These standings are updated as of August 15, 2024. AL Predictions will be out soon.

It’s mid August and the National League standings are getting as interesting as they ever been in recent years as teams like the Diamondbacks and the Padres trying to dethrone the stacked Dodgers, as the Diamondbacks are looking for their first NL West title since 2011 and the Padres looking for their first since 2006. Today we will break down the standings region by region, see who’s chances are the best at winning their respective divisions, and a look at the playoff picture IF the playoffs we’re to start tomorrow.

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers – 71-51

The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently top 5 in offense in Runs, OPS, Total Bases, HR so they shouldn’t have anything to worry about right? Well since the All Star Break, the Dodgers won all 3 games against the Red Sox. Split the series, 2 games each between division rival San Francisco Giants. Then taking a series loss 2-1 between the Astros. Later traveling to San Diego and getting swept in a 2 game series. Then traveled back to Los Angeles to win the series between the Athletics, 2-1. Then losing their series in Philadelphia also 2-1. More recently being able to sweep the Pirates and also splitting their series between the Brewers. Mookie Betts has finally returned from fracturing his hand after getting hit by a pitch against the Royals. Betts was impressive in his return back with going 6/15 in the series between the Brewers with 3 RBI’s and 1 home run. I don’t think the Dodgers have much to worry about as LF Teoscar Hernandez as in the past 30 days, ranks 16th in https://realsports.io/ player rankings. Ohtani who ranks 3rd in the season. Freeman 23rd in the season, and Mookie Betts who despite not playing since June, ranks 98th this season and then with strong starting pitchers like Tyler Glasnow, Gavin Lux and Jack Flaherty, the Dodgers i personally think will tie it all together, because all those guys want one thing in common, and that’s a ring again, and to stop all the allegations that they can’t win in October. Look out for the Dodgers to be strong come October, especially with a strong Game 1 starter like Tyler Glasnow (9-6, 3.49 ERA, 168 K’s in 134 IP’s).

Arizona Diamondbacks – 69-53

There’s a whole mathematical formula that the MLB uses to figure out tie breakers so it’ll be interesting to see that come into play if the Padres and the D-backs stay as close as they are currently. The Diamondbacks are personally playing some of the best baseball i’ve seen them play for as long as i’ve been watching. The D-Backs currently rank 1st in runs scored this season, 2nd in batting average, 3rd in OPS, and 4th in total bases. Defensively everything has also been clicking for the D-Backs leading a league low 45 errors. Players like Jake Mccarthy who ranks 1st in https://realsports.io/ 7-day rankings. Ketel Marte who ranks 9th in the season rankings and is giving everyone a reason to talk about putting his name on the MVP Ballot. Everyone is performing really well. Joc Pederson is definitely playing his heart out lately with him batting a .285, 54 RBI’s and 19 HR’s. Josh Bell, the Diamondbacks trade deadline acquisition, is proving to be a good 1st baseman for the injured Christian Walker. I don’t see Bell taking Walker’s job but it will be interesting to see how Torey Lovullo will manage the lineup once Walker returns. Alek Thomas was also called down recently to Triple AAA. recalling Blaze Alexander. The Diamondbacks will look for Thomas to get hot right before the final September call-ups since all signs point to the Diamondbacks punching their ticket to play October ball once again. Arizona are also currently on a 6 game win streak, with also since the All-Star break winning all their series. Either sweeping their opponents or only losing one game. The Diamondbacks are only two games behind the Dodgers for the division title, and also not too far behind getting a first round bye. Keep an eye on the Answerbacks to try to break into the Dodgers 2 game lead, as their next couple of opponents are the Rays, Marlins, Red Sox, Mets, and the Dodgers to end out their August.

San Diego Padres – 69-53

The Padres are also red hot currently, being in the same position as the Diamondbacks, 2 games behind the division lead and a potential bye, and also winning all of their series since the All Star break. The Padres travel down to Mile High Colorado (44-78) tomorrow who rank last in runs allowed this season. The Padres will look to complete the sweep to keep the playoff picture close. Jackson Merrill and Luis Arraez who are both Top 20 in https://realsports.io/ 7-day player rankings. They are just playing amazing baseball as well. Their opponents probably haven’t been top quality teams but being able to lead the MLB in ERA since the break, is pretty damn impressive. Joe Musgrove is back from injury and Tatis Jr, while no timetable for return, has been rumored to return before October baseball. After this trip to Colorado, the Padres will face the Twins, Mets, Cardinals, and then the Rays. The Padres who had the day off today, August 15th. Will see their next day off on September 3rd. This 18 game stretch will be a serious test to their fatigue and if they can keep up with the tough October schedule.

NL Central

Milwaukee Brewers – 69-52

The Brewers currently have a 9 game lead over 2nd place Cincinnati Reds so unless they go on a historic losing streak, then i don’t see them missing the playoffs. But they will unofrtunately be missing OF Christian Yelich who announced today in a video on social media, that he would be missing the rest of the season due to needing surgery on his back. Yelich who wasn’t hitting dingers, was super consistent this season, batting a .315 with 42 RBI’s. The Brewers will turn to Adames and William Contreas to keep those consistent hits in the lineup going into October. The Brewers split their series between the Dodgers which was a really good test for October which gave me 100% confidence that they won’t be going on a nine game losing streak and will win their division, and make the playoffs. I predict they finish their season 86-64.

NL East

Philadelphia Phillies – 71-50

The Phillies haven’t had the best transition into the 2nd half into the season as they would have hoped. Losing back to back series to the Pirates, Twins, Guardians, Yankees and the Mariners. Finally turning it around against the Dodgers. Then losing their series against the D-backs and splitting a 2 game series between the Marlins. Since the break, the Phillies have only won one series out of 8. The Phillies biggest problem in my opinion is RISP. Runners in scoring position. Watching the Diamondbacks game, i honestly lost count of how many times the first 4-5 batters loaded the bases, just for the bottom 3-4 to get out. The Phillies lineup is currently way to top heavy. The Phillies obviously have some time to move the lineups around and see what works the best for them. Phillies might just be one lineup card away to securing a bye. Starting Pitcher Zack Wheeler (12-5, 2.72, 162 k’s) is having a very impressive season who will be a scary pitcher for any team to face in a game 1 situation. Then also with their 1-2-3 potentially being batters like Bohm, Harper, Castellanos, Turner or Schwarber. The Phillies will definitely be back for a revenge run after their 3-4 loss to the Diamondbacks in the NLCS.

Atlanta Braves – 64-57

The Braves have unfortunately been overloaded by injuries this season, but with a spot at the Wild Card still being in reach. Players like Ozuna who is already having a strong season will turn to Riley and Olson who Olson is coming off of a 50+ HR season, will want to get back to that to see the Braves go deep into the postseason. Chris Sale and Max Fried are having monster seasons, so look out for the Braves, if they can get through the regular season with no more injuries, and keep winning, then i can see them winning their wild card and giving whoever their opponent is in the first round, some serious problems.

New York Mets – 62-59

The Mets faced the Athletics today which saw them walk their batters 11 different times. The Mets who have a 1.5 game lead over the Giants but are 2.0 games behind the Wild Card will for sure have a chance to make the Wild Card if the Braves hit a rough patch this season. Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor continue to produce for the Mets with Lindor ranking 10th in https://realsports.io/ season rankings. With Luis Severino and Sean Manaea, i personally think the Mets can sneak their way in.

Dark Horses

Giants

Reds

Cardinals

Cubs

All these teams are less then 5.5 games behind, we’ve seen multiple teams turn their seasons around in these late weeks of August and September. If teams like the Braves or the Mets start to struggle, look for any of these teams to try to sneak their way in. If i was a betting man (which i am) i’d put my money on the Reds. If any of those 2 teams start to struggle, keep an eye of these Dark Horses.

If the Playoffs ended today

The Dodgers and the Phillies would get their byes. While the Padres and the Diamondbacks would face each other, as well as the Brewers and the Braves.

This is the end of the story.

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