Whether it’s the rise of the Mets in the East division, the super competitive Central division with the Cardinals, Pirates, and Cubs, or the disappointment of the new look Padres in NL West, the 2015 MLB season this year has been quite the story in the National League.
Below are reviews for the first half of the season for each division of the National League, and predictions for how it will all end.
National League Review and Predictions
NL West
Biggest surprise so far (more like disappointment): the San Diego Padres.
After going out and getting Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, and then capping off the off season by trading for Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton Jr., the San Diego Padres have been flat out the biggest disappointment in the NL West, if not the entire league.
Matt Kemp, who looked like he was returning to his old ways at the end of the 2014 season, has completely fallen flat on expectations thus far in the season. The only good thing for the Padres regarding Matt Kemp, is that the division rival Dodgers are still paying the bulk of Matt Kemp’s contract. As we all know, though, the Dodgers can afford it.
Predictions
There are only two constants in the NL West right now, and those constants are the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants. Which one will win it?
For the Dodgers, it’s a matter of keeping their rotation healthy and steady, and keeping their bull pen out of it as much as possible.
For the Giants, who can never be counted out, need to somehow find a way to get healthier. The Giants have been plagued with injuries all year, including injuries to Matt Cain, Hunter Pence, and Jake Peavy.
Therefore, with the unbelievable depth that the Dodges have on their bench in both the outfield and infield, I expect the Dodgers to retain their NL West Division crown.
NL Central
Biggest surprise so far: the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates
The Chicago Cubs entered the All-Star break 47-40. With Theo Epstein at the helm of the front office the last couple of years, with Joe Maddon managing from the dugout, and with the rise of rookie Kris Bryant, one can’t be completely surprised.
Unfortunately for the Cubs, as if playing in the same division as the ever powerful St. Louis Cardinals isn’t enough, they have to worry about the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates, who were eliminated by the San Francisco Giants in last year’s Wild Card playoff, have bounced back and have shown everyone they’re not going anywhere. The Pirates finished the first half of the season with a 53-35 record, and topped off the first half with a dramatic walk off win against the first place St. Louis Cardinals.
Predictions
I’m a firm believer in baseball being a marathon and not a sprint, and the St. Louis Cardinals have been too hot this year. I believe the Pittsburgh Pirates will hang in there and will eventually pull ahead of the Cardinals just in the nick of time come season end.
With that being said, I expect both wild card spots to from the NL central, and my money is certainly on the Cardinals being at least one of those wild cards.
And if the Cardinals somehow don’t get a wild card, I believe most of the baseball world will be ok with that.
NL East
Biggest surprise: the New York Mets
Does anyone remember the team that plays in Queens, New York, the team that has the same colors as the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the team that has a mascot that has a baseball for a head?
If you don’t recall, they’re called the Mets and they have some ridiculously good pitching.
Even with Zack Wheeler out, Matt Harvey, Bartolo Calon, and Jacob deGrom have boasted great first halves. Rookie Steven Matz, though injured, also boasted great starts in his first two appearances of his big league career. All that on top of the performance of their other rookie pitcher, Noah Syndergaard.
Even John Smoltz is impressed. He recently told the New York Daily News that the Mets rotation is “way better” in comparison to the 90’s Atlanta Braves rotation of him, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine. (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/smoltz-mets-pitchers-better-1990s-era-braves-article-1.2295024)
Unfortunately, the Mets don’t have any bats. Despite that, the Mets have managed to stay within two games of the Washington Nationals going into the All-Star break.
Predictions
Even though Bryce Harper talks plenty of smack, he and his teammates on the Washington Nationals are able to back it up.
Max Scherzer has also lived up to the money that the Nats have dished out to him.
Therefore, even though it seems simple, the Nationals will outlast the Mets simply based on having both offense and defense.
Don’t count the Mets out the playoffs, though. If the NL Central somehow doesn’t take both Wild Card playoff spots, expect the Mets to be in.
Then, we’ll really see how good that Mets pitching is.
Wild Card Predictions
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Chicago Cubs
