The Great Zamboni’s 2018 National League Season Preview: Which teams will challenge the Cubs, Nationals, and Dodgers?
Can any team challenge the trio for the NL crown?
NL East: Despite hiring a first-time manager in Dave Martinez lead the clubhouse, the Nationals remain heavy favorites to win another NL East crown in what is likely the last opportunity for the team to win as presently constructed. With Bryce Harper set for a massive payday during the offseason, the Nationals need to try and win that long sought-after World Series trophy. Harper may re-sign with the Nationals, but Washington can’t rely on hypotheticals at this point. Along with Harper, Daniel Murphy, Gio Gonzalez, Matt Wieters, and Ryan Madson are amongst the other names who find themselves in contract limbo, adding more pressure on the Nats to win this season. Martinez has brought a new, exciting energy to the team, but how well will that translate to on-field success? The Nationals have the deepest and most talented roster in the division — and it helps that the lowly Miami Marlins play in the same division — but GM Mike Rizzo (whose contract is also set to expire at season’s end) may look to strengthen the back end of the starting rotation and the catching position, which is currently occupied by Wieters, by the trade deadline to put his club in a lucrative spot for postseason success. Even as presently constructed, the Nats remain division favorites by a long shot and should easily capture the NL East title.
The biggest challengers to the Nationals’ NL East supremacy are the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets have a much better shot at pushing the Nationals for the division crown and could be primed for a postseason berth if they remain healthy. The Mets hired first-year manager Mickey Callaway to replace Terry Collins, and signed Todd Frazier and Adrian Gonzalez in the offseason. But make no mistake about it, the Mets will need Noah Syndergaard and Jacob DeGrom to remain healthy if they want any shot at being relevant this season. It’s really that simple for the Mets, which is probably why they also overhauled their medical staff.
The Phillies, meanwhile, signed Jake Arrieta, Carlos Santana and Pat Neshek during the offeseason, which signals the brass believes the rebuild is over. However, the Phillies may still be one season away from being true contenders, but don’t be surprised if they have a Brewers-esqe season and surprise a few teams. Philadelphia has a formidable back end of the bullpen, led by the trio of Neshek, Hector Neris and Tommy Hunter, and a rotation led by Aaron Nola and Arrieta, which is a great way to finally end their five-year run of losing seasons. However, I think they finish just short of a postseason spot.
Division Winner: Nationals
NL Central: The Cubs will once again be favorites to win the NL Central, especially after signing the top free agent starter available this offseason in Yu Darvish. The Cubs also signed Tyler Chatwood to man the fifth spot in the starting rotation and brought in relievers Brandon Morrow and Steve Cishek to solidify the bullpen. There is no doubt that the weak link on the roster is the bullpen, which struggled mightily in the playoffs last year, compiling a 6.21 ERA and walking 27 batters in 10 postseason games. Morrow takes over the closer spot after Wade Davis departs in free agency, and Cishek will play the set-up role with Pedro Strop and CJ Edwards. The rotation ranks amongst the best in the entire Majors and the lineup is primed to lead the league in runs scored. If Ian Happ proves to be a consistent lead-off hitter and Kyle Schwarber can cut down on the strikeouts, this Cubs lineup is probably up there with the Yankees and Red Sox as the most dangerous in the Majors. It’s World Series or bust and the only question for Joe Maddon and the Cubs is whether or not they can win another World Series? It should be a fun season on the North Side.
The Brewers and Cardinals are the biggest threats to the Cubs in the NL Central. Both teams revamped their respective rosters in the offseason in hopes of dethroning Chicago. The Brewers added outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich to give them one of the deepest and powerful outfields in MLB. Ultimately, the weak spot for the Brewers is their starting rotation, which as of now is led by Chase Anderson and Zach Davies. Don’t be surprised if the Brewers shop for pitching near the trade deadline, given their need for rotational depth and the surplus of position players in the outfield.
The Cardinals, like their divisional rivals in Milwaukee, also added outfield depth from the rebuilding Miami Marlins. The Cardinals added Marcell Ozuna in the offseason to strengthen the lineup, however the team’s strength lies in the bullpen and that is how St. Louis hopes to pry a playoff spot this season. The division is tough but the Cardinals will need any and all contributions from the bullpen to step up, especially when Alex Reyes, who was injured last season but went 4–1 with a 1.57 ERA in 2016, returns to the pen. The Cardinals will put up a fight and will need Ozuna and Tommy Pham to lead the way offensively while hoping their revamped pitching staff can also chip in to earn a playoff berth, but ultimately, I think the red birds fall just short of the playoffs.
Division Winner: Cubs
Wild Card spot: Brewers
NL West: The NL West was the best division in baseball last season, with three playoff teams led by the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Rockies. Expect the division to be competitive again this season, but brace for a similar outcome: the Dodgers are the class of the division and will win the NL West again. The strength for the Dodgers is their young positional depth. LA has six regular position players aged 27 or younger, highlighted by first baseman Cody Bellinger, the NL rookie of the year last season, and shortstop Corey Seager. The lineup is full of big bats, however Justin Turner will spend time on the DL and we likely won’t see him return to the lineup until May, but the Dodgers should survive without him. Obviously, Clayton Kershaw is central to the Dodgers’ success, but the ultimate question is how he will fare in the postseason when the Dodgers need him most.
The Rockies will trot perhaps their most prominent roster in franchise history this season and will challenge the Dodgers all season long. The Rockies added Wade Davis and Bryan Shaw in free agency to an already stout bullpen. The Rockies went 10–9 against the Dodgers last season, so they know how to match up well with the NL West favorites, but the separation between the teams could be determined in the bullpen. It should be fun to monitor how Colorado fares this season, but this ballclub should not be overlooked with a revamped bullpen and formidable lineup that can score runs in bunches.
The Diamondbacks had a surprising season in 2017, led by a solid starting staff and an offense that used Chase Field to its advantage. Arizona lost slugger J.D. Martinez to the Red Sox in free agency, but the Diamondbacks were extremely successful prior to his arrival mid-season last year, so they should be able to maintain some level of success again this season without his powerful bat in the middle of the lineup. The question mark on this Arizona team is the bullpen, with Brad Boxberger set to be the closer and Archie Bradley taking on the same, prolific role he had last season. Ultimately, I expect the D-backs to finish just shy of a playoff spot this season, but they should be a threat for a majority of the season.
If it was 2010, the San Francisco Giants might’ve been the favorites to win the NL West. The Giants lost Madison Bumgarner and Jeff Samardzija in consecutive days during Spring Training as both guys will begin the season on the DL. The Giants traded for Andrew MCCuthcen and signed Evan Longoria to add some more firepower to the lineup, but Longoria is aging and McClutchen’s numbers have been declining the past few seasons. This team is old and mediocre defensively. Expect another disappointing season in the Bay.
Division Winner: Dodgers
Wild Card Spot: Rockies
