2 series away from turning the corner. Jesus Aguilar has been outstanding, Jazz Chisholm is an outstanding young second basemen, plus Adam Duvall and Starling Marte have also played as advertised. But the rest of the hitting core has been disappointing. Their pitching staff led by Trevor Rogers has been outstanding except the bullpen can be a total mystery box. At least Jeter is making positive strides as an owner because of the young prospects they have developed with all of those controversial trades in 2018. This is another leading experience year from what I’m seeing.
New York Mets: Let me be very clear about one thing, The starting rotation is the only reason why the Mets are leading their division. If you look at their stats this year they are the lowest scoring team in all of baseball yet have an outstanding chance at a division title. The reasons for their success is due to Jacob DeGrom having the best pitching season by a Met since Dwight Gooden in 1985, Marcus Stroman being an ace, and Taijuan Walker finally living up to his potential. Francisco Lindor hasn’t been the best hitter but far from the worst one in the lineup. (He still has time to bust out) Other than a few hitters the rest of the lineup are the newest victims of LOLMETS, the only way they can hold off the rest of their division is if every single thing goes their way. Pete Alonso defending his Home Run Derby championship is a positive start and not to mention they bring back their alternate jerseys from 2000. The Mets are making smart moves, I never thought I would say that!
Philadelphia Phillies: Classic Philadelphia! A team with all of the hype in the world continues to underachieve. In this case the Phillies are dealing with the same issues that have been dooming them for years. The pitching staff as usual are playing victims to the “Launching Pad” of Citizens Bank Park. I said it before and I’m saying it again. WHY IS HECTOR NERIS STILL THEIR CLOSER!? He is being treated by the organization the same way Ben Simmons is treated by their nextdoor neighbors. Also their hitting core other than Bryce Harper and JT Realmuto has been inconsistent. Not even Aaron Nola and Zach Wheeler can save them. They still have time to make a run but how are they going to fix that bullpen? Hopefully they can get a few assets to help them out.
Washington Nationals: The Nationals have a roster that looks very good and a few pitchers dominating as expected. But however that slow start they had in April and May is probably the reason why they aren’t in 1st place. Since that bad start they have returned to old form. Juan Soto and Kyle Schwarber are leading the way on offense, Trey Turner is a 5 tool player with both the glove and the stick, plus Max Scherzer is back to Cy Young vintage. If they are going to overcome a recent skid they need Stephen Strasburg back and they need him back badly. Oh by the way you did make an interesting move. You brought back Gerardo Parra and he has played very well since he’s come back. The Baby Shark memes never die. (Now watch this team overtake the Mets in the 2nd Half)
Chicago Cubs: I don’t know what to think of the Cubs, when they are playing well they are a fun team to watch at the plate and on the mound, when they aren’t it’s frustrating at every turn. Their bullpen has improved from the last few years and Craig Kimbrel has been excellent. The rotation has been solid as well. The main issue is the inconsistency of the hitting core other than Kris Bryant and Patrick Wisdom. Try an 11 game losing streak following a combined No Hitter at Dodger Stadium. I am very concerned about the future of the organization but I will say this, they came back from this kind of deficit in their division at the All Star break before. If the Cubs are going to catch their Wisconsin rivals these next few series will be a key to their success. I hope the improbable happens.
Cincinnati Reds: The Reds like the Cubs have a few things working for them but have some flaws that need to be fixed. They do have a dynamic hitting duo in Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker, Sonny Gray has been pretty good, and a few of their relievers have had success early on. But the hitters other than their 2 stars need to step up in particular Eugenio Suarez. They have been carried so far on the backs of high-end talent but how will it stack up against the Big Boys of the NL. They are 4 games back in the division but how will they fix their glitches at the deadline. Even as a fan of a rival I want you to outbid the Angels for Trevor Story, if you do that then you have a chance at the playoffs. Good luck!
Milwaukee Brewers: Wisconsin is once again blessed with another great sports team with championship ambitions. Even as a Cubs fan I have been impressed with their pitching staff. It is in my opinion the best staff in franchise history. (Better than Vukovich Sutton, Caldwell, Ladd, and Fingers. WOW!) Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta are all in the running for the Cy Young Award. And of course there is Josh Hader and Devin Williams anchoring the bullpen. The only thing that I have against them is their hitters. Other than Omar Narvaez and Christian Yelich everyone else is hitting near 220, if you are going to hold off the Cubs, Cardinals, and Reds you are going to need a blockbuster trade to get you over the top. You know what I find fascinating, the Brewers haven’t sold out a home game since they went to 100% capacity, that’s because the city has a certain other major event going on. (Please break the Curse of Milt Mason Giannis!)
Pittsburgh Pirates: Other than the talents of Adam Frazier and Bryan Reynolds the Pirates have once again become a comedy act. They at least got rid of the clowns at the top but it will still be a long time before they are good again. Please do your thing glorious tanks!
St Louis Cardinals: Well I will say I was one of the few people that saw this trend of mediocrity happening in St Louis. After a white hot start they lost 18 of 24 in June and haven’t been the same since. Even if Paul Goldschmidt, Dylan Carlson, and Tyler O’Neill have been balling there have been plenty of issues. Injuries to Jack Flaherty and Miles Mikolas have been huge because it has put pressure on Carlos Martinez and an aging Adam Wainwright. The worst thing Cardinals fans could have imagined is Nolan Arenado trying to opt out of his contract so he can play on a real team. Even if he has had an All Star caliber year he still wants a championship. I don’t know what will happen at the deadline. They are truly at a crossroads and it’s because their roster is weirdly constructed.
Arizona Diamondbacks: WHAT HAPPENED!!! I thought the Diamondbacks had a strong future a few years ago. All that led to was a shuffle of questionable moves that has finally gotten back at them. They started ok but then reality hit. BOOM! A 5-40 stretch in May and into June including a 23 game losing streak on the road. Look at how this happened. The starting rotation has an ERA over 6, (They are paying Madison Bumgarner 25 Million a year for 4 more years) other than Ketel Marte and Eduardo Escobar the hitters have an average at 210, and the prospect pool they have is garbage. I would say bring out the tanks but 2 of your 1st 3 picks are Pirates property. At least the fans in Arizona have the Suns, “SHOT BLOCKED BY ANTETOKOUNMPO!” This city is totally snakebitten! (I’m not trying to be biased towards the Bucks but I kinda am)
Colorado Rockies: Just like the D-Backs the tanks are out but this time they have to tank for! Even if German Marquez and Trevor Story excelled in the games leading up to the All Star in their own ballpark this year has clearly been a punishment year for the wasted talents of Arenado and LeMahieu in years past. I know the NL West is stacked but they have a long way to go before they can be good again. Even if they are 11 games below 500 because of a solid home record it feels like it’s a tank year. At least they can develop good hitters. (Anyways the reason they beat the Cubs in 2018 was because of electronic sign stealing according to former Brewers Catcher Erik Kratz. TAKE THAT ROCKS!)
Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers as usual have an outstanding shot at the NL West. There has been some controversy on the team despite their success. How can Max Muncy and Mookie Betts carry the hitting core while others struggle to keep? Losing a promising pitcher in Dustin May due to the dreaded Tommy John, yet Albert Pujols has been resurrected. Not to mention Trevor Bauer has not lived up to expectations, not his abilities as a pitcher. (YoYo Sound) HIS BEHAVIOR OFF THE FIELD IS A ROADBLOCK! How about being under investigation for sexual assault. Let me guess he was trying to relive a Hollywood Blockbuster movie with his actions. (I could be wrong but you never know) Besides that episode everything has been standard for the Dodgers, even if Bauer doesn’t return they can always find another ace at the deadline.
San Diego Padres: Welcome to #SlamDiego were the excitement surrounding this star filled squad that’s only getting better is now shown to their raucous fans. This year has been no fluke and they finally have a chance to overcome the LA menace if this keeps up. The dynamic duo of Fernando Tatis Jr and Manny Machado have once led the way in the field and at the plate. The pitching staff led by Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, and Blake Snell are all living up to massive expectations. The only issue I have with the Padres is their own division, trying to keep up with the Giants and Dodgers is always challenging but this could be the year the San Diego Curse is broken. Please do me a favor and beat them so we can have equality in the Baseball World. (The last thing MLB needs is either LA or San Fran winning it all)
San Francisco Giants: Just like Arizona the Giants are doing the exact opposite of what I expected them to do in the preseason predictions. But in this case it means dominating their competition! Gabe Kapler is clearly making premium Philadelphia salt with how well his team is playing. Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford are back in their primes, the depth on the roster has been produced in bunches, and Kevin Gausman has become a primetime pitcher. (Another ace that has been brilliant away from Camden Yards) This squad is doing what the Padres did last year, BUT IT’S EVEN MORE INSANE! Thats because they have plenty of guys in their early to mid 30s putting up career years. Once again I’m going to ask, do they have enough to beat LA and San Diego? The 2nd Half will tell that story.
This is going to be a very interesting pennant race where anything can happen in each division. Teams that could get left out of the playoffs will be punching at thin air if that happens. Lets see what the prediction room has for us?
NL East: Nationals
NL Central: Brewers
NL West: Padres
Wildcards: Dodgers, Giants
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