NL West Talk

[msgkings322]

Are all 4 of these teams (LA, AZ, SD, SF) actually good? It can't happen because they play each other so much but imagine 3 wild cards from the NLW lol

 

[bksballer89]

Are all 4 of these teams (LA, AZ, SD, SF) actually good? It can't happen because they play each other so much but imagine 3 wild cards from the NLW lol

Why can’t it happen?

 

[msgkings322]

Why can’t it happen?

They will beat each other up so teams in worse divisions will get a wild card

 

[bksballer89]

It 2021 the AL East had a team with 100 wins, 2 with 92, and 1 with 91. Under the new rules all 4 would have made the playoffs

Also this was back when division opponents played each other 19x and now it’s down to 14x. In other words if it doesn’t happen it will be due to 1 of them not being good enough/ a team from the east being really good

 

[bksballer89]

Central isn’t that good so that feels like a 1 playoffs team division. NL East may have something to say about it with the Phils, Mets, and possibly braves if they realize the season is underway

 

[navamind]

Central isn’t that good so that feels like a 1 playoffs team division. NL East may have something to say about it with the Phils, Mets, and possibly braves if they realize the season is underway

You figure the Braves will turn things around, but starting the season 8 games under .500 certainly adds some pressure. Gotta go 85-59 to win 90 games. Could they play .590 ball from here on out? Certainly wouldn't put it past them, but it won't be easy in that division. It's just wild how much that offense has fallen off from 2023. To think they scored 947 runs with a 126 OPS+ that year. I expect the bats to rebound, but I do expect the pitching to regress from 2024 though at least they have Strider back now. Sale was awesome, but I do think he was a bit fortunate with the long ball in 2024 and expect that to correct (but I don't think there's anything to worry about his rough start). I expect him to be very good this year. I do think they unlocked something with Lopez, but I just can't see him duplicating a 1.99 ERA again.

 

[calsnowskier]

Are all 4 of these teams (LA, AZ, SD, SF) actually good? It can't happen because they play each other so much but imagine 3 wild cards from the NLW lol

Actually, the MLB has a balanced schedule now. No in-division concentration in the schedule any more.

 

[msgkings322]

Actually, the MLB has a balanced schedule now. No in-division concentration in the schedule any more.

No you still play each team in your division 13 times. It used to be 19 but that’s still a lot more than the other teams. 6 or 7 vs other NL teams and 3 usually vs each AL team.

Giants are gonna have to face SD LA and AZ (and of course CO) 13 times each

 

[bksballer89]

No you still play each team in your division 13 times. It used to be 19 but that’s still a lot more than the other teams. 6 or 7 vs other NL teams and 3 usually vs each AL team.

Giants are gonna have to face SD LA and AZ (and of course CO) 13 times each

It’s possible bro as long as you don’t get destroyed in those 39 games

 

[msgkings322]

It’s possible bro as long as you don’t get destroyed in those 39 games

Of course it's mathematically possible just tough when 4 good teams play each other so much

 

[bksballer89]

Of course it's mathematically possible just tough when 4 good teams play each other so much

Also requires teams to be good in the other 2 divisions. Based on what I’ve seen so far I think 4th place team in the west can possibly sneak in with 87-89 wins

 

[navamind]

not that impressed with Sasaki so far. he's been having big time control issues