The NL, its complicated. The difference in squads are the ones that are running past everyone, and the ones who still need more or just suck. Anyways we’ve reached the point where we need to recap the 1st Half of the season. Carry on.
Atlanta Braves (Well Everything’s Going Well as Usual): When I saw the Braves in person against the Dodgers while I was in Atlanta a few weeks ago, one thing popped up in my mind. They are still one of the most potent teams in all of baseball. Freddie Freeman is no longer on the team and Ozzie Albies is injured, who cares they still have Ronald Acuna, Austin Riley, Dansby Swanson, and Max Fried. Matt Olsen has been an excellent replacement for Freeman especially with the role he has had in their hot streak over the past 2 months. Kyle Wright has become another ace in a staff filled with accomplished pitchers. How did they get even better? By calling up an elite talent from the minors named Michael Harris. This young man like Acuna 4 years earlier has given this loaded squad a massive spark. Since he was called up they’ve had the best record in the NL by a country mile. Even though they aren’t in 1st place they are right on the Mets tails. If this play continues into October this could be the start of another dynasty in the ATL. The rest of the NL East is jealous. (By the way, how did Kenley Jansen find the fountain of youth?)
Miami Marlins (Can They Make a Run?): This is a confusing team to look at. The Marlins have talent on the pitching staff especially with Sandy Alcantara. This man is the most underrated pitcher in baseball. If he played in LA or New York he would be a media darling. Pablo Lopez has also been as good as advertised. This kind of staff should lead to the result of being a serious contender. There’s one reason why they aren’t. The bottom of their order. Jazz Chisholm, Garrett Cooper, and former top prospect Jesus Sanchez are the only things in this lineup that are crushing things at the plate. Both Jorge Soler, and Avi Garcia have underachieved. But the 2nd Half should play to the Marlins strengths. They have plenty of home games coming up against soft teams, so it should give them a spark to add at the deadline. Can this team really keep up with the Jones’ in the NL?
New York Mets (What a Difference Elite Managing Makes?): LOLMETS. For years that narrative was one of the most enjoyable sights to see in baseball. Now they are playing up to their potential with a squad that Queens in some ways hasn’t seen since 1986. The pitching staff even without Scherzer and DeGrom has been solid. Taijuan Walker, Chris Bassitt in the rotation, plus Edwin Diaz and Adam Ottavino in the bullpen are the ones to think of. The hitters like Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, and Starling Marte have each produced All Star Caliber years. I would say Francisco Lindor but has been injured too. At least Scherzer is back, and it looks like DeGrom will return sometime this month. Do you now understand why Buck Showalter is such a difference maker everywhere he goes. He may not have a World Series yet but he brings instant success. The Mets are a prime example. And I expect Steve Cohen to be super active at the deadline. If they get Soto and or Ohtani this league is RIGGED!
Philadelphia Phillies (Well at Least They are Trying): The Phillies like most years have the same weaknesses and strengths. Terrible Fielding, a bullpen full of bakers, Citizens Bank Park being a hitters bandbox, and having an outstanding lineup. Kyle Schwarber has taken advantage of the hitter friendly confines of Philly with a barrage of Homers. Nick Castellanos, and Rhys Hoskins have each played as advertised. Alec Bohm even for his struggles in the field is still a good hitter. Even if JT Realmuto has had a done year, he isn’t far back from being his old self. The pitching staff led by Aaron Nola and Zach Wheeler are the only reasons why the pitching staff is relevant. Although the team has gotten better. And this is after firing Joe Girardi and Bryce Harper getting injured. Harper won’t be back until September so if they are going to end the longest playoff drought in the NL they need to be within striking distance of a Wild Card spot before their MVP comes back. Please don’t end up like the 76ers do every year just saying.
Washington Nationals (“The Plan” Redux): It says something when a team that won the World Series a few years ago is near the worst record in baseball. That is simple, their championship run was their last shot with the core they had, plus the Nats traded many of the key faces of the franchise, and injuries played a huge role too. Now for the 1st time in 15 years. Washington is going tanking. They are going to need another Harper and Strasburg type talent to bail them out in the draft. At least Brady House is on the way. The question now is do you keep Juan Soto? He has another 2 years on that contract, but he rejected a 15 year extension. I wonder what they’ll do with him?
Chicago Cubs (Plans Delayed): I was foolish to think that the Cubs could make it far with their quick reinforcements. It turns out that they rushed their way back and have to suffer a long season. At least Seiya Suzuki when he’s healthy has been good as advertised. Many of the pieces that they thought would be X Factors have just not shown up especially in the pitching department. Wait, isn’t David Ross’ strength developing excellent pitching. I thought it was. Just get the tanks out and call on the youth movement. I hate it as a fan of this team, but hey they were due for this after that slump in May.
Cincinnati Reds (The Bungles of Baseball): Nothing to see folks just relentless tanking in the hopes of getting multiple generational talents to the Queen City. Cincinnati knows this sound very well so they’ll be doing this for about another 5 years.
Milwaukee Brewers (The Status Quo of Cheeseland): The Brewers are still the consistently good team that they’ve been for the last 5 years. The pitching staff with Corbin Burnes, and Brandon Woodruff at the top of the rotation has been their biggest weapon. Now with Devin Williams back in the pen Josh Hader isn’t under as much pressure as he was last postseason. The hitting core is better, thank god. Christian Yelich has been up and down but hey when you have Rowdy Tellez becoming the next unexpected power hitting Brewer 1st Baseman and Willy Adames picking up where he left off last year you don’t need to score 7 runs to win games. They’ve been on a roller coaster ride in terms of streaks recently, but all they need is one hot run after the break and the NL Central should be theirs. The trade deadline is coming and they might need to add some power in the lineup. The question is who it will be.
Pittsburgh Pirates (Welcome to Mediocrity): The tank is gone but the Pirates have been full of mediocrity since the beginning of June. The prospect pool is still strong especially with O’Neill Cruz already making his big league debut, and there are still a bunch of them still in the minors. Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayes each have played well but it’s still going to be another 2-3 years before they can be contenders again. Unlike last year’s tank job, this team at least is respectable. But how can you get crushed by 20 runs by 2 rivals yet sweep the Dodgers in LA. That’s why they call it YinzerPalooza. At least the Steelers will distract them once September rolls around.
St Louis Cardinals (The Last Dance of Baseball): The Cardinals have been hot and cold as of late. They are still a very good team especially with Nolan Arenado and Tommy Edman leading the way on offense. But other than those 2 it’s just been silent. Although it’s mostly due to injuries to Tyler O’Neill and Harrison Bader but Jack Flaherty getting struck down too was also a tough pill to swallow. Considering that this is it for Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina, and Adam Wainwright it’s complicated to say whether they can make a run or not. But we have to remember that these boys did pull off World Series runs while being mediocre right up until August and September. I expect the same to happen here. Considering that only Milwaukee is ahead of them in the NL Central they have a shot if the deck plays in their favor. Who knows, but hey a crew like this can only dream.
Arizona Diamondbacks (The Tanks are Put Away for Now): Even if the D-Backs are at the bottom of the NL West they aren’t tanking they are just mediocre. It’s kind of where they should have been last year, but that 5-40 stretch just had to kick in. This year there is no such skid. Ketel Marte is back at 2nd Base yet for some reason didn’t make it to LA for the Mid Summer Classic. Same with Zac Gallen. Daulton Varsho has come on the scene and become their potential catcher of the future even if Carson Kelly is still around. Even MadBum isn’t totally bad. They won’t make the playoffs, but it’s progress from what happened last June. The only downside, they want to renovate Chase Field or move out of Phoenix completely. Um, ok. Let me be clear. I don’t care if you upgrade your park which is still in good shape, if the product is terrible, NO ONE IS COMING! You hear me?
Colorado Rockies (The Gongshow of the Mountains): I’m starting to believe that the Rockies are being run just like how the Buccaneers were under Hugh Culverhouse in the 1980s. They don’t care about stats, scores, or employment. They only care about how many people show up at Coors Field. This year is a major reason for that. It still bugs me that they didn’t trade Trevor Story and German Marquez last year, and then signed Kris Bryant to a steep contract. Story at least is playing well now in Boston, but what is their excuse? All this crew cares about is the bottom line that is ticket sales. That’s why their record at home is much better on the road EVERY SINGLE YEAR! It’s interesting to say this, considering that the Kroenkes own the franchise. Although it’s Josh not Stan that does so. I have one piece of advice. Give Stan Kroenke the responsibility of day-day operations and player development. They could do wonders with him at the top. But even if that does happen, do you really see them competing with the Dodgers? NOPE!
Los Angeles Dodgers (The Artful Boys of Hollywood): Oh yeah the Dodgers. Like most years they have hit their stride in late June and early July. The batters have been solid from Day 1. Trea Turner, Mookie Betts, Gavin Lux, Will Smith, Freddie Freeman, Chris Taylor and Cody Bellinger. (Add in Justin Turner and Max Muncy that too) This year Clayton Kershaw also got his dream wish of starting the All Star Game for the 1st time in his career in front of a Dodger Stadium crowd. With him Tony Gonsolin, and Tyler Anderson the rotation isn’t skipping a beat. Notice that Walker Buehler isn’t mentioned. CRACK! That’s because of injuries. There is still no news on Trevor Bauer and there won’t be for a while. At least the atmosphere around the clubhouse is calm excluding a minor agent conflict with Freddie Freeman which was rumored while they were in Atlanta last month. I wouldn’t worry about it Freddie. Just focus on baseball and you’re good.
San Diego Padres (Slam Diego is Back in Session): Even if their slugging percentage is one of the worst in baseball. The Padres still have an excellent chance to get back at LA come playoff time. With Manny Machado enjoying an MVP caliber season, and Luke Voit returning to 2020 form, they do have some offensive firepower. Plus Tatis is coming back soon so that’s a bonus. The pitching with Joe Musgrove, Yu Darvish, and Sean Manaea has been their biggest weapon even if Manaea has been shaky and McKenzie Gore has cooled off after a hot start. At least Mike Clevinger has revived after a bad 2021. This squad may not have the talent as the team that collapsed last year, but now with Bob Melvin calling the shots this should be a playoff team. DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT REPEATING LAST YEAR! (If you let Philly in, all of us will never let you hear the end of it)
San Francisco Giants (Last Year may have been a Fluke): The Giants are still trying to figure themselves out. They may not be the juggernaut like last year, but sometimes all you need is one major streak to change things for the better. San Fran is searching for that in a big way. It’ll come but they have to keep trying. With guys like Carlos Rodon and Logan Webb on the mound they have the 1-2 punch in the rotation to help them get there. Brandon Crawford may be declining but Joc Pederson and Wilmer Flores are still mashing balls even in the pitching rich Oracle Park. Just like last year, this is an old bunch with youth sprinkled in. Think Austin Slater and Luis Gonzalez who each have had productive rookie seasons even if injuries have hit them recently. (No, not that Luis Gonzalez) I don’t know if they can make the playoffs, but the Giants are certainly fighters. Last year was exactly why even if controversy struck them down. PAUSE.
The Playoff Hunt in the National League won’t be as stacked as the AL, but the Wild Card in the Senior Circuit. There will certainly be plenty of teams buying for a spot especially in the NL East. Who do we have:
NL East: Braves
NL Central: Brewers
NL West: Dodgers
Wildcard #1: Mets
Wildcard #2: Padres
Wildcard #3: Phillies
Bragging Rights Sports 