Unlike the American League races the National League races have been close all season. Outside of Arizona dominating the NL West, the NL East, Central, and Wild Card have been closer than FGM and Strat. The National League has not only been one of the closet races but has the most even teams. Florida, Atlanta, New York, Orlando, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Houston are all just a couple games within each other. With a large amount of competition the National League could be primed to grab their third World Series title in as many seasons.
NL EAST
Florida-
Florida has fared well since changing GMs at the Draft. Florida is 11-4 in September so far and has it's sights set on bringing home back to back division titles. For three straight sims Florida and Atlanta were tied with New York just 2 back. Now Florida has moved up some and taken a 1.5 game lead in to tonight's final sim. While Atlanta played an average sim Florida was able to take advantage of games against Colorado while at the same point winning huge series vs Orlando and Arizona. Now Florida looks to take last nights momentum in to tonight. The Marlins open on a 10 game home stand against Pittsburgh, Orlando, and Houston before closing out the Season at Wrigley in what could be a playoff matchup against the Cubs. For Florida to win they must shut down Pittsburgh and Houston while at the same point winning at least one series vs Chicago or Orlando. If they can do that Florida will be on it's way to the division title and number 2 seed.
Atlanta-
If there has been a team that has turned around their fortunes it is Atlanta. Atlanta at one point in the season not looking like a playoff team at all is now back in the playoff race once again. Despite three straight sims being tied with the Marlins for 1st and a strong sim last night, Florida has moved ahead. Atlanta though comes in to tonight 0.5 games up on Chicago for the Wild Card 1 Spot, and is up on Milwaukee by 1 game for the final playoff spot. Atlanta looks to build on a strong 9-5 night last night. Much like Florida, the path to the playoffs for Atlanta is much of the same. Atlanta can not get dominated in Arizona to start the first four game series of the sim. For the Wild Card Atlanta must split, for the division they must win atleast 3 of 4. Atlanta needs to take advantage of home games vs Houston and the final series at home vs Pittsburgh. But the series vs Milwaukee in the middle, in Milwaukee will be huge for both teams. I expect the winner of the Milwaukee/Atlanta series to make the playoffs while the other team will have work to do.
New York-
I think we all must take a moment to recognize the job Stache has done with New York this season. Their playoff path is slim but coming from where they were the last two seasons is definitely a strong achievement and potential GM of the Year nomination. New York comes in to tonight 6 games back of 1st in the division, and 4 games back of Chicago for the final playoff spot. The Mets actually have the easiest path forward but will have a huge first series. The Mets open the sim at home against the Brewers for 4 games. If the Mets want to get back in the race they will need to take atleast 3 of 4 against Milwaukee. A split will help but might not do enough. The Mets then take on 3 of the worst teams in the National League, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Colorado. The Mets must not only win all 3 series, but they need to sweep atleast 1 of those teams, and they can not wait until Colorado at the very end to do so. The Mets have a shot and and easy schedule, they need to take care of business though and hope everyone else beats up on each other.
NL Central
Orlando-
The National League Central has been the most entertaining to some. Orlando, Chicago and up and coming Milwaukee are all close. Orlando did nice work last night finishing the sim on a 5 game winning streak and moving ahead of Chicago by 1.5, and 2 over Milwaukee. But do not expect this division race to be over. This division has changed head many times since the start of the year and even last night we saw each team have a lead at some point. Orlando has a schedule to their advantage. They will play the league worst Colorado Rockies for 8 games. They will need to take advantage of them, even the slightest of slip ups will open the door for Milwaukee and Chicago. The Century will also have possible playoff matchups in Florida then at home to close out the season vs Arizona.
Chicago-
The defending World Champs are trying to not miss the playoffs and get a shot to defend that title. Chicago, like Orlando, and Milwaukee had a strong 9-5 sim last night. This put them 0.5 behind Atlanta for the top WC spot. The Cubs the first week of the sim will have to be on the road as well as the first part of the last week. The Cubs though will need to beat Houston and Colorado as both a very winnable games for the Cubs, but the real test will be when Chicago goes to Arizona for the 2nd to last series of the season in what could be a possible ALDS matchup if the Cubs get the Wild Card, ALCS if the Cubs capture the division. The Cubs will finish out the season against the Marlins in what could be an ALDS preview and last years NLCS rematch.
Milwaukee-
Another possible nomination for GM of the Year is Milwaukee's GM BrueCrue. He has led Milwaukee from 69 wins in 2015, to 80 wins last year, and now on the cusp of their first Playoff Appearance since 2011, and their first of BLM. Milwaukee has been right along with Chicago and Orlando the whole way matching them up at each turn. The Brewers have a shot tonight, like Orlando and Chicago to play two series against one of the worst teams in the NL, that being Seattle. Milwaukee needs to win both series and probably sweep one of them. They Brew Crew can possibly eliminate the Mets with a sweep or even just a series win in the first series of the sim. They will play Atlanta in their 2nd to last series which is why it is our NL Series to watch. Milwaukee vs Atlanta will be huge if both are right on the cusp of the Wild Cards.
NL West
Arizona-
Arizona has had the NL West locked up for some time. They have been for the most part coasting. But let's look more in depth. Arizona is 6-9 in September. Where have we seen this before? No Competition, bad September, I feel like I have seen this somewhere. Oh Well guess we will keep guessing. Arizona needs to finish this month out strong. A positive for Arizona, the play potential playoff/1st round matchups against the like or Atlanta, Orlando, and Chicago with a quick series against non playoff team Washington. Bad news for Arizona, they play 3 of 4 playoff teams who themselves are fighting for their playoff lives. Arizona needs to finish this sim out strong. If they show any weakness going in to tomorrow's playoffs based on tonight, it could be an early night.
Oh yeah I remember, LA has been the best team the last two years, had a bad September and been bounced in the 1st round. Chicago in 2015 had no competition and lost in the 1st round to a good Seattle team.
Houston-
This is much like San Francisco in the American League. Houston is hanging on for deer life hoping for a miracle and is about to play a harder schedule than San Francisco will play. Houston, the defending NL West, now not anymore champion is about to be bounced out of the playoffs. But let's say a miracle can happen. How do they do it. If is gonna start at home vs Chicago in a four game series. They are gonna need to take 3/4 from them. Then they go on the road to Atlanta and Florida, again somewhere along the way Houston will need to sweep one of them, most likely Atlanta and then take 3/4 from Florida. Then they will need to close out with a strong home sweep of Washington, anything less at that point and it's probably off to be guest commentators on MLB Network.
Final Predictions-
NLE- Florida
NLC- Orlando
NLW- Arizona
NLWC1- Atlanta
NLWC2- Chicago
Outside Looking In-
Milwaukee
New York
Houston
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