2023 Mets Season Outlook and National League Predictions

The 2023 season is ready to go, and the Mets are missing Edwin Diaz. Can David Robertson be the closer? Can he hold on until the trade deadline, and maybe they can fortify the bullpen? Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Kodai Senga are the best 1-2-3 starting pitching combination in the game. David Peterson will blossom now that he’s won a spot on the staff. Pitching isn’t the Mets’ problem. The bullpen has just enough to survive until the trade deadline, but at that time Mets GM Billy Eppler needs to be more effective than last year.

Mets Power and Speed Are in Question

The top four of the Mets’ starting lineup are really good. Brandon Nimmo, Starling Marte, Francisco Lindor, and Pete Alonso. Jeff McNeil is next, and then it goes down quickly. Mark Canha, Daniel Vogelbach, Eduardo Escobar and Omar Narvaez. Considering how last season went, Eppler didn’t really do much to address the offense. He replaced the missing pitching, but having a defensive catcher hitting last was the biggest fail. The DH position is still a work in progress in year two, and that’s a mess too. The Mets need to steal more, Marte will do that, and McNeil never gets thrown out, so maybe he goes more. Nimmo has to steal more, but he only had three last year, and he was caught twice. The hope is Lindor can double his steal totals, and that might be enough.

The Braves Will Win the East Again

The Atlanta Braves will win the East. Even though Raisel Iglesias has an inflamed shoulder and might miss a month, they lost Dansby Swanson, and Ozzie Albies is healthy as well. They added Sean Murphy as the full-time catcher, and now Travis d’Arnaud can DH and catch. Ronald Acuna is 100% healthy too. The Braves locked up their young talent, and Matt Olson, who is still only 29, the Braves know how to stay competitive without breaking the bank.

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The Cardinals Will Win The Central By Default

Adam Wainwright is out with a groin injury, but I don’t think he’ll miss more than a few starts. Steven Matz can have a big year, I’m expecting that. Adding catcher, Willson Contreras to go along with studs, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. If Tyler O’Neill bounces back, the Cardinals could go far in the playoffs but let’s see how this all gels. This is the easiest division to win in baseball.

The Dodgers Are Still The Best in the West

I think the Los Angeles Dodgers will win the West. They had 111 wins last season, and I can see a similar result this year. They’re relying more on youth, but they always have one of the best farm systems, and no team has had more rookie of the year winners, I wrote a book about it. Clayton Kershaw is healthy, and Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts will run the offense.