Less than two weeks away from Opening Day on March 27, the National League season is set to kick off with the Dodgers and Cubs playing two games in Tokyo. As the season approaches, Yahoo Sports’ MLB experts are previewing each team in the National League, offering best-case scenarios, worst-case scenarios, make-or-break players, and season predictions.
Starting with the National League East, the Atlanta Braves are projected to have a record of 94-68 with a 92.6% chance of making the playoffs and a 62.0% chance of winning the division. Despite injuries plaguing the team last year, the Braves managed to secure a playoff spot but were eliminated in the wild-card round. Their best-case scenario envisions key players like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider returning to top form, leading the team to 110 wins and a World Series title. However, their worst-case scenario sees injuries derailing their season, resulting in a fourth-place finish. Chris Sale is identified as the make-or-break player for the Braves, as his performance will be crucial to the team’s success. The season prediction for the Braves is to win the division and have a successful playoff run.
Moving on to the Philadelphia Phillies, they are projected to have a record of 87-75 with a 68.9% chance of making the playoffs and a 20.6% chance of winning the division. After winning the NL East last year, the Phillies faltered in the NLDS against the Mets. In their best-case scenario, the team’s veteran hitters continue to perform well, while their pitching staff excels with new additions. However, in their worst-case scenario, the team misses out on the playoffs due to stagnation and underperformance. Trea Turner is highlighted as the make-or-break player for the Phillies, as his consistency will be key to their success. The season prediction for the Phillies is to secure a wild-card spot and have a solid playoff run.
Lastly, the New York Mets are projected to have a record of 86-76 with a 63.8% chance of making the playoffs and a 17.1% chance of winning the division. After a memorable October run last year, the Mets fell short in the NLCS due to pitching issues. Their best-case scenario envisions their potent offense leading them to a division title and their first World Series win in the Moneybag Mets era. However, their worst-case scenario sees them struggling to compete and missing out on the playoffs. The make-or-break player for the Mets is not specified, but the team’s success will likely depend on their pitching staff. The season prediction for the Mets is to secure a playoff spot and make a strong postseason push.
Stay tuned for more team previews in the National League and upcoming previews for the American League. The Soto-led Mets lineup excels as expected, with Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Mark Vientos all performing at an All-Star level. The MLB pitching coaches work their magic with the undermanned rotation. Sean Manaea’s oblique strain doesn’t hinder his performance, and he continues his excellence from the previous year. Jeff McNeil becomes a Latin pop sensation with a hit song, and the Mets begin a new era of dominance in Queens.
In the worst-case scenario, the Mets suffer a starting pitching disaster and end up in a disappointing fourth-place finish. Manaea and Frankie Montas’ injuries linger, and the rest of the rotation fails to step up. Alonso’s decline continues, Lindor falls short of MVP status, Vientos struggles to replicate his breakout season, and the bullpen struggles, leading to a disappointing season by the All-Star break.
The make-or-break player for the Mets is Kodai Senga, who showed promise in 2023 but battled injuries in 2024. The range of outcomes for Senga is uncertain, but the Mets are counting on him to return to form.
Overall, the season prediction for the Mets is a playoff appearance but falling short of expectations due to pitching issues. While the lineup is strong, the starting rotation may not be enough to lead the Mets to a World Series title. The Marlins front office has traded away valuable assets in recent months, so it will be intriguing to see if they decide to trade Alcantara if he performs well in the first half of the season.
Prediction for the season: The Marlins have a decent pitching staff that will prevent them from hitting historic lows, but they are likely to finish with the worst record in the NL. The team has been designed to lose, and it will take a long time before they are competitive again. It is doubtful that the players currently on the team are the ones who will turn the franchise’s fortunes around. The new president of baseball operations has completely revamped the organization, and while there are some interesting players, it will be a while before the Marlins are relevant in baseball again. Louis may have missed their chance to cash in on young talent like Ryan Helsley and Erick Fedde, which could delay their return to contention and be tough for their fan base to tolerate. The make-or-break player for the team is Jordan Walker, who needs to bounce back to his rookie form in order to solidify his place in the lineup. The season prediction is that the Cardinals will hover around .500, sell off veterans at the trade deadline, and focus on building a roster for future success in 2026.
For the Chicago Cubs, the projected record is 84-78 with decent odds to make the playoffs. The team made some big moves in the offseason, acquiring star outfielder Kyle Tucker and adding veteran pieces to fuel a return to October. The best-case scenario sees the Cubs winning over 90 games and cruising to a division title, while the worst-case scenario involves underperformance leading to changes in the front office. The make-or-break player is Tucker, who needs to step up and perform at a superstar level for the team to succeed. The season prediction is that the Cubs will return to the playoffs as the division winner, but may fall short of a deep postseason run. The season was considered successful and encouraging, but Tucker’s impending departure in free agency brings uncertainty as winter approaches. The Cincinnati Reds are projected to have a record of 78-84 with a 19.5% chance of making the playoffs and an 11.5% chance of winning the division. Last year, the Reds struggled with injuries and underperformance, leading to a disappointing season. They made significant offseason moves, including hiring Terry Francona as manager and adding key players to the lineup and pitching staff.
In the best-case scenario, Francona energizes the team, players perform at their best, and the Reds secure a postseason spot. However, in the worst-case scenario, the roster proves to be too flawed, leading to another disappointing season. Jeimer Candelario is identified as a make-or-break player for the Reds, needing to improve on a dismal 2024 season.
Overall, it is predicted that Francona will have a positive impact on the team, guiding them to a competitive season. However, the Reds may fall short of making the postseason, continuing their playoff drought since 1995. On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Pirates are projected to have a similar record to the Reds, with a chance of making the playoffs. The Pirates showed promise with the arrival of Paul Skenes but struggled with offensive shortcomings and a weak bullpen last season.
In the best-case scenario for the Pirates, Skenes shines, the rotation excels, and young prospects make significant contributions. However, in the worst-case scenario, injuries and regressions hinder the pitching staff, leading to another last-place finish. David Bednar is highlighted as a make-or-break player for the Pirates, needing to bounce back from a disappointing season.
Ultimately, the Pirates may see improvement in their win total compared to previous years but still face challenges in building a competitive offense. Both teams are hoping for a successful season but face uncertainties and challenges as they prepare for the upcoming season. The Pittsburgh native was a dominant closer in baseball for two seasons until things went awry in 2024. If he can regain his form, it could elevate the pitching staff from very good to excellent. The Pirates are predicted to win 77-80 games and finish in fourth or fifth place, extending their playoff drought to a decade.
On the other hand, the Los Angeles Dodgers are projected to have a stellar season, with a roster that might be the best in league history. They have a strong chance of repeating as World Series champions. The San Diego Padres, on the other hand, are expected to have a more uncertain season due to ownership disputes and potential roster changes.
In conclusion, while the Pirates may struggle to break through as a winning team, the Dodgers are poised to dominate the league and the Padres face a season of uncertainty with a mix of high-end talent and potential challenges. The Padres are expected to be in the NL wild-card race until further roster changes are made. The Diamondbacks are projected to have a record of 86-76, with a 59.7% chance of making the playoffs and a 9.2% chance of winning the division. After a disappointing 2024 season, they made strong offseason moves, including signing ace Corbin Burnes. Their best-case scenario involves strong performances from Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte, while their rotation excels, leading them to the NLCS. However, their worst-case scenario includes Burnes regressing and the lineup struggling, keeping them out of the postseason.
On the other hand, the Giants are projected to have a record of 81-81, with a 28.4% chance of making the playoffs and a 2.6% chance of winning the division. Despite adding players like Willy Adames and Justin Verlander, they may struggle to improve significantly. Their best-case scenario involves Logan Webb leading the pitching staff and Adames providing the offensive power they need. However, if Verlander and other key players struggle with injuries, and the offense remains stagnant, they may fall short of a postseason spot. Adames is considered a make-or-break player for the Giants, as his offensive contributions will be crucial. Overall, the Giants may show flashes of potential but could have difficulty making a playoff push in 2025. The Los Angeles Dodgers emerged victorious in 2025 with an impressive season that showcased their dominance on the field. Led by the multi-talented Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers displayed exceptional teamwork and skill, securing numerous wins throughout the season.
Their projected record indicated a strong performance, with high odds of making the playoffs and winning the division. The team’s success was attributed to their star players, strategic gameplay, and unwavering determination to clinch victory in every game they played.
As the season progressed, the Dodgers continued to showcase their prowess, outperforming their opponents and solidifying their position as a powerhouse in the league. With each game, they demonstrated unparalleled talent and passion for the sport, captivating fans and critics alike with their remarkable performances.
Ultimately, the Dodgers’ triumph in 2025 was a testament to their unwavering dedication, exceptional skills, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Their victory will be remembered as a defining moment in baseball history, showcasing the true essence of teamwork, perseverance, and the unyielding spirit of champions. sentence: Please remember to turn off the lights before leaving the room.