As we now have a space for Baseball (Thanks, Surge), I think it's time to discuss the Pretenders and the Contenders. Today I'll be covering the NL side of things. Tomorrow I'll do the AL

𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴:

Brewers: I know they are technically the best team in baseball. I just don't see what changed between this year and last year. Freddy has been amazing this season, and if not for Skenes, he would be my NL Cy Young pick. Churrio has also taken a step back, and he was one of the main components on how the Mets were 2 outs away from losing in the wild card, if not for PETE ALONSO saving Queens, New York.

Cubs: This one is a little more complicated than the Brewers, in my opinion. The Cubs CAN make it to the World Series... if they were in the AL. The Bullpen is terrible, I don't trust the rotation at all, Pete Crow Armstrong went from going One on One with Ohtani for MVP to being just a platinum glove with pretty good power. Tucker also hasn't been nearly as good as he was in the first half. Plus, they lost their best arm, Steele, early. ALSO, Ryan Pressly was Horrible before getting DFA. They just have too many flaws that won't be able to get fixed by October.

𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓼:

Padres: It seems every year that the Padres are just so suited up for October, and this year's no exception. They traded their number one prospect in Leo De Vries, who I believe will be a top 5 shortstop in 5 years, just to go all in on a top 3 reliever in baseball and beat the Big Bad Blue. It makes sense as well. Tatis is amazing. Merill has slowed down, and Machado is looking like he's on the downhill. Why not go all in? Especially since the Dodgers look more vulnerable now more than ever? The question will be as it has been for the past 3 years. Will it be enough??

L.A. Dodgers: We all know why the Dodgers are here. They're the Dodgers. Just like the Yankees were back then, the Dodgers, despite winning the World Series last fall, spent over 500 million on Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Tanner Scott, Teoscar Hernandez, and every other good reliever. But one thing I love about Baseball. You can waste all the damn money you want, and still it won't be enough sometimes. And that's exactly what happened. Roki looked scared before getting injured. Snell was horrible, Tanner Scott has looked like a joke, Mookie Betts finally had a bad season, and they treated Ohtani's arm like it's the Messiah and waiting till SEPTEMBER to pitch 6 innings. It's laughable how bad the season has been for the Dodgers. But despite all this, I'm not counting them out. Neither should you.

New York Mets: Oh my Mets... It's been a crazy season for all the wrong reasons. We went from celebrating by saying OMG, to screaming in anger OMG. If you had told me that the Mets would have the most pitchers on the mound this season. I might've believed you. But if you had told me that our season would rely on NOAH MCLEAN, JONAH TONG, AND BRANDON SPROAT. I also might've believed you. After all, we are the New York Mets. But I believe that if the bullpen can just hold itself together, we'll be fine. The lineup won't be an issue in a week (if we make it course). Juan Soto, Lindor, Pete, Nimmo, Vientos. I'm not worried about the bats. It's going to come down to the pitching. And I say it works out.

Phillies: Philadelphia sports teams have one thing in common. They have the best Roster top to bottom, but they sometimes find a way to choke. This Phillies team has been knocking on the door for years now. From 2022 to now, the Phillies have been in win-now mode, and I believe this is their last chance. But they got some help this time around. They got Jhoan Duran, who has been lights out this season. Christopher Sanchez has been phenomenal. Yes, losing Zach Wheeler was a major blow, and it might cost them. But if Nick can turn it around and Bryce, Trea get it going like Schwarber has, and the bullpen doesn't choke like last year. The city of brotherly love might get another parade this year. Which will disgust me.

Hope you enjoyed reading this! Put a lot of time and research into this!