Authority Athletics now turns its attention to the National League. If you would like to read our American League predictions for the 2024 season, they are available below:
AL West / AL East / AL Central
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The NL West is the most competitive division in the National League. 4 out of the 5 teams should be in contention for the postseason. Let’s break down and preview the teams as we head into the regular season.
Colorado Rockies
The Rockies remind me of my beloved Seattle Mariners. I root for them every year, but every year I seem to be disappointed. This year expectations are low! The Rockies are in full rebuild mode and instead of the postseason will be in contention for the worst team in baseball. Nothing against Kris Bryant, but if he is your best player, your team is in trouble. The one player I’m looking forward to hopefully watching is top prospect Zac Veen who will hopefully make his debut at some point this season. I would be absolutely shocked if the Rockies did not place last in the division.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The real question is…Can the Diamondbacks repeat their performance from last season? The club shocked many by not only knocking out the Dodgers but reaching the World Series. The club is led by Corbin Carroll who should build upon his rookie campaign. The Dbacks upgraded their roster with the addition of Eugenio Suarez who should provide some pop in the middle of the lineup. The rotation is strong but there are still some question marks with the offense. With a lack of runs, I don’t think they will be able to live up to the now high expectations and will finish 4th in the division.
San Francisco Giants
I liked what the Giants did this off season. Jorge Soler adds much needed power to the lineup. I’m curious to see how Jung Hoo Lee will play after coming over from South Korea. Lee won Rookie of the Year, Gold Gloves, and an MVP while playing for the Kiwoom Heroes in the KBO. Don’t forget the Giants just added Cy Young winner Blake Snell to their roster as well. The Giants will be good this year but I’m picking them to finish 3rd in the division.
San Diego Padres
The Padres are a solid club led by future hall of famer Manny Machado. In addition to Machado, I believe Fernando Tatis Jr. has the talent to be in MVP consideration. Xander Bogaerts had a disappointing 1st season with the Padres last year, but I believe he has a bounce back year. The starting rotation is also a strength of the club led by Dylan Cease and Yu Darvish. There are no major weaknesses with the Padres which is why I’m picking them to finish 2nd in the division.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On paper, the Dodgers are the best team in baseball. The addition of Shohei Ohtani was obviously a massive addition and I believe he wins a third MVP this season. Ohtani is sandwiched in the lineup by fellow superstars Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. We haven’t even discussed the starting rotation which is as good as it gets in baseball. Yoshinobu Yamamoto recieved $325 million dollars before even throwing a pitch in the majors. With the talent around him, he should amass plenty of wins. The rotation is rounded out with another new addition in Tyler Glasnow, ole reliable Walker Buehler, and future hall of famer Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers should win the division and compete for a World Series.
Who do you think will win the NL West? Comment below!
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