Why Every National League Team Will/Will Not Win the World Series
Photo by Greg Fiume from Getty Images
Sometimes when I make predictions for the postseason, I like to go back and read what I said in previous years.
Just in case I find myself saying the same thing, you know?
Well, I did that for the NL playoffs last year and let me tell you, I’m going to be repeating myself A LOT this post, because the NL playoff field is, more or less, the same, and the teams strengths and weaknesses in them are, more or less, the same.
So let’s just dive in.
Milwaukee Brewers
Why They Will
The Brewers are elite all around.
Great pitching. Great batting. Great fielding.
What’s not to like?
Why They Won’t
And this is where I begin to repeat myself.
We do this all the time with the Brewers.
They come into the postseason as one of the best teams in baseball, and they fall short.
Last year, they were poised to take down the Dodgers in the NLCS, and instead got swept.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Why They Will
Back to back World Series champions. All of the injuries they had are MAGICALLY coming back right on time.
I mean, come on.
Why They Won’t
Last year, they were one out away from not going back to back, due in large part to some poor pitching in the World Series against the Blue Jays.
They got away with it in the end, but it almost cost them.
If they make those mistakes again, maybe they won’t get so lucky.
Ah, who am I kidding? Yes they will.
Atlanta Braves
Why They Will
Welcome back, Braves!
After an off year in 2025, the Braves are back in the postseason as NL East champions, due in large part to an excellent season from their starting pitching.
If they can get a lead early, their staff will keep it deep in the game.
Why They Won’t
Their path is brutal.
The NL is extremely good as is, but the Braves, as the third ranked division winner, have to play the Wild Card Round against Phillies, and then face the Dodgers if they get past that.
They’re a good team, but they’ll need to be an elite team to get through this murderers row of the NL Postseason.
San Diego Padres
Why They Will
To win a World Series, you have to have an elite bullpen.
Look at last year.
The Mariners were a few outs away from their first World Series ever, but the bullpen collapsed in game 7 and the Blue Jays advanced to the World Series.
And in said World Series, the Blue Jays were two outs away from being World Champs, but the bullpen blew it and they lost in extra innings.
That won’t be a problem with the Padres.
They can slam the door shut.
Why They Won’t
To slam the door shut, they have to have a lead.
And that’s going to be a problem when their starting pitching isn’t very good (-2.3 WAA) and their bats aren’t either (-0.9 WAA).
Don’t bet the farm on them making any noise.
Chicago Cubs
Why They Will
Here’s what I said about last years Cubs team.
“The Cubs have some unreal bats.
Their total non pitcher bWAR is 19.5, 8 wins higher than the next closest team.
It’s a stacked lineup 1 through 9, and it’s going to be electric to watch.”
And this year, the Cubs non pitcher bWAR is 16.8, which is 5 wins higher than the next closest team.
Not as good, but still elite.
Why They Won’t
Here’s what I said about last years Cubs team.
“You may be wondering “Brian, if their lineup is that good, how come they are are a wild card team?”
It’s because their pitching is atrocious.
The Cubs have the third worst pitching staff in baseball, starters and relievers, according to bWAR.
Outscoring your bad staff doesn’t usually lead to World Series titles.”
And this year, the Cubs pitching staff is the 6th worst in baseball.
So their pitching isn’t as bad as last year, but their offense isn’t as good either.
It sunk them last year. It will sink them again.
Philadelphia Phillies
Why They Will
This is, far and away, the best starting rotation in baseball, with a 15.2 WAA, 5 higher than the 2nd ranked New York Yankees.
They are elite at keeping runs off the board.
Why They Won’t
They need to be, because this is, far and away, the worst lineup in baseball, with a 89 OPS+, which is worst in the league.
I don’t care how good your pitching is.
At some point, you have to score, and the Phillies are really bad at that.
