2018 MLB Team Previews: National League (Part 2)
Here is the continuation of our MLB, National League team by team previews, to see the first edition, click here.
All win total predictions will be based on Bovada.com projections: URL-https://sports.bovada.lv/baseball/MLB-season-props
Miami Marlins 64.5/ Pick-under
Clearly the Marlins are committed to the rebuild. The entire outfield has been shipped off. Gone are three all-star outfielders who have been very productive, especially last season. Marcel Ozuna, Christian Yellich and Giancarlo Stanton will be missed dearly. They are now left with a group that is simply less talented, Derek Dietrich, Lewis Brinson and Cameron Maybin will attempt to fill the void. Across the diamond the Marlins are giving almost anyone and anybody a chance to prove themselves, this could be an undertaking that takes three or more years to even reach respectability.
Milwaukee Brewers 84.5/ Pick-over
Milwaukee, much like the Minnesota Twins are committed to the “win now” approach. All around the diamond, the brewers will have lots of depth to rely on. The N.L. Central will be very fun to watch this season, expect the Brew Crew and Cardinals to fight it out for a wild-card spot. Both teams lineups are very good, it may come down to pitching, if the Brewers remain in the hunt towards the later part of the season, an acquisition to bolster the pitching staff will enhance their chances to reach the postseason.
New York Mets 81/ Pick-over
Let’s be optimistic for the Mets this season. Yes,Samardzija there are some red flags with how the organization has dealt with injuries in the past. A new manager (Mikey Callaway) may just be what the Metropolitans need. The rotation is second to none talent wise. A healthy pitching staff will absolutely be the difference if the Mets are to succeed this season.
Philadelphia Phillies 75.5/ Pick-over
This win total could be the most difficult to figure out. No question the roster has been improved, with the emergence of young talents Rhys Hoskins and Aaron Nola. It was
pretty grim for this organization up until last year, now it appears that things are coming together nicely, so much so that management has brought in more veteran presences such as first baseman Carlos Santana, and more recently perennial all-star pitcher, Jake Arietta. Not quite a playoff team yet, but win total close to 80 is very likely.
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 Pittsburgh Pirates 73/ Pick-over
Geritt Cole and Andrew McCutchen have left much to the dismay of the Pirate faithful. Corey Dickerson is a comparable replacement for the all-star outfielder. He offers perhaps more power, but McCutchen was such an integral part of Pittsburgh’s success on and off the field. Cole’s successor will be Joe Musgrove who was brought over from the Astros. He will join Jameson Taillon and depending if he can earn a spot, Tyler Glasnow in the rotation. Go barely over on this one.
San Diego Padres 69.5/ Pick-under
Eric Hosmer will bring his talent and playoff experience to beautiful sunny San Diego. The forecast for the Padres, however, may not be as nice. If the Padres are to even get to 75 wins this season they will have to play above expectations. Across the diamond is mostly an inexperienced group.
San Francisco Giants 81.5/ Pick-over
Just recently news came out that starting pitcher Samardzija will miss some time with a strained right pectoral muscle. No word has been given on how long he will be out. The Giants will have to fill the void within the organization rather than acquire through free-agency or trades. This is unfortunate for the Giants, they can not afford loses to any of the starting positions all the way through the roster. Having said this, the Giants have made a many significant moves in the offseason(outfielder, Andrew McCutchen, third baseman Evan Longoria). Let’s just hope they aren’t past there primes.
St.Louis Cardinals 85.5/ Pick-under
Marcel Ozuna was the big acquisition for this historic franchise. A monster year was had last season for the former Marlins slugger. He joins a very good outfield group that includes centerfielder, Tommy Pham, and right fielder, Dexter Fowler. Around the infield the Cards should be adequate, where in lies some concern is with the starting rotation. After the ace of the staff, Carlos Martinez, it gets fairly thin in talent. Michael Wacha has never really regained the form of years past when he was a dominant force in the postseason. Adam Wainright has been on a steady decline since 2014, ERA’s well out of his norm, over 4.00 in 2016, 2017. Miles Mikolas, Luke Weaver, and later on after recovering from Tommy John surgery, Alex Reyes will all have to step up. This is still a very good team, just under the total here.
Washington Nationals 92.5/ Pick-over
Is there any team better in the majors as far as #1 and #2 starters are concerned? Max Scherzer and Steven Strasburg are elite there is no question in that. While these two are dominant, number three through five starters are less of a certainty. Gio Gonzalez had his second best season as a pro with an era under three. He is arguably 
the best of the remaining trio that make up the rotation. The Nationals have high hopes for 24-year-old Joe Ross, he will be on the 60 day d.l. after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Instead, A.J. Cole and Tanner Roark will be looked upon to shore up the rotation. A full season of shortstop Trea Turner could be the jolt this team needs to keep pace with N.L. powerhouses such as the L.A. Dodgers.
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We take a look at the American League next in the team by team MLB previews. Enjoy the weekend
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