Phillies
Good: The team is at the top of the NL East and 2nd in the National League overall with good starting pitching and bats. The bats continue to produce led by OF Kyle Schwarber who is 2nd in the MLB with 49 homeruns so far, franchise player 1B/OF Bryce Harper, and veteran SS Trea Turner. Veterans OF Nick Castellanos and C J.T. Realmuto continue to provide a consistent bat with power. 2B Bryson Stott has been a consistent bat this season, while 3B Alec Bohm has rebounded after a slow start and trade rumors. Late pickup OF Harrison Bader has been productive.
The trade for P Jesus Luzardo has paid off with him getting off to a hot start, but still playing well as a #3 pitcher. Ace Zack Wheeler was playing very well before injury. Cristopher Sanchez has been playing like an ace all season and will now be forced into that role. Ranger Suarez continues to be a solid #2/3 pitcher when healthy. Closer Jhoan Duran has taken over the position after a deadline trade and improved a unit in need. The team was able to sign veteran Walker Buehler who was released by the Red Sox, but he has shown he can heat up in the postseason.
Bad: Wheeler is out for the season after being in the NL CY Young race with Paul Skenes. Veteran P Aaron Nola has shown improvement but continues to give up runs. The bullpen has struggled with injuries and ineffective play. Offseason pickup OF Max Kepler has struggled after a good start. The team lacks batting depth. With Wheeler’s injury, like last season the team has 3 reliable pitchers for the playoffs in Sanchez, Suarez, and Luzardo, but is it enough?
Mets
Good: The team is healthy and in the last wildcard spot with a chance to takeover the division lead with a strong finish. The bats have produced very well led by their big 3 of SS Francisco Lindor, OF Juan Soto, and 1B Pete Alonso, along with underrated OF Brandon Nimmo. 3B/2B Brett Baty has taken the next step showing good consistency and improved power. 3B Mark Vientos and OF Starling Marte have both heated up after cold starts and injuries. Veteran 2B/OF Jeff McNeil has been a consistent bat this season with some power. Late pickup OF Cedric Mullins improves the defense. The pitching staff has played well especially the starters led by David Peterson as ace Kodai Senga has worked his way back into form. 1st year P Nolan McLean has played at an ace level so far at 3-0 0.89 era. The changes to the bullpen have improved the unit.
Bad: While the pitching has played well as a unit, can it hold up in the playoffs? The team paid a lot to get Soto but might not be better than the Phillies. With injuries at the Catcher position, the team might need a consistent backup. The OF depth has had injuries all season, including offseason addition Jose Siri.
Marlins
Good: The team has already shown good growth through smart trades and continuing to develop their young talent. The young pitching staff has produced led by Edward Cabrera taking the next step and Max Meyer playing well before injury. 1st year C/DH Agustin Ramirez looks like a steal from the Yankees as a solid power bat. Former Oriole Kyle Stowers has taken the next step showing good power this season, along with Connor Norby who was playing well before injury. SS Xavier Edwards and 2B Otto Lopez continue to be young players with speed and consistent bats. 1st year C/1B Liam Hicks has played well so far upgrading the position with Ramirez.
Bad: Ace Sandy Alcantara never regained his high trade value from a season or two ago, so the Marlins had to hold onto him despite the struggles. Free agent signing P Cal Quantrill was ineffective and has been let go. 1B Matt Mervis was providing good power early in the season but has been ice cold. The team could use another power bat or two. Even if Alcantara is traded, the team will need another top-level pitcher to replace him.
Braves
Good: OF Ronald Acuna Jr. is healthy again and leading the team as the franchise player. Veteran OF Jurickson Profar has been very productive since returning from suspension. 1st year C Drake Baldwin has been a solid addition taking over the starting job and he is in the running for NL Rookie of the Year. Young OF Michael Harris II has heated up after a cold start. The pitching staff has played well despite the injuries and gives them hope going forward for when they are healthy. The team has hit with good power.
Bad: Early injuries to ace Spencer Strider and Acuna., derailed the season early with nobody to step up in a tough division. Injuries to the pitching staff. Down seasons by OF/DH Marcell Ozuna and 2B Ozzie Albies. Big signing C Sean Murphy has shown power but continues to struggle. 3B Austin Riley is out for the season as a consistent power bat. The veteran OF depth has not produced. The team has struggled to find a long-term solution for the SS position. The team has underachieved this season.
Nationals
Good: The team is playing all their young players to see who they can build with going forward batting and pitching. OF James Wood has proven to be a solid power bat and the franchise guy, but he needs to continue to improve his consistency. SS C.J. Abrams continues to be the leader of the team and has been productive and consistent at the leadoff spot. 2B Luis Garcia Jr. continues to be a consistent bat. 1B/DH Josh Bell has continued to show much needed power.
Bad: The manager and front office has already been turned over with no real direction at this point with the lack of talent. The pitching staff needs to be rebuilt with talks of moving their best pitcher Mackenzie Gore. While 2nd year OF Dylan Crews has shown flashes, injuries and ineffective play have been the story so far for the high pick. The team released 1B Nathaniel Lowe who is usually known for getting on base, but instead provided power while struggling to get on base. The team needs their young OF’s and pitchers to show potential or it will be a tough rebuild.
