After 162 games, the National League playoff picture is set, with six teams vying for a trip to the World Series. The Dodgers and Phillies, boasting the best records, earned byes, while the Milwaukee Brewers locked up their sixth postseason berth in seven years by winning the Central. The Padres surged into the first wild card, and after splitting a doubleheader, the Braves claimed the No. 5 seed, with the Mets securing the last wild card slot.
Here’s a look at each NL team:
1) Los Angeles Dodgers 2024 Record: 98-64 (NL West Champions)
MVP: Shohei Ohtani, DH
Next Matchup: Bye (will face winner of Braves vs. Padres)
Shohei Ohtani's historic season will likely earn him the NL MVP, as his offensive exploits fueled a lineup already stacked with stars like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. But injuries, including ace Tyler Glasnow’s season-ending elbow injury, leave the Dodgers' rotation vulnerable. Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will need to step up. The bullpen, led by Evan Phillips, has had its ups and downs, blowing 29 saves. Still, the Dodgers enter October as the favorites with home-field advantage throughout.
2) Philadelphia Phillies 2024 Record: 95-67 (NL East Champions)
MVP: Zack Wheeler, RHP
Next Matchup: Bye (will face winner of Mets vs. Brewers)
The Phillies dominated the first half but cooled off after the break. Their rotation is a strength, with Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Cristopher Sanchez leading the charge. Offensively, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Trea Turner anchor a lineup that can explode but also slump. The bullpen, featuring Carlos Estevez and Jose Alvarado, is deep, and Citizens Bank Park provides a notable home-field advantage.
3) Milwaukee Brewers 2024 Record: 93-69 (NL Central Champions)
MVP: William Contreras, C
Next Matchup: Home vs. New York Mets
Milwaukee has quietly become a playoff regular, despite lacking star power. Freddy Peralta fronts a rotation that doesn’t intimidate, but the bullpen, led by Devin Williams, is elite. The lineup lacks flash, especially with Christian Yelich out, but players like Contreras and Willy Adames can provide power. Their strong defense and bullpen make them a dangerous October opponent.
4) San Diego Padres 2024 Record: 93-69 (Wild Card 1)
MVP: Jackson Merrill, OF
Next Matchup: Home vs. Atlanta Braves
The Padres have been scorching hot in the second half, led by a powerful lineup featuring Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Merrill. The rotation is strong with Yu Darvish, Dylan Cease, and Michael King, and the bullpen is loaded with weapons, though closer Robert Suarez has been shaky of late. San Diego could be a dangerous wild card team poised for a deep run.
5) Atlanta Braves 2024 Record: 89-73 (Wild Card 2)
MVP: Chris Sale, LHP
Next Matchup: Away vs. San Diego Padres
Next Matchup: Away vs. San Diego Padres
Injuries have decimated the Braves, but their resilience has kept them in contention. Chris Sale has been lights-out but will miss the wild card round due to injury. Max Fried and rookie Spencer Schwellenbach will lead the rotation. Despite a battered lineup, the Braves' bullpen is one of the best in baseball, anchored by Raisel Iglesias.
6) New York Mets 2024 Record: 89-73 (Wild Card 3)
MVP: Francisco Lindor, SS
Next Matchup: Away vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Left for dead in May, the Mets turned their season around thanks to strong starting pitching. Luis Severino and Jose Quintana have led a staff that now gives the Mets a real shot in October. Francisco Lindor had a stellar second half, while Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo provided consistent offense. The bullpen has been shaky, but Edwin Diaz remains one of the best closers in the game.
Wild Card Predictions
This postseason is shaping up to be an unpredictable race. While the Phillies have a legitimate shot at advancing and capturing the World Series, their offensive inconsistency poses a risk. It’s not hard to imagine a scenario where they squander a stellar Cy Young-caliber outing from either Aaron Nola or Zack Wheeler, only to be undone by an alarming number of strikeouts—15 in consecutive games, perhaps. I'll delve deeper into the Phillies later this week, but for now, let’s turn our attention to the Wild Card.
The Mets’ resurgence has certainly been a compelling narrative, but I believe the Brewers present a more complete package. They have the tools to eliminate New York. While the series might stretch to the maximum, the energy the Mets expended just to reach this point could ultimately be their downfall.
In the other matchup, the Padres stand out as a genuine World Series contender. I expect them to handle the Braves, a team that, much like the Mets, is simply pleased to be in the postseason.
