Phillies
Good: The team is at the top of the division. The starting pitching has played very well with ace Zach Wheeler in NL CY Young Award contention, Jesus Luzardo rebounding with a change of scenery, Ranger Suarez healthy again on fire, and a good season by Cristopher Sanchez. OF Kyle Schwaber has been putting up great numbers while continuing to be a top homerun threat with 30. SS Trea Turner continues to be one of the most consistent bats in the league. 1B/OF Bryce Harper continues to play well, despite the early injury. C J.T. Realmuto continues to be a consistent bat. 2B Bryson Stott has played well this season even moving to the leadoff spot. OF Nick Castellanos continues to be a consistent bat with power. 3B Alec Bohm has rebounded after early trade rumors. 1st year 1B/3B Otto Kemp has been a solid depth piece.
Bad: The Mets are only 0.5 game back from taking the lead back. The bullpen needs help after a good start, but injuries and declined production have taken over. #2 Pitcher Aaron Nola has struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness. Free agent pickup OF Max Kepler has cooled off after a good start. The team could use bullpen help and another bat.
Mets
Good: The team is in wildcard contention and 0.5 games from regaining the division. The top 4 bats have led the way in underrated SS Francisco Lindor at the leadoff, 1B Pete Alonso who continues to be a top homerun threat, OF Brandon Nimmo who can do it all, and top free agent pickup OF Juan Soto who is finding his form. Veteran 2B/OF Jeff McNeil has been a consistent bat providing power at the right times also. 2nd year players 2B/SS Luisangel Acuna and 3B Ronny Mauricio have been able to receive valuable playing time along with young 3B Brett Baty who has shown power this season. OF Starling Marte is playing well after a slow start and injuries. The starting pitching has produced very well with ace Kodai Senga regaining form, the smart move to use pickup Clay Holmes as a starter, good production from veterans David Peterson and Tylor Megill, and a rebound season from late pickup Griffin Canning. Closer Edwin Diaz is regaining his form as one of the best in the league and the bullpen has played well. P Sean Manaea is back from injury which should help as a #2/3 pitcher after playing well last season.
Bad: 3B Mark Vientos has taken a step back after being a dangerous bat last season expected to take the next step. The OF depth like Tyrone Taylor and Jesse Winker hasn’t produced as expected. The production from the Catcher position is declining. Free agent pickups pitchers Frankie Montas and Paul Blackburn have not been as good as expected especially Blackburn. The team could use one more top-level bat for the DH spot or to slide into a positional spot occasionally with the inconsistencies from the younger players and Vientos.
Marlins
Good: The team might be in 3rd place but it’s a big jump from being at the bottom last year. The trade for Orioles 3B/2B Connor Norby and OF Kyle Stowers last season continues to pay off as Norby has been a consistent bat and Stowers has added good power to his game. The production from the Catcher position has been very good with 1st year players Agustin Ramirez and Liam Hicks with Ramirez showing good power in the NL Rookie of the Year race; Ramirez was acquired for Jazz Chisholm from the Yankees. SS Xavier Edwards and 2B Otto Lopez have been consistent while adding speed to the lineup. Long-time player OF Jesus Sanchez continues to be a solid bat for the team. OF Dane Myers has taken a step forward in year 3. 2nd year 1B Eric Wagaman has been a consistent bat. P Edward Cabrera has played well after a slow start and along with some of the younger players. The bullpen has played well so far.
Bad: The main trade piece P Sandy Alcantara trade value has declined to a very low level with his injuries and ineffectiveness. The pitching staff could use two top level pitchers with Alcantara struggling. Young P Max Meyer who was off to a good start is out for the season. 1B Matt Mervis was bringing good power before going ice cold. The team could also use a power bat to replace the power Mervis was bringing.
Braves
Good: Star players OF Ronald Acuna Jr. and P Spencer Strider have returned to the team with Acuna playing very well and Strider regaining ace form. 3B Austin Riley continues to be a very consistent bat and homerun threat. 1B Matt Olson has heated up after a slow start as the power left-handed bat. The Catcher position has produced with rookie Drake Baldwin in strong contention for NL Rookie of the Year and C Sean Murphy showing good power in a rebound season after being a big trade pickup before. Veteran OF Marcell Ozuna continues to be a consistent bat and power threat. OF Jurickson Profar has been a consistent bat since returning from suspension. OF Eli White has been a solid depth piece. The pitching staff has produced especially the starting unit with another top season from veteran Chris Sale and good seasons so far from 2nd year pitchers Spencer Schwellenbach and Grant Holmes, especially Schwellenbach.
Bad: The team has fallen far behind in a tough division after big hopes for playoffs despite the injuries. 2B Ozzie Albies has cooled off after a hot start. Same for OF Michael Harris II. The team has given up on some depth bats and could use some help. P A.J. Smith-Shawver is out for the season after playing well in his 3rd season. The team could use another starting pitcher, a bat or two, and possibly another reliever.
Nationals
Good: The players from the Juan Soto trade continue to develop with SS C.J. Abrams as a consistent bat and leader of the team, OF James Wood developing into a star and top homerun bat, and P Mackenzie Gore continuing to develop into a possible ace. Free agent pickup 1B Nate Lowe usually known for getting on base has hit for good power. 3B/SS Ahmed Rosario has been a consistent bat as a free agent pickup. The younger players on the team have been able to receive valuable playing time.
Bad: The team is last in a tough division. The team has fired it’s GM and manager. The pitching staff, starting and bullpen has been horrible outside of Gore. #2 pick OF Dylan Crews has struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness. The team needs to continue to add veteran bats to the mix as they could use another bat or two and the team needs top level pitching help.
