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NL EAST
1. ATLANTA BRAVES
It's scary that the team that dominated the division since 2018, still made the playoffs last season despite all of the injuries. The lineup is the best in the division, the rotation is competing for the best, the bullpen is solid. They are my pick to win the division.
2. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
The rotations are close between Philly and Atlanta, as are the bullpens. Atlanta just has a better lineup, and somewhat by far in my opinion. It could really be either team winning the division, but my pick is Atlanta.
3. NEW YORK METS
The starting pitching is just too weak, the bullpen too average. As a result of those shortcomings, signing Juan Soto doesn't change much. It's a team that was lucky to make the playoffs last season on the last day of the season, and a team that is clearly not as good as either Philly or Atlanta.
4. MIAMI MARLINS
Call me optimistic, but the pitching looks pretty good to me. The rotation is better than Washington's and could be better than the Mets' as well. Sandy Alcantara is likely to sadly be traded by the Trade Deadline, but if the lineup isn't too bad, The Fish can at least not be the worst team in the division.
5. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
The pitching is honestly horrendous looking, while the lineup depends a lot on the young guys stepping up. I say it's close between them and The Fish and either team could end up being the worst in the division.
NL CENTRAL
1. CHICAGO CUBS
The rotation is top-heavy and the bullpen is questionable. The lineup has upside but also question marks. Overall though they look like the most complete team in the division and based on the run differential, should've won the division last season. They're now a better team, while the division winning Milwaukee got worse.
2. MILWAUKEE BREWERS
If a couple young players take steps forward, they could very well win the division. That said, they just overall look too shaky compared to the Cubs, so I have to pick them to win the division, but it does look close to me.
3. CINCINNATI REDS
No matter how hard I look at this team, it's just average in every way. The upside is there, but until we see it in action it's not a division winning team.
4. PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Honestly it could easily be Pittsburgh ahead of Cincinnati, but their lineup and bullpen just look a bit worse to me, though their rotation is solid. Paul Skenes is going to be exciting to watch, but they needed to do more with their lineup.
5. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
They're actually not as bad as you'd think, which is probably why they pivoted from selling in the off-season. Their pitching is solid enough, and if 2B Nolan Gorman and RF Jordan Walker step up enough, they could have a shot at the division. Any of these teams could really win the division, so it's a toss-up really.
NEXT: NL WEST
NL WEST
1. LOS ANGELES DODGERS
The best rotation in the Major Leagues, a top five bullpen and a top five lineup. I don't see a reason to really explain just how good this team is. Another division win and the best record in the National League are close to a lock.
2. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
The second best rotation in the division, with a solid lineup. They did win the pennant back in 2023 so a second place finish here and another Wild Card spot look like very real possibilities.
3. SAN DIEGO PADRES
The top Wild Card team from last season, got worse this off-season. They still however have a solid enough lineup and pitching staff to return to the playoffs.
4. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
For yet another off-season, San Francisco just don't have a good lineup and their pitching isn't on the level of the above three teams. A fourth place finish seems like a lock to me here.
5. COLORADO ROCKIES
The worst team in the NL West has no other place but last in the division. Like with the Chicago White Dox, I don't see much of a need to explain this obvious choice.
NL East winners: Atlanta Braves #2 seed
NL Central winners: Chicago Cubs #3 seed
NL West winners: Los Angeles Dodgers #1 seed
NL Wild Cards #4-6: Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres.
NL Wild Card playoffs: Philly over Arizona; San Diego over Chicago.
NL Division Series: LA over San Diego; Philly over Atlanta.
NL Championship Series: LA over Philly.
World Series: LA over New York.