N.L. Preview: Dodgers, Braves, Phillies and the rest
October is a long way off when a championship is the only acceptable result.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
WEST
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
2023 Record: 100-62.
Rank In Runs: Second.
Runs Allowed: Third.
Manager: Dave Roberts.
Rotation: Tyler Glasnow, Bobby Miller, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, James Paxton, Gavin Stone,
Bullpen: Alex Vesia, Ryan Brasier, Kyle Hurt, Michael Grove, Joe Kelly, Daniel Hudson, Ryan Yarbrough.
Closer: Evan Phillips.
Lineup: C Will Smith, 1B Freddie Freeman, 2B Gavin Lux, SS Mookie Betts, 3B Max Muncy, DH Shohei Ohtani, LF Teoscar Hernandez, CF James Outman, RF Jason Heyward.
Injured List: LHP Clayton Kershaw, RHP Walker Buehler, RHP Brusdar Graterol, RHP Blake Treinen, RHP Dustin May, RHP Tony Gonsolin, RHP Emmet Sheehan.
Fun Fact: The 906 runs were the most for the Dodgers since 1953, or five years before they left Brooklyn.
Fun Fact II: Dodgers starters had an ERA of 4.57, ninth in the league.
Forecast: First in division. They can win 120 games, and just might, but it all rides on October. A tough way to live.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
2023 Record: 84-78, N.L. Champions.
Rank In Runs: Seventh.
Runs Allowed: Sixth.
Manager: Torey Lovullo.
Rotation: Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Jordan Montgomery, Brandon Pfaadt, Tommy Henry, Ryne Nelson.
Bullpen: Miguel Castro, Scott McGough, Joe Mantiply, Ryan Thompson, Kyle Nelson, Luis Frias, Bryce Jarvis.
Closer: Kevin Ginkel
Lineup: C Gabriel Moreno, 2B Ketel Marte, SS Geraldo Perdomo, 3B Eugenio Suarez, LF Lourdes Gurriel, , CF Alek Thomas, RF Corbin Carroll, DH Joc Pederson.
Injured List: Closer Paul Sewald, LHP Eduardo Rodriguez, OF Randal Grichuk., RHP Drey Jameson.
Fun Fact: Walker has homered 69 times the past two years and won two Gold Gloves at first base.
Fun Fact II: Diamondbacks committed 56 errors, fewest in the league.
Forecast: Second in division. Youth plus belief equals another playoff run.
SAN DIEGO PADRES
2023 Record: 82-80.
Rank In Runs: Sixth.
Runs Allowed: Second.
Manager: Mike Schildt.
Rotation: Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Dylan Cease, Michael King, Matt Waldron.
Bullpen: Yuki Matsui, Wandy Peralta, Tom Cosgrove, Enyel De Los Santos, Jeremiah Estrada, Pedro Avila, Adrian Morejon, Stephen Kolek, Randy Weaver.
Closer: Robert Suarez.
Lineup: C Kyle Higashioka/Luis Campusano, 1B Jake Cronenworth, 2B Xander Bogaerts, SS He-Seong Kim, 3B Tyler Wade, LF Jurickson Profar, CF Jackson Merrill, RF Fernando Tatis Jr. DH Manny Machado.
Injured List: INF Tucupita Marcano, RHP Glenn Otto.
Fun Fact: Padres were 9-23 in 1-run games, 2-12 in extra-inning games.
Fun Fact II: As a Padre, local boy Musgrove is 31-19 with a 3.05 ERA and a 1.084 WHIP.
Forecast: Third in West. It’s difficult to see how getting rid of Juan Soto and his .410 OBP helps a sluggish offense.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
2023 Record: 79-83.
Rank In Runs: Fourteenth.
Runs Allowed: Sixth.
Manager: Bob Melvin.
Rotation: Blake Snell, Logan Webb, Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks, Keaton Winn,
Bullpen: Taylor Rogers, Tyler Rogers, Ryan Walker, Luke Jackson, Sean Hjelle.
Closer: Camilo Doval.
Lineup: C Patrick Bailey, 1B LaMonte Wade/Wilmer Flores, 2B Thairo Estrada, SS Marco Luciano/Nick Ahmed, 3B Matt Chapman, DH Jorge Soler, LF Michael Conforto/Austin Slater , CF Jung Hoo Lee, RF Mike Yastrzemski.
Injured List: LHP Robbie Ray, RHP Tristan Beck, RHP Alex Cobb, RHP Sean Hjelle, OF Austin Slater.
Fun Fact: Webb was 11-13 last year but led the N.L. in walk-rate and innings, was second in ERA and fourth in WHIP.
Fun Fact II: No Giant had 70 RBIs or scored 65 runs.
Forecast: Fourth. Giants finally found players who would take their money – Snell, Chapman and Lee. Could be a wild-card with a deeper rotation.
COLORADO ROCKIES
2023 Record: 59-103.
Rank In Runs: Ninth.
Runs Allowed: Fifteenth.
Manager: Bud Black.
Rotation: Kyle Freeland, Cal Quantrill, Austin Gomber, Ryan Feltner, Dakota Hudson, Ty Blach, German Marquez.
Bullpen: Tyler Kinley, Jake Bird, Nick Mears, Matt Carasiti, Jalen Beeks, Anthony Molina, Peter Lambert.
Closer; Justin Lawrence.
Lineup: C Elias Diaz, 1B Kris Bryant, 2B Brendan Rogers, SS Ezequie Tovar, 3B Ryan McMahon, DH Charlie Blackmon, LF Nolan Jones, CF Brenton Doyle, RF Sean Bouchard
Injured List: RHP Antonio Senzatela, RHP German Marquez, RHP Daniel Bard.
Fun Fact: Jones broke in with 20 homers and a .931 OPS in 106 games.
Fun Fact II: Rockies’ starting pitchers had a 5.91 ERA.
Rotation: They’re lucky baseball doesn’t have relegation.
CENTRAL DIVISION
CHICAGO CUBS
2023 Record: 83-79.
Rank In Runs: Third.
Runs Allowed: Eighth.
Manager: Craig Counsell.
Rotation: Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Shota Imanaga, Javier Assad, Jordan Wicks.
Bullpen: Hector Neris, Mark Leiter Jr., Yency Almonte, Jose Cuas, Julian Merryweather, Luke Little, Drew Smyly, Hayden Wesneski.
Closer: Adbert Alzolay.
Lineup: C Yan Gomes, 1B Cody Bellinger, 2B Nico Hoerner SS Dansby Swason, 3B Christopher Morel, DH Michael Busch, LF Ian Happ, CF Michael Tauchman, RF Seiya Suzuki.
Injured List: 2B Nick Madrigal, 3B Patrick Wisdom, RHP Jameson Taillon.
Fun Fact: Merryweather gave up just 14 extra base hits in 303 plate appearances.
Fun Fact II: Cubs were within a game and a half of the division lead on Sept. 6. They lost 15 of their final 22 games and finished nine games back.
Forecast: First. They’ve gotten younger, deeper and more athletic. Will Counsell make the difference?
CINCINNATI REDS
2023 Record: 82-80.
Rank In Runs: Fifth.
Runs Allowed: 12th.
Manager: David Bell.
Rotation: Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Graham Ashcraft, Frankie Montas, Nick Martinez.
Bullpen: Lucas Sims, Buck Farmer, Justin Wilson, Tejay Antone, Emilio Pagan, Fernando Cruz, Brent Suter.
Closer: Alexis Diaz.
Lineup: C Tyler Stephenson/Luke Maile, 1B Christian Encarnacio-Strand, 2B Jonathan India, SS Elly De La Cruz, 3B Jeimer Candelario, DH Jake Fraley, LF Spencer Steer, CF Will Benson, RF Nick Martini.
Injured list: 2B Matt McLain, OF T.J. Friedl, RHP Sam Moll, RHP Brandon Williamson, LHP Nick Lodolo, RHP Ian Gibaut, 2B Noelvi Marte (suspended).
Fun Fact: Abbott gave up no runs in his first three MLB starts and was 4-0 with a 1.21 ERA on June 27. He wound up 8-6, 3.27.
Fun Fact II: McLain, Steer, Encarnacion-Strand, De La Cruz, Benson and the suspended Noelvi Marte are all 26 or younger.
Forecast: Second. Finding a true No. 1 starter among Greene, Abbott and Ashcraft would help.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
2023 Record: 76-86.
Rank In Runs Scored: Thirteenth.
Runs Allowed: Eleventh.
Manager: Derek Shelton.
Rotation: Mitch Keller, Marco Gonzales, Martin Perez, Luis Ortiz, Jared Jones.
Bullpen: Roansy Contreras, Bailey Falter, Aroldis Chapman, Ryan Borucki, Carmen Mlodzinski, Josh Fleming, Hunter Stratton, Brent Honeywell.
Closer: David Bednar.
Lineup: C Henry Davis/Yasmani Grandal, 1B Rowdy Tellez, 2B Jared Triolo, SS Oneil Cruz, 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes, DH Andrew McCutchen, LF Jack Suwinski, CF Michael Taylor, RF Bryan Reynolds.
Injured List: RHP JT Brubaker, RHP Johan Oviedo, RHP Colin Holderman, RHP Carmen Mlodzinski.
Fun Fact: In 2022-23, Bednar was 58 for 65 in saves.
Fun Fact II: Triolo hit .298 in 54 games down the stretch.
Forecast: Third. Sometimes a team improves almost imperceptibly. The Pirates’ next step might be a little louder.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
2023 Record: 71-91.
Rank In Runs Scored: Tenth.
Runs Allowed: Thirteenth.
Manager: Oliver Marmol.
Rotation: Miles Mikolas, Kyle Gibson, Zack Thompson, Lance Lynn, Steven Matz.
Bullpen: Giovanny Gallegos, Andre Pallante, Ryan Fernandez, Riley O’Brien, Nick Robertson, Andrew Kittredge, Matthew Liberatore, JoJo Romero.
Closer: Ryan Helsley.
Lineup: C Willson Contreras, 1B Paul Goldschmidt, 2B Nolan Gorman, SS Masyn Wynn, 3B Nolan Arenado, DH Brendan Donovan, LF Alec Burleson, CF Dylan Carlson, RF Jordan Walker.
Injured list: RHP Sonny Gray, CF Tommy Edman, OF Lars Nootbaar, RHP Kenyan Middleton, LHP Drew Rom.
Fun Fact: In the year after Yadier Molina retired, the Cardinals threw out 19 percent of opposing basestealers, and their ERA went from 3.79 to 4.79.
Fun Fact II: Goldschmidt, 35, had a .810 OPS, lowest for a full season in his career.
Forecast: Fourth. Cardinals desperately need one of tomorrow’s stars to blossom today.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
2023 Record: 92-70.
Rank In Runs Scored: Eighth.
Runs Allowed: First.
Manager: Pat Murphy.
Rotation: Freddy Peralta, Colin Rea, Joe Ross, Jakob Junis, DL Hall.
Bullpen: Bryan Hudson, Hoby Milner, Elvis Peguero, Bryse Wilson, J.B. Bukauskas, Taylor Clarke, Trevor Megill, Thyago Vieria.
Closer: Trevor Megill/Joel PayampsAbner Uribe.
Lineup: C William Contreras, 1B Rhys Hoskins, 2B Brice Turang, SS Willy Adames, 3B Sal Frelick, DH Gary Sanchez/Jake Bauers, LF Christian Yelich, CF Garrett Mitchell, RF Jackson Chourio.
Injured List: RHP Brandon Woodruff, Closer Devin Williams, LHP Wade Miley.
Fun Fact: Milner held lefthand hitters to a .155 batting average.
Fun Fact II: Chourio, 19, signed an 8-year, $82 million deal, the biggest contract ever given to a player who hasn’t yet made his debut.
Forecast: Fifth. They begin the season without their three best pitchers (Woodruff, Williams and Corbin Burnes) but didn’t fix their offense.
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
2023 Record: 90-72.
Rank In Runs Scored: Fourth.
Runs Allowed: Fourth.
Manager: Rob Thomson.
Rotation: Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Christopher Sanchez, Spencer Turnbull.
Bullpen: Jeff Hoffman, Seranthony Dominguez, Matt Strahm, Gregory Soto, Connor Brogdon, Dylan Covey Luis Ortiz, Yunior Marte.
Closer: Jose Alvarado.
Lineup: C J.T. Realmuto, 1B Bryce Harper, 2B Bryson Stott, SS Trea Turner, 3B Alec Bohm, DH Kyle Schwarber, LF Brandon Marsh/Whit Merrifield, CF Johan Rojas, RF Nick Castellanos.
Injured List: RHP Tajuan Walker, RHP Orion Kerkering.
Fun Fact: Walker, the Phillies’ top winner with 15, did not pitch in the ‘23 postseason.
Fun Fact II: Schwarber either walked, struck out or homered in 348 of his 720 plate appearances.
Forecast: First. With Harper healthy and with Turner back in form, they could unseat the Braves, for whatever that’s worth.
ATLANTA BRAVES
2023 Record: 104-58.
Rank In Runs Scored: First.
Runs Allowed: Fifth.
Manager: Brian Snitker.
Rotation: Max Fried, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez, Chris Sale, Charlie Morton.
Bullpen: A.J. Minter, Joe Jimenez, Aaron Bummer, Pierce Johnson, Tyler Matzek, Dylan Lee, Jesse Chavez.
Closer: Raisel Iglesias.
Lineup: C Sean Murphy/Travis d’Arnaud, 1B Matt Olson, 2B Ozzie Albies, SS Oralndo Arcia, 3B Austin Riley, DH Marcell Ozuna, LF Jarred Kelenic, CF Michael Harris, RF Ronald Acuna Jr.
Fun Fact: Bryce Elder went 12-4 and pitched 174 innings last year but might begin the season in Triple-A.
Fun Fact II: Acuna’s 217 hits were the most of any player since Tony Gwynn in 1987.
Forecast: Second. The only goal is a World Series title, which depends on healthy pitching, and scoring runs without homers.
NEW YORK METS
2023 Record: 75-87.
Rank In Runs Scored: Eleventh.
Runs Allowed: Ninth.
Manager: Carlos Mendoza.
Rotation: Jose Quintana, Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, Adrian Houser, Tylor Megill.’
Bullpen: Adam Ottavino, Drew Smith, Brooks Raley, Michael Tonkin, Phil Bickford, Jorge Lopez, Jake Diekman, Yohan Ramirez, Sean Reid-Foley.
Closer: Edwin Diaz.
Lineup: C Francisco Alvarez, 1B Pete Alonso, 2B Jeff McNeil, SS Francisco Lindor, 3B Brett Baty, DH J.D. Martinez, LF Brandon Nimmo, CF Harrison Bader, RF Starling Marte.
Injured List: 2B Ronny Mauricio, RHP Kodai Senga.
Fun Fact: Senga and Blake Snell were the only N.L. pitchers to win at least 12 gamees, have a sub-3.00 ERA and strike out 200.
Fun Fact II: Baty’s rookie year was rough: a .598 OPS in 108 games.
Forecast: Third, With a better bullpen and less pressure, playoffs are possible.
MIAMI MARLINS
2023 Record: 84-78.
Rank In Runs Scored: Fifteenth..
Runs Allowed: Fourth.
Manager: Skip Schumaker.
Rotation: Jesus Luzardo, A.J. Puk, Ryan Weathers, Trevor Rogers, Max Meyer.
Bullpen: Andrew Nardi, Anthony Bender, George Soriano, Sixto Sanchez, Bryan Hoeing, Declan Cronin, Calvin Faucher, Anthony Maldonado, Huascar Brazoban.
Closer: Tanner Scott.
Lineup: C Christian Bethancourt/Nick Fortes, 1B Josh Bell, 2B Luis Arraez, SS Tim Anderson, 3B Jake Burger, DH Avisail Garcia, LF Bryan De La Cruz, CF Jazz Chisholm, RF Jesus Sanchez.
Injured List: RHP Sandy Alcantara, RHP Eury Perez, LHP Braxton Garrett, RHP Edward Cabrera, RHP J.T. Chargois.
Fun Fact: The Marlins had their most wins since 2010 but, although they were second in batting average, they scored the fewest runs in the league.
Fun Fact II: Scott gave up three home runs in 78 innings as Miami’s closer.
Forecast: Fourth. Too much offense went out the door.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
2023 Record: 71-91.
Rank In Runs Scored: Twelfth.
Runs Allowed: Fourteenth.
Manager: Dave Martinez.
Rotation: MacKenzie Gore, Josiah Gray, Patrick Corbin, Trevor Williams, Jake Irvin.
Bullpen: Hunter Harvey, Tanner Rainey, Jordan Weems, Dylan Floro, Jose Ferrer, Robert Garcia, Matt Barnes, Derek Law.
Closer: Kyle Finnegan.
Lineup: C Keibert Ruiz, 1B Joey Gallo, 2B Luis Garcia, SS CJ Abrams, 3B Nick Senzel, DH Joey Meneses, LF Eddie Rosario/Jesse Winker, CF Victor Robles, RF Lane Thomas.
Injured List: OF Stone Garrett, RHP Cade Cavalli.
Fun Fact: The Nationals struck out fewer times than anyone else in the league.
Fun Fact II: Abrams stole 47 bases in 51 tries in his first full year at shortstop but also made 22 errors.
Forecast: Fifth. Still in transition, which is neither quick, easy nor guaranteed.
POSTSEASON
Division winners: Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago.
Wild-cards: Atlanta, Arizona, San Diego.
NL Champion: Los Angeles.
MVP: Bryce Harper.
Cy Young: Zack Wheeler.
Rookie: Yoshinobu Yamamoto.