Twins Daily Staff Predictions: National League

The Los Angeles Dodgers are very good. Need proof? Look at their 2020 World Series crown and star-studded lineup with names ranging from Mookie Betts to Justin Turner. Add in Trevor Bauer and this team seems unstoppable on paper.

Luckily, baseball isn’t played on paper, it’s played on the field. And the 23 writers on the Twins Daily staff didn’t necessarily see eye to eye on who will win the National League. Here’s a look at how the team stacked up on how each National League division will pan out followed by league championship predictions.

NL West: Los Angeles Dodgers (23 votes)

In this divisive time in our world, there’s one thing that most can agree on. The Dodgers are loaded on offense and defense and are the clear favorite to win the NL West.

There are few folks out there who would state that the Dodgers don’t have the best lineup in the MLB, one through nine. Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, Cory Seager, and company will propel the Dodgers to the top of the league both at the plate and in the field.

Yet the only thing that makes the 2021 Dodgers more lethal than they were in 2020 is their pitching staff. Reigning Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer may now repeat on the award, but there’s no doubt that he’ll be a major contributor to a rotation that is already filled with Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler. David Price will also contribute to the rotation.

Bottom line? Los Angeles has the ability to defeat teams on all three fronts and looks to be as strong as ever in 2021.

NL Central: St. Lous Cardinals (14 votes), Milwaukee Brewers (8 votes), Chicago Cubs (1 vote)

Just as it will in the American League Central, the NL Central will be one of the most intriguing divisions in the league throughout 2021. The addition of 3B Nolan Arenado certainly adds a jolt of talent to a Cardinals roster that already features an abundance of offense prowess and defensive stability across the board.

And while things look bright at Busch Stadium, don’t sleep on our friends across the St. Croix River. Coming off a 2020 season where many say the club underperformed, the Brew Crew welcome in Jackie Bradley Jr., one of the premier outfielders across the league.

JBJ will certainly provide a boost for Milwaukee at the plate, and defensively alongside Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain. The three could potentially be one of the strongest outfield tandems across the MLB.

Yet with every foot comes its Achilles. While the Brewers have a strong case at the plate and in the field, their weakness comes on the bump. Brandon Woodruff has the potential to be a rock-solid MLB pitcher. Yet the 28-year old is ripe when it comes to MLB experience and his successful 2019 season (11-3) shouldn’t be overshadowed by his inexperience and sup-par 2020 season.

Woodruff isn’t a bad pitcher by any means. He finished 3-5 in 2020. The righty even posted a better ERA in 2020 with 3.02 compared to his 3.62 average in 2019.

Woodruff isn’t the point. A solid 2-3 pitcher in many rotations, Woodruff doesn’t have the caliber behind him to fulfill success on the Brewers’ pitching front. While the have been moments of beauty, supporting cast members Corbin Burns, Adrian Houser, and Brett Anderson (I’m sorry) haven’t produced consistently to complete the rotation that Milwaukee needs to win the division.

NL East: Atlanta Braves (14 votes), New York Mets (8 votes), Washington Nationals (1 vote)

I lied, the NL East is just as competitive as the NL Central, The Braves are equipped with household names like Ronald Acuña Jr., Freddy Freeman, and Mike Soroka. Yet the Mets have the most significant moves during the 2020-21 offseason. Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco join a team anchored by Pete Alonso, Jacob deGrom, and Noah Syndergaard.

While these two teams saw eye and eye on paper, let’s not forget the dump that the Mets experienced in 2020. The Braves won the NL East with a record of 35-25. New York finished at the bottom of the division with a 26-34 record.

Both teams have a strong case at the top of their rotations. Even though Noah Syndergaard is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, Trever Bauer will complete Jacob deGrom as one of the top one-two punches across the league. On the other side, Max Fried and Ian Anderson aren’t bad either, especially once ace Mike Soroka returns from the Injured List.

Even though the Mets have the pitching edge, a lineup of young stars and seasoned players in Atlanta will rise up and take the division.

Wild Card Teams: San Diego Padres (22 votes), New York Mets (11 votes), Atlanta Braves (7 votes), Philadelphia Phillies (2 votes), Washington Nationals (1 vote), Cincinnati Reds (1 vote), Chicago Cubs (1 vote)

It’s safe to say that the Wild Card picks were a goose chase for the Twins Daily staff. Fernando Tatis Jr., and Manny Machado alongside the newlyweds of Yu Darvish and Blake Snell are sure to find a way into the playoffs.

Yet it’s teams like the Reds and Phillies that make us wonder. Could the power of Joey Votto and the fire of Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo push them through? Would Bryce Harper, Didi Gregorious, and J.T. Realmuto be enough thanks to a lackluster Philly rotation?

No.

While the Padres are slightly pinched from an NL West crown by the Dodgers the San Diego crew easily racks up 90 wins to make the playoffs. And while the Braves nip the Mets by a game and a half, the up-and-coming New Yorkers also make the postseason easily with 90 games.

It’s a tough year to be a “good, but not a great team.” The National League is as loaded as ever and the top dogs will prevail.

NL Champions: Los Angeles Dodgers (16), San Diego Padres (3), Atlanta Braves (2), New York Mets (2)

While four teams received votes, there’s one clear winner. Dave Roberts and his crew are destined to repeat as NL Champions in 2021. The club’s fielding stayed, offense stayed, and pitching increased more than any team in the league. What more do you need?

Agree? Disagree? Be sure to drop your thoughts below!

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