Here, we will be giving our MLB predictions for the 2023 NL East standings at the end of the season. If you want to hear our more in-depth breakdown from two generations of baseball fans, listen to the attached episode of the Playing Catch-Up Podcast below for the opinions of a father-son duo.
Now, let’s get started with the bottom of the barrel.
MLB Predictions for 2023 NL East Standings
5th Place: Washington Nationals
The Nationals are in full rebuild and the on-paper favorite to be the worst team in baseball this season. To be a little less harsh, at least we’re looking to the future. Top prospects Cade Cavlli, Thaddeus Ward, Zach Bryzkcy, Israel Pineda, Jose Ferrer, Jake Alu, Gerardo Carrillo, and Drew Millas are all projected to play at least some on the major league level this season. So while the present is bleak, the Nationals at least are getting as much of their future on the field as possible this season. That said, unless these prospects blow all expectations, the Nationals are set to end another season at the bottom of this division.
4th Place: Miami Marlins
The Marlins made moves this offseason to capitalize on their surplus of top-line pitchers, but I’m not sure if it will be enough. Adding reigning AL batting champ Luis Arraez is certainly a plus to any lineup, but it came at the expense of Pablo Lopez, and added contact to a contact-heavy roster already. Same issues could be said about Jean Segura at shortstop. The fish are missing some pop outside of Jazz Chisholm, who’s also finding a new home in centerfield, highlighting the defensive insecurities in Miami as well. Sure, Sandy Alcantara and the boys are going to make a big difference on the bump, but in this division, I just can’t see them close to contention quite yet.
3rd Place: New York Mets
The loss of Edwin Diaz was the scale-tipper here for me. The Mets are still going to win damn near 90 games at least, but I’m more worried about their bullpen significantly than the other two teams at the top of this division. That, and an aging starting rotation, albeit a star-studded one, leaves me with too many question marks to put them any higher. Verlander is a welcome addition, and bringing Brandon Nimho back may be the most overlooked move of the whole offseason, but losing deGrom and Bassit has tempered my expectations for the Mets. I can’t put them any higher until they prove me wrong, unfortunately.
2nd Place: Atlanta Braves
I feel like I might be wrong here. Sure, the starting rotation is banged up to start the year, especially in Morton and Wright. And maybe losing Dansby Swanson will hurt them. But come on, you can’t count out the Braves to be series World Series contenders. A lineup with about four MVP contenders, with I think most importantly the newly arrived Sean Murphy behind the plate being the one to watch this year. He’s quietly become in contention for best catcher in the MLB, and I’m thinking the spotlight will serve him well. It’s a tight race in this division which sent three playoff teams last year, but especially while Matt Olson and Ronald Acuna Jr. are coming off mediocre years, I think one other team has a better chance at winning the East.
1st Place: Philadelphia Phillies
Call it a hangover from their postseason heroics, but an improved Phillies team has my heart currently. The bullpen could be quietly the best in baseball, and adding Trea Turner is the deal breaker for me in this already stacked lineup. I know this pick is heavily counting on Bryce Harper’s health, but I’m okay with that. People forget that Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos could both play so much better yet, and I think we could see that this year. Take away a terrible slump early last year, and they could’ve won the division already. But now, behind the stellar arms of Wheeler, Nola, and Suarez, I just think this team has too much dynamite not to explode. Perhaps not the safest pick, but I can’t shake the feeling it’s Philadelphia’s year.
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