The National League East will once again be one of the toughest divisions in all of baseball. While the Atlanta Braves have dominated this division for the better part of a decade, the Philadelphia Phillies are looking to put their mark on the division after winning it all in 2024. Meanwhile, the New York Mets, led by their massive Juan Soto acquisition, will look to break the dominance of their division rivals. Here's a breakdown of how things might unfold in 2025.
1. Atlanta Braves (95-67, First in Division)
A Rebound Year
The Braves enter 2025 with something to prove after an injury-plagued 2024, where they still managed to scrape into the playoffs. This time around, a healthy roster should lead to a much more dominant year. Ronald Acuña Jr. is expected back by May after his ACL recovery, and while his return may not be at full speed, he remains one of the most dangerous players in the league. But it’s not just the lineup that gives Atlanta the edge — it’s their starting rotation.
The Key to Success
Chris Sale's incredible 2024 campaign (2.38 ERA, 225 strikeouts) was an unexpected highlight, and with Spencer Strider returning from a UCL injury, the Braves will have one of the most feared rotations in the game. Add in Spencer Schwellenbach, who shone in his rookie year with a 3.35 ERA over 21 starts, and you've got a formidable pitching staff. Atlanta's depth is a concern, but Jurickson Profar's addition should add some much-needed stability to the lineup. As long as they stay healthy, the Braves are poised to reclaim their NL East crown.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (93-69, Second in Division)
The Reigning Champs
The Phillies are coming off a historic 2024 season where they captured their first NL East title in over a decade. With a potent lineup led by Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Trea Turner, the Phillies are built for a deep postseason run once again. Add in Jesús Luzardo to the already stellar rotation of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Ranger Suárez, and it's clear the Phillies have one of the deepest pitching staffs in baseball.
The Road to Success
Cristopher Sánchez, a first-time All-Star in 2024, will be a key player to watch in 2025. His 3.32 ERA over 181 2/3 innings last season shows he has the potential to become an NL Cy Young contender this year. The main question is whether the Phillies can avoid the feast-or-famine offense that has occasionally haunted them. Still, with so much talent across the board, they’ll remain one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
3. New York Mets (88-74, Third in Division)
Betting Big on Soto
The Mets' offseason was nothing short of dramatic, as they made waves by signing Juan Soto to a $765 million contract. With Soto, Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Mark Vientos, the Mets' offense is as dangerous as ever. But the pitching? That’s where things get tricky. With ace Kodai Senga’s health still uncertain and a rotation that lacks stability, the Mets are once again putting a lot of pressure on their bats to carry them.
The Dark Horse
Even though the Mets' rotation is held together with some duct tape and prayers, they could still make a serious playoff run if Soto delivers on his potential. After all, he’s one of the best pure hitters in the game. If he and Lindor can stay healthy and put up MVP-caliber seasons, they could push the Phillies and Braves to the wire. But without a reliable pitching staff, the Mets might find themselves fighting for a wildcard spot rather than a division title.
Betting Big on Soto
The Mets' offseason was nothing short of dramatic, as they made waves by signing Juan Soto to a $765 million contract. With Soto, Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Mark Vientos, the Mets' offense is as dangerous as ever. But the pitching? That’s where things get tricky. With ace Kodai Senga’s health still uncertain and a rotation that lacks stability, the Mets are once again putting a lot of pressure on their bats to carry them.
The Dark Horse
Even though the Mets' rotation is held together with some duct tape and prayers, they could still make a serious playoff run if Soto delivers on his potential. After all, he’s one of the best pure hitters in the game. If he and Lindor can stay healthy and put up MVP-caliber seasons, they could push the Phillies and Braves to the wire. But without a reliable pitching staff, the Mets might find themselves fighting for a wildcard spot rather than a division title.
4. Washington Nationals (78-84, Fourth in Division)
The Next Wave of Stars
The Nationals are in an exciting phase of their rebuild, with rising stars like James Wood leading the way. Wood, a 6-foot-7 outfielder with power and speed, is primed for a breakout season after hitting nine homers and stealing 14 bases in his 2024 rookie campaign. However, Washington’s pitching staff remains a major question mark, and without enough arms to contend, the Nationals will likely fall short of a playoff push in 2025.
A Step in the Right Direction
Though they lack the depth of the top contenders, the Nationals have the pieces to surprise, especially if their young talents like Wood continue to develop. MacKenzie Gore has shown flashes of brilliance, and if he can stay healthy, he could anchor the pitching staff. But this year is likely more about laying the foundation for future success.
The Next Wave of Stars
The Nationals are in an exciting phase of their rebuild, with rising stars like James Wood leading the way. Wood, a 6-foot-7 outfielder with power and speed, is primed for a breakout season after hitting nine homers and stealing 14 bases in his 2024 rookie campaign. However, Washington’s pitching staff remains a major question mark, and without enough arms to contend, the Nationals will likely fall short of a playoff push in 2025.
A Step in the Right Direction
Though they lack the depth of the top contenders, the Nationals have the pieces to surprise, especially if their young talents like Wood continue to develop. MacKenzie Gore has shown flashes of brilliance, and if he can stay healthy, he could anchor the pitching staff. But this year is likely more about laying the foundation for future success.
5. Miami Marlins (58-104, Fifth in Division)
The Struggle Continues
The Marlins took a step back in 2024 after a surprise playoff appearance in 2023, finishing with 100 losses. Despite having Sandy Alcantara at the top of their rotation, Miami’s lackluster offense remains a huge roadblock. They’ll need breakout performances from young players like Connor Norby, who showed flashes of promise after being acquired at the 2024 trade deadline. But with an offense that’s likely to struggle once again, the Marlins will find themselves near the bottom of the division.
A Glimmer of Hope
While the Marlins' future might be brighter than their present, 2025 is another year of rebuilding. They simply don’t have the firepower to compete with the big dogs in the division, but young players like Norby and pitchers like Alcantara could provide a glimpse of hope for the future.
The Struggle Continues
The Marlins took a step back in 2024 after a surprise playoff appearance in 2023, finishing with 100 losses. Despite having Sandy Alcantara at the top of their rotation, Miami’s lackluster offense remains a huge roadblock. They’ll need breakout performances from young players like Connor Norby, who showed flashes of promise after being acquired at the 2024 trade deadline. But with an offense that’s likely to struggle once again, the Marlins will find themselves near the bottom of the division.
A Glimmer of Hope
While the Marlins' future might be brighter than their present, 2025 is another year of rebuilding. They simply don’t have the firepower to compete with the big dogs in the division, but young players like Norby and pitchers like Alcantara could provide a glimpse of hope for the future.
NL East Outlook: The Braves and Phillies Are the Class of the Division
The Braves, despite their injury woes in 2024, will likely emerge as the NL East champions in 2025, especially with a fully healthy roster. The Phillies will be a formidable opponent, but they’ll need to improve their offensive consistency to claim the division. The Mets, with their big acquisition of Soto, could make things interesting, but pitching remains their Achilles' heel. The Nationals are on the rise, and while the Marlins have a long way to go, they’re building towards something more sustainable down the road.
All in all, the NL East promises to be one of the most exciting divisions in baseball once again, with the Braves and Phillies leading the charge.
