Post by boston on Jun 16, 2024 12:18:03 GMT -5
30. Tampa Bay Rays
Standings: 28
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 28 <11> = -17
I thought Tampa would finish right around .500, the rest of the league thought better, and we were all wrong. I called the roster brittle at the beginning of the season, and unfortunately for Ryan the injuries piled up quick to key SPs success was dependent on. Then, when the trades started flowing, the NL Cy Young candidate for Reid Detmers and the funky bunch trade happened, sealing Tampa’s fate to the AL East Cellar for the foreseeable future. There are some talented guys on the IL and the farm, but I see some like Kelly going by the deadline. The Rays should give the Padres a good fight for the best lottery odds.
29. San Diego Padres
Standings: 30
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 30 <19> = -11
I like San Diego’s core young pieces like Gorman and Volpe along with a fantastic farm, but after devastating injuries (RIP Eury), San Diego has struggled to score much or often and sits in the league’s cellar. I expect more sales to be made by the Friars prior to the deadline, which should firmly keep them at the bottom of the National League this year. This is a team in full rebuild, but I think they can turn the corner next year if even just some of the better prospects work out.
28. Baltimore Orioles
Standings: 29
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 29 <29>= 0
Baltimore is about exactly as bad as everyone thought, but they have great core offensive and pitching pieces (especially after the post-TJ Strider trade). The minor leagues are good, and Baltimore holds the 3.0 first round infinity gauntlet. There really isn’t much for me to say other than this looks like a very solid rebuild in progress.
27. Chicago White Sox
Standings: 27
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 27 <13> = -14
This looked like an at least decent team on paper at the beginning of the year to everyone, but the offense turned out to just be pretty bad for a pretty long time to start off the season. Key injuries and trading JRam and JV have squarely placed this team out of contention in a stacked American League this year. Losing Ramirez hurts real bad, but Walker Jenkins looks the part, and Mason Miller should be traded to a real franchise and converted into a SP before he blows his arm out again. There are still very good MLB players on this roster, and this team has put up some big numbers on the scoreboard. This year might be lost, but with some adjustments I think they’ll be just fine long term.
26. Kansas City Royals
Standings: 26
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 26 <16> = -10
Another AL Central case of not hitting on the draft, KC got off to a decent start but then started fading hard down the standings, and at this point that hill in the AL Central is probably insurmountable with Detroit and Cleveland duking it out. I still like this offense but key pieces haven’t worked out and SP injuries have also kept this team from competing. Assuming the Royals sell guys like Nola and get decent returns, there is enough talent on this roster to be in it next year.
25. Colorado Rockies
Standings: 25
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 25 <30> = +5
Pretty much everyone picked the Ohtani and specs team to finish dead last, but they might be a contender for biggest surprise in the league after coming out of the gate relatively strong. Colorado has not been terrible at any point this season, thanks to some of the young guys like Busch and Jones proving they’re legit, and some nice surprises like Winker. Even with injuries and guys in and out of MLB, they should finish right around where they’re at now in the standings and probably start to pop off next year.
24. Montreal Expos
Standings: 24
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 24 <28> = +4
The Expos are performing a bit better than what most thought they would, but got hit by injuries to guys who really needed to perform like Jung and Gavin Williams. There are nice MLB pieces and prospects here but many holes to fill on what is currently just not a very good offense. I can see the Expos picking up more wins in the second half but I think they are squarely out of it this year.
23. Pittsburgh Pirates
Standings: 22
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 22 <22> = 0
Looks like everyone was just about on the money on predicting this team’s success. This is a very young, dynasty oriented roster with great young players like Langford and Skenes who will only get better with time. This year, there have been key injuries and serious roster holes which have prevented them from more W’s (the pitching staff is crazy with Imanaga also rostered), but they should get better as soon as next year, I think.
22. Milwaukee Brewers
Standings: 21
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 21 <24> = +3
The Brew Crew are just about what everybody expected them to be, and have outperformed expectations slightly and they’re often more competitive than the record might suggest. It’s a cheap young team which is set up just fine for future success. Carroll is having a down year but assuming they stay the course with the roster and solid MiLB system, Milwaukee will be looking better in the near future.
21. San Francisco Giants
Standings: 20
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 20 <2> = -18
The Giants are a worthy challenger for league’s most disappointing team this year, as many gassed them up and chose them to win it all, and they now sit just a game over .500 and 11 games out in the NL West. Julio’s very slow start and tons of injuries to SP has placed this team far back in the playoff picture, although trades and a second half resurgence could both happen. I don’t think it will though, or if it does Arizona and Brooklyn are too good this year to get past.
20. Seattle Mariners
Standings: 23
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 24 <18> = -6
Seattle has been getting absolutely dunked on this year, which has held them back a bit in the standings. This team is all pitching as the rotation has been great with more to come, but the offense has been bad, just as I thought after the draft. This is a team that could potentially have a playoff shot in other divisions this year barring SP injuries, but not in a very surprisingly stacked AL West.
19. Atlanta Braves
Standings: 19
Midseason Standings vs. <League Projection>: 19 <10> = -9
I really thought Atlanta would be a serious contender, and so did most, but they are currently the fourth of four teams in the mix for a division title in a wide open NL East. There are holes on what is not a bad offense, and injuries to what is a pretty good rotation, but right now they look to me like they’re on the outside looking in going down the stretch.
18. New York Yankees
Standings: 18
Midseason Standings vs. <League Projection>: 18 <23> = +5
The Bombers have surprised most with a solid young offense buoyed by Bobby Franchise and a rotation led by real life Yankees breakout Luis Gil. Even with some injuries they are still in it in a weaker than expected AL East, and if they catch fire again they can definitely contend down the stretch. This is a borderline playoff team to me but more so on the outside looking in.
17. New York Mets
Standings: 17
Midseason Standings vs. <League Projection>: 17 <25> = +8
This was a team I was a lot higher on than most and they have landed more or less in the middle of that range, and are still firmly in contention in the NL East. I didn’t understand the Elly trade but I don’t have to, as Mark ended up getting the more consistent JRam at 3B. Robert is coming back, but the pitching corps hasn’t been very good, so this is a hard team to project, but I think they stay in the mix for a playoff berth.
16. Houston Astros
Standings: 16
Midseason Standings vs. <League Projection>: 16 <15> = -1
Houston is a good team, doing better than I personally thought they would (led by Betts and a very good offense). They just aren’t as good as the Rangers and Angels have been in the league’s best division. I can see trades being made at the deadline and a good run happening to get them firmly in the playoff mix, but for now I have them on the outside looking in.
15. Minnesota Twins
Standings: 14
Midseason Standings vs. <League Projection>: 16 <21> = +5
The Twins have surprised most with their current place in the standings. This is a roster which can win any game at any time and puts up crooked numbers in bunches. Tatis has emerged into the beginning of his prime and career years from guys like Seth Lugo are keeping them in the playoff conversation. Don’t be surprised to see the Twins competing late in the season for a wild card spot.
14. Oakland Athletics
Standings: 9
Midseason Standings vs. <League Projection>: 14 <27> = +13
One of this year’s most surprising teams, Oakland has stormed into playoff contention this season by fielding a very deep offense, along with a pitching staff led by standouts K Gibson and Lodolo. There is enough talent on the MLB roster to seriously contend for a wild card spot in the AL, and I think they
13. Brooklyn Dodgers
Standings: 10
Midseason Standings vs.< League Projection>: 10 <26> = +16
Brooklyn is doing his best to back up getting butthurt with early season predictions by being in serious contention at the midway point. The offense, led by Yordan, has been very good, and there is enough meat and potatoes on the pitching staff to get through injuries. Brooklyn is almost certainly a lock to make the playoffs.
12. Boston Red Sox
Standings: 8
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 8 <17> = +11
Boston is another team which has beaten the league’s expectations, mostly thanks to an MVP-caliber showing from Kyle Tucker leading a deep offense, along with some unexpected contributions from typically bad SPs. The Sox consistently put points on the board, and if healthy should duke it out with the Jays for the AL East championship down the stretch.
11. Miami Marlins
Standings: 13
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 13 <4> = -9
The Marlins have underperformed most peoples’ expectations and I suspect that’s because it’s a win-now roster heavily reliant on older guys who haven’t been lights out, and SPs that have underwhelmed or been hurt. But they are still right in the thick of it in the NL East race, and this is still a great MLB roster. I think they are a lock for the playoffs.
10. Toronto Blue Jays
Standings: 7
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 7 <1> = -6
Toronto, similar to Miami, is a high cap team which has also merely been a winner instead of elite. The offense has not been particularly good and overall I think they are reliant on their deep rotation, but losing Strider hurt. The Jays are currently hot, and they’re a win-now team with a quality MLB roster which should certainly either win the AL East or get a Wild Card spot.
9. Philadelphia Phillies
Standings: 12
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 12 <12> = 0
As the Phillies just handed me my first sweep of the season, I can attest that this is a roster which can win any game at any time. The rotation is crazy, and bats like India and Arozarena mean this team can be very, very good if they start hitting at their full potential again. I think Philly is a serious contender in the NL.
8. Cincinnati Reds
Standings: 15
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 15 <5> = -10
The Reds are a very good team that haven’t done quite as well as everyone expected. On top of that, they’ve gotten shellacked this year and are in a competitive NL Central. However, this is another classic win-now roster and the owner likes to trade, so watch for some deadline moves. The Reds are better than the standings reflect and I still think they’re a playoff team that’s better than some of the paper tigers in the National League.
7. Cleveland Guardians
Standings: 11
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 11 <9> = -2
Cleveland looked like a team just on the outside of the playoff hunt until the owner made several significant moves during the trade extravaganza a few weeks ago. At minimal expense, Cleveland now has one of the best MLB rosters in the league. More W’s should come in due time and I expect the Tigers and Guards to have a high-W’s battle for the division crown.
6. Arizona Diamondbacks
Standings: 5
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 5 <6> = +1
Arizona has been just about as good as everyone expected, cooling off a bit after a crazy hot start. This is a roster which should get better once Cole gets back. There isn’t much to say, I think they’re an easy lock for the playoffs, if not a division championship.
5. Chicago Cubs
Standings: 4
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 4 <3> = -1
This is another team, similar to the D’Backs, which has consistently won games all season long, and with the heater they’ve been on lately, I don’t expect that to change. With a productive if not boring offense, and one of the league’s best pitching corps, this is a playoff lock and they should challenge a great StL team to the end of the season.
4. Detroit Tigers
Standings: 6
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 6 <14> = +8
The Tigers have been very good since the beginning of the season, and despite a recent skid I don’t think this is a team we’ll see collapse. There are a few holes in the roster, but this is a team with a very good pitching staff and offense that has shown it can score a ton of points and win games. They are a for sure contender in the AL.
3. Texas Rangers
Standings: 1
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 1 <20> = +20
The Rangers are this year’s most surprisingly successful team, as they currently top the league in wins and have been hot all year long. This is a roster which doesn’t have many stars on a tight budget, but tons and tons of good real life players, and the manager has clearly figured out how to win with that recipe (despite the ill-advised but well-timed Strider trade). I’m not convinced they have enough star or fire power to keep up with the Angels, but this team is a playoff lock.
2. Anaheim Angels
Standings: 2
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 2 <7> = +5
The Halos currently pace the junior circuit in PF and have been dominant all year long. Their offense has been much better than I expected, with a bunch of solid MLB hitters like Reynolds, which has helped out one of the league’s best pitching staffs. This is the team to beat in the AL right now.
1. St. Louis Cardinals
Standings: 1
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 1 <8> = +7
No need to veiled brag anymore, because the Cardinals lead the league in PF and are performing right where I thought they would (I projected them to win the NL pennant). This is one of the league’s best deep offenses, even with Holliday sucking, and there is enough quality and meat and bones on the pitching staff to help consistently put points on the board. This is the team to beat in the NL right now.
Standings: 28
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 28 <11> = -17
I thought Tampa would finish right around .500, the rest of the league thought better, and we were all wrong. I called the roster brittle at the beginning of the season, and unfortunately for Ryan the injuries piled up quick to key SPs success was dependent on. Then, when the trades started flowing, the NL Cy Young candidate for Reid Detmers and the funky bunch trade happened, sealing Tampa’s fate to the AL East Cellar for the foreseeable future. There are some talented guys on the IL and the farm, but I see some like Kelly going by the deadline. The Rays should give the Padres a good fight for the best lottery odds.
29. San Diego Padres
Standings: 30
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 30 <19> = -11
I like San Diego’s core young pieces like Gorman and Volpe along with a fantastic farm, but after devastating injuries (RIP Eury), San Diego has struggled to score much or often and sits in the league’s cellar. I expect more sales to be made by the Friars prior to the deadline, which should firmly keep them at the bottom of the National League this year. This is a team in full rebuild, but I think they can turn the corner next year if even just some of the better prospects work out.
28. Baltimore Orioles
Standings: 29
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 29 <29>= 0
Baltimore is about exactly as bad as everyone thought, but they have great core offensive and pitching pieces (especially after the post-TJ Strider trade). The minor leagues are good, and Baltimore holds the 3.0 first round infinity gauntlet. There really isn’t much for me to say other than this looks like a very solid rebuild in progress.
27. Chicago White Sox
Standings: 27
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 27 <13> = -14
This looked like an at least decent team on paper at the beginning of the year to everyone, but the offense turned out to just be pretty bad for a pretty long time to start off the season. Key injuries and trading JRam and JV have squarely placed this team out of contention in a stacked American League this year. Losing Ramirez hurts real bad, but Walker Jenkins looks the part, and Mason Miller should be traded to a real franchise and converted into a SP before he blows his arm out again. There are still very good MLB players on this roster, and this team has put up some big numbers on the scoreboard. This year might be lost, but with some adjustments I think they’ll be just fine long term.
26. Kansas City Royals
Standings: 26
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 26 <16> = -10
Another AL Central case of not hitting on the draft, KC got off to a decent start but then started fading hard down the standings, and at this point that hill in the AL Central is probably insurmountable with Detroit and Cleveland duking it out. I still like this offense but key pieces haven’t worked out and SP injuries have also kept this team from competing. Assuming the Royals sell guys like Nola and get decent returns, there is enough talent on this roster to be in it next year.
25. Colorado Rockies
Standings: 25
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 25 <30> = +5
Pretty much everyone picked the Ohtani and specs team to finish dead last, but they might be a contender for biggest surprise in the league after coming out of the gate relatively strong. Colorado has not been terrible at any point this season, thanks to some of the young guys like Busch and Jones proving they’re legit, and some nice surprises like Winker. Even with injuries and guys in and out of MLB, they should finish right around where they’re at now in the standings and probably start to pop off next year.
24. Montreal Expos
Standings: 24
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 24 <28> = +4
The Expos are performing a bit better than what most thought they would, but got hit by injuries to guys who really needed to perform like Jung and Gavin Williams. There are nice MLB pieces and prospects here but many holes to fill on what is currently just not a very good offense. I can see the Expos picking up more wins in the second half but I think they are squarely out of it this year.
23. Pittsburgh Pirates
Standings: 22
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 22 <22> = 0
Looks like everyone was just about on the money on predicting this team’s success. This is a very young, dynasty oriented roster with great young players like Langford and Skenes who will only get better with time. This year, there have been key injuries and serious roster holes which have prevented them from more W’s (the pitching staff is crazy with Imanaga also rostered), but they should get better as soon as next year, I think.
22. Milwaukee Brewers
Standings: 21
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 21 <24> = +3
The Brew Crew are just about what everybody expected them to be, and have outperformed expectations slightly and they’re often more competitive than the record might suggest. It’s a cheap young team which is set up just fine for future success. Carroll is having a down year but assuming they stay the course with the roster and solid MiLB system, Milwaukee will be looking better in the near future.
21. San Francisco Giants
Standings: 20
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 20 <2> = -18
The Giants are a worthy challenger for league’s most disappointing team this year, as many gassed them up and chose them to win it all, and they now sit just a game over .500 and 11 games out in the NL West. Julio’s very slow start and tons of injuries to SP has placed this team far back in the playoff picture, although trades and a second half resurgence could both happen. I don’t think it will though, or if it does Arizona and Brooklyn are too good this year to get past.
20. Seattle Mariners
Standings: 23
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 24 <18> = -6
Seattle has been getting absolutely dunked on this year, which has held them back a bit in the standings. This team is all pitching as the rotation has been great with more to come, but the offense has been bad, just as I thought after the draft. This is a team that could potentially have a playoff shot in other divisions this year barring SP injuries, but not in a very surprisingly stacked AL West.
19. Atlanta Braves
Standings: 19
Midseason Standings vs. <League Projection>: 19 <10> = -9
I really thought Atlanta would be a serious contender, and so did most, but they are currently the fourth of four teams in the mix for a division title in a wide open NL East. There are holes on what is not a bad offense, and injuries to what is a pretty good rotation, but right now they look to me like they’re on the outside looking in going down the stretch.
18. New York Yankees
Standings: 18
Midseason Standings vs. <League Projection>: 18 <23> = +5
The Bombers have surprised most with a solid young offense buoyed by Bobby Franchise and a rotation led by real life Yankees breakout Luis Gil. Even with some injuries they are still in it in a weaker than expected AL East, and if they catch fire again they can definitely contend down the stretch. This is a borderline playoff team to me but more so on the outside looking in.
17. New York Mets
Standings: 17
Midseason Standings vs. <League Projection>: 17 <25> = +8
This was a team I was a lot higher on than most and they have landed more or less in the middle of that range, and are still firmly in contention in the NL East. I didn’t understand the Elly trade but I don’t have to, as Mark ended up getting the more consistent JRam at 3B. Robert is coming back, but the pitching corps hasn’t been very good, so this is a hard team to project, but I think they stay in the mix for a playoff berth.
16. Houston Astros
Standings: 16
Midseason Standings vs. <League Projection>: 16 <15> = -1
Houston is a good team, doing better than I personally thought they would (led by Betts and a very good offense). They just aren’t as good as the Rangers and Angels have been in the league’s best division. I can see trades being made at the deadline and a good run happening to get them firmly in the playoff mix, but for now I have them on the outside looking in.
15. Minnesota Twins
Standings: 14
Midseason Standings vs. <League Projection>: 16 <21> = +5
The Twins have surprised most with their current place in the standings. This is a roster which can win any game at any time and puts up crooked numbers in bunches. Tatis has emerged into the beginning of his prime and career years from guys like Seth Lugo are keeping them in the playoff conversation. Don’t be surprised to see the Twins competing late in the season for a wild card spot.
14. Oakland Athletics
Standings: 9
Midseason Standings vs. <League Projection>: 14 <27> = +13
One of this year’s most surprising teams, Oakland has stormed into playoff contention this season by fielding a very deep offense, along with a pitching staff led by standouts K Gibson and Lodolo. There is enough talent on the MLB roster to seriously contend for a wild card spot in the AL, and I think they
13. Brooklyn Dodgers
Standings: 10
Midseason Standings vs.< League Projection>: 10 <26> = +16
Brooklyn is doing his best to back up getting butthurt with early season predictions by being in serious contention at the midway point. The offense, led by Yordan, has been very good, and there is enough meat and potatoes on the pitching staff to get through injuries. Brooklyn is almost certainly a lock to make the playoffs.
12. Boston Red Sox
Standings: 8
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 8 <17> = +11
Boston is another team which has beaten the league’s expectations, mostly thanks to an MVP-caliber showing from Kyle Tucker leading a deep offense, along with some unexpected contributions from typically bad SPs. The Sox consistently put points on the board, and if healthy should duke it out with the Jays for the AL East championship down the stretch.
11. Miami Marlins
Standings: 13
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 13 <4> = -9
The Marlins have underperformed most peoples’ expectations and I suspect that’s because it’s a win-now roster heavily reliant on older guys who haven’t been lights out, and SPs that have underwhelmed or been hurt. But they are still right in the thick of it in the NL East race, and this is still a great MLB roster. I think they are a lock for the playoffs.
10. Toronto Blue Jays
Standings: 7
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 7 <1> = -6
Toronto, similar to Miami, is a high cap team which has also merely been a winner instead of elite. The offense has not been particularly good and overall I think they are reliant on their deep rotation, but losing Strider hurt. The Jays are currently hot, and they’re a win-now team with a quality MLB roster which should certainly either win the AL East or get a Wild Card spot.
9. Philadelphia Phillies
Standings: 12
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 12 <12> = 0
As the Phillies just handed me my first sweep of the season, I can attest that this is a roster which can win any game at any time. The rotation is crazy, and bats like India and Arozarena mean this team can be very, very good if they start hitting at their full potential again. I think Philly is a serious contender in the NL.
8. Cincinnati Reds
Standings: 15
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 15 <5> = -10
The Reds are a very good team that haven’t done quite as well as everyone expected. On top of that, they’ve gotten shellacked this year and are in a competitive NL Central. However, this is another classic win-now roster and the owner likes to trade, so watch for some deadline moves. The Reds are better than the standings reflect and I still think they’re a playoff team that’s better than some of the paper tigers in the National League.
7. Cleveland Guardians
Standings: 11
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 11 <9> = -2
Cleveland looked like a team just on the outside of the playoff hunt until the owner made several significant moves during the trade extravaganza a few weeks ago. At minimal expense, Cleveland now has one of the best MLB rosters in the league. More W’s should come in due time and I expect the Tigers and Guards to have a high-W’s battle for the division crown.
6. Arizona Diamondbacks
Standings: 5
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 5 <6> = +1
Arizona has been just about as good as everyone expected, cooling off a bit after a crazy hot start. This is a roster which should get better once Cole gets back. There isn’t much to say, I think they’re an easy lock for the playoffs, if not a division championship.
5. Chicago Cubs
Standings: 4
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 4 <3> = -1
This is another team, similar to the D’Backs, which has consistently won games all season long, and with the heater they’ve been on lately, I don’t expect that to change. With a productive if not boring offense, and one of the league’s best pitching corps, this is a playoff lock and they should challenge a great StL team to the end of the season.
4. Detroit Tigers
Standings: 6
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 6 <14> = +8
The Tigers have been very good since the beginning of the season, and despite a recent skid I don’t think this is a team we’ll see collapse. There are a few holes in the roster, but this is a team with a very good pitching staff and offense that has shown it can score a ton of points and win games. They are a for sure contender in the AL.
3. Texas Rangers
Standings: 1
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 1 <20> = +20
The Rangers are this year’s most surprisingly successful team, as they currently top the league in wins and have been hot all year long. This is a roster which doesn’t have many stars on a tight budget, but tons and tons of good real life players, and the manager has clearly figured out how to win with that recipe (despite the ill-advised but well-timed Strider trade). I’m not convinced they have enough star or fire power to keep up with the Angels, but this team is a playoff lock.
2. Anaheim Angels
Standings: 2
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 2 <7> = +5
The Halos currently pace the junior circuit in PF and have been dominant all year long. Their offense has been much better than I expected, with a bunch of solid MLB hitters like Reynolds, which has helped out one of the league’s best pitching staffs. This is the team to beat in the AL right now.
1. St. Louis Cardinals
Standings: 1
Midseason Standing vs. <League Projection>: 1 <8> = +7
No need to veiled brag anymore, because the Cardinals lead the league in PF and are performing right where I thought they would (I projected them to win the NL pennant). This is one of the league’s best deep offenses, even with Holliday sucking, and there is enough quality and meat and bones on the pitching staff to help consistently put points on the board. This is the team to beat in the NL right now.