We’re just about 6 percent into the 162-game regular season in Major League Baseball, yet it’s tempting to rush on judgements based on early results, especially when examining National League clubs. Can the Pittsburgh Pirates or Atlanta Braves bounce back from their rough starts? Is the much-hyped rotation of the Arizona Diamondbacks turning out to be a disappointment? This article offers a snapshot of the league’s landscape. Keep in mind all the records and stats mentioned here are current until the Sunday gone by.
Let’s start with the Atlanta Braves (1-8). The question that’s on every Braves’ fans mind is: ‘Is their season doomed?’ With their abysmal start, the Braves find themselves dwelling firmly in the last place. If they don’t find a solution soon, they’ll find it challenging to pull themselves out of this slump, notwithstanding their gifted lineup and the anticipated comebacks of Ronald Acuna Jr. in the outfield and Spencer Strider on the mound.
Over in Miami, the Marlins (5-4) have an emerging star in Otto Lopez. The second baseman seems to be the standout performer for the Marlins so far this season, sporting a .270 batting average, two home runs and seven runs batted in. With these two homers already equalling a third of his last season’s total, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Lopez as Miami’s representative at the All-Star Game.
Let’s turn our attention to the New York Mets (6-3). Third baseman, Mark Vientos, was a major contributor to the team’s success in 2024, boasting a record of 27 home runs and 71 runs batted in. However, currently, his performance with a .118 average and eight strikeouts in 37 plate appearances makes last season’s breakout feel more like a one-time wonder.
In Philadelphia, the Phillies (7-2) might have found the deciding factor in Jesus Luzardo. The Phillies have come close but haven’t clinched a World Series title in the past three seasons. Could the integration of Luzardo, the left-handed pitcher, into their rotation be the secret sauce? Luzardo’s performance in his first two starts wearing the red pinstripes, including 1.50 ERA and seven shutout innings against the Dodgers, suggests that this might be the case.
The Washington Nationals (3-6) might not be thrilled with outfielder Dylan Crews’ performance. The 2023 first-round pick hasn’t been up to par with his top billing, hitting a paltry .236 OPS with 13 strikeouts in eight games. However, he is still only 23 years and managed to collect two hits and a stolen base against the D-backs on Sunday.
Moving to the NL West, the Arizona Diamondbacks (5-5) find their boasted rotation being intensely scrutinized. The team’s rotation has collectively recorded a 5.96 ERA, which doesn’t invoke much confidence for a squad that was lauded as one of the stronger components in the challenging NL West.
The Colorado Rockies (2-7) might see an All-Star in shortstop Ezequiel Tovar. Despite beginning with a 0-for-12 slump, he has managed 8 hits in his last 15 appearances, including a remarkable four-hit game on Sunday. His knack for extra-base hits, demonstrated last season with his second-place NL finish of 75, continues to shine through this season.
Considering the Los Angeles Dodgers (9-2), they might have uncovered their Achilles’ heel. After recording 1-2 in the Philadelphia series, could this signal problems ahead if the Dodgers meet the Phillies in the postseason? If the Phillies’ pitching strength and lineup maintain domination, the upcoming L.A. series from September 15-17 might be pivotal if both teams are in the run for October glory.
San Diego Padres’ Xander Bogaerts (8-2) seems to have made a resounding comeback after a disappointing 2024 season riddled with health issues and an OPS+ of just 92. This season, he’s off to a strong start, reaching base safely in nine of his past ten games and pushing his on-base percentage to a robust .375, well clearing last season’s .307.
The San Francisco Giants (8-1) appear to be masters of two-out scenarios this season. A decisive two-out, ninth-inning single by Wilmer Flores led to a home victory over the Seattle Mariners recently. The Giants’ knack for scoring late in an inning is evident this season as nearly 45 percent of their runs have been scored with two outs.
Shifting to the NL Central, the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen (7-5) isn’t impressing anyone. In fact, they have already suffered two defeats due to late-game meltdowns against the Diamondbacks and the Padres, boasting a 5.18 ERA and the league’s poorest 1.85 WHIP according to Covers.
The Cincinnati Reds (3-7) seem to be encountering an offensive shortage, arguably due to the lack of significant additions in the last off-season. They have had a string of three straight 1-0 defeats – the sixth instance in MLB history and the first since the 1960 Phillies. Inside this spell, they’ve had a 35-inning scoreless streak, the longest gap in the Reds’ history since 1946.
The Milwaukee Brewers (5-5) have shown a significant turnaround since their shaky commencement. After their alarmingly bad start, losing four consecutive games, and being outscored 47-15, things looked dismal. However, since the advent of April, they’ve picked up steam, winning five of their last six games and outscoring opponents 27-17, calming initial fears.
Lastly, the St. Louis Cardinals (4-5) seem to have a potent attack this season. Despite a mediocre offense last season and no noticeable upgrades in the off-season, they’ve made a strong start to 2025. The Cardinals currently lead in batting average (.301) and on-base percentage (.389) across the majors, and rank second in slugging (.482) and OPS (.862), defying all expectations.
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