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Baseball is back! At least most of the players are, for now. There is a 60-game schedule, and we’ll see how much of it is played this year. But with the Winter Meetings having happened over eight months ago, you have probably forgotten who is on what team. Today we’ll begin a division-by-division preview to refresh you on what teams look like in this bizarre truncated season.
Atlanta Braves
2019 record: 97-65
2019 pythag: 91-71
2020 ZIPS projection: 33-27
Notable additions: 1B Yonder Alonso, C Travis d’Arnaud, LF Marcell Ozuna, LHP Will Smith
Notable losses: LHP Jerry Blevins, 3B Josh Donaldson, RHP Felix Hernandez (opted out), OF Matt Joyce, LHP Dallas Keuchel, RF Nick Markakis (opted out), C Brian McCann, RHP Anthony Swarzak, RHP Julio Teheran
The Nats may have won the World Series, but it was the Braves who actually finished in first place last year. They return much of their young, talent-laden team with Marcell Ozuna replacing Josh Donaldson as the big bat in the lineup. Atlanta revamped their bullpen at the trade deadline last summer and continued that this off-season by signing Will Smith. However Smith, All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, and pitcher Touki Toussant are all out indefinitely with COVID-19.
Braves projected lineup
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
RF | Ronald Acuña Jr. | .280 | .365 | .518 | 715 | 41 | 5.7 |
2B | Ozzie Albies | .295 | .352 | .500 | 702 | 24 | 5.2 |
LF | Marcell Ozuna | .241 | .328 | .472 | 549 | 29 | 1.9 |
1B | Freddie Freeman | .295 | .389 | .549 | 692 | 38 | 4.0 |
C | Travis d'Arnaud | .251 | .312 | .433 | 391 | 16 | 1.0 |
CF | Ender Inciarte | .246 | .343 | .397 | 230 | 5 | 0.6 |
DH | Austin Riley | .226 | .279 | .471 | 297 | 18 | 0.1 |
SS | Dansby Swanson | .251 | .325 | .422 | 545 | 17 | 1.5 |
3B | Johan Camargo | .233 | .279 | .384 | 248 | 7 | -0.6 |
Bench | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
C | Tyler Flowers | .229 | .319 | .413 | 310 | 11 | -0.3 |
1B | Yonder Alonso | .199 | .296 | .346 | 335 | 10 | -0.9 |
IF | Adeiny Hechavarria | .241 | .299 | .443 | 221 | 9 | 0.9 |
IF | Charlie Culberson | .259 | .294 | .437 | 144 | 5 | 0.1 |
OF | Adam Duvall | .267 | .315 | .567 | 130 | 10 | 0.6 |
Braves projected pitching staff
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
RHP | Mike Soroka | 2.68 | 3.45 | 174.2 | 7.3 | 2.1 | 5.5 |
LHP | Max Fried | 4.02 | 3.72 | 165.2 | 9.4 | 2.6 | 3.0 |
RHP | Mike Foltynewicz | 4.54 | 4.97 | 117.0 | 8.1 | 2.8 | 0.5 |
LHP | Cole Hamels | 3.81 | 4.09 | 141.2 | 9.1 | 3.6 | 3.2 |
RHP | Touki Toussant | 5.62 | 4.99 | 41.2 | 9.7 | 5.6 | -0.5 |
Pit | Bullpen | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
RHP | Mark Melancon | 3.61 | 2.86 | 67.1 | 9.1 | 2.4 | 0.9 |
LHP | Will Smith | 2.76 | 3.23 | 65.1 | 13.2 | 2.9 | 2.1 |
RHP | Shane Greene | 2.30 | 3.79 | 62.2 | 9.2 | 2.4 | 2.0 |
RHP | Luke Jackson | 3.84 | 3.24 | 72.2 | 13.1 | 3.2 | 0.7 |
RHP | Chris Martin | 3.40 | 3.25 | 55.2 | 10.5 | 0.8 | 1.5 |
LHP | Sean Newcomb | 3.16 | 4.24 | 68.1 | 8.6 | 3.8 | 1.2 |
Miami Marlins
2019 record: 57-105
2019 pythag: 61-101
2020 ZIPS projection: 26-34
Notable additions: 1B Jesus Aguilar, RHP Brad Boxberger, C Francisco Cervelli, OF Corey Dickerson, RHP Yimi Garcia, OF Matt Joyce, RHP Brandon Kintzler, OF Jonathan Villar
Notable losses: RHP Austin Brice, 2B Starlin Castro, LHP Wei-Yin Chen, OF Austin Dean, OF Curtis Granderson, RHP Tayron Guerrero, RHP Tyler Kinley, IF Martin Prado, IF Neil Walker
The rebuild continues in Miami, but they did add some veteran hitters like Jesus Aguilar, Corey Dickerson, and Jonathan Villar to an offense that finished dead last in runs scored in 2019. The young pitching staff holds some promise and it is not inconceivable that 2020 first-round pick Max Meyer could join the staff at some point this year. Still, the only thing keeping the Marlins from losing 100 games is the shortened schedule.
Marlins projected starting lineup
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
CF | Jonathan Villar | .274 | .339 | .453 | 714 | 24 | 3.9 |
3B | Brian Anderson | .261 | .342 | .468 | 520 | 20 | 3.7 |
LF | Corey Dickerson | .304 | .341 | .565 | 279 | 12 | 0.8 |
1B | Jesus Aguilar | .236 | .325 | .389 | 369 | 12 | -0.3 |
2B | Isan Diaz | .173 | .259 | .307 | 201 | 5 | -0.8 |
C | Jorge Alfaro | .262 | .312 | .425 | 465 | 18 | 1.3 |
DH | Matt Joyce | .295 | .408 | .450 | 238 | 7 | 0.7 |
RF | Lewis Brinson | .173 | .236 | .221 | 248 | 0 | -2.0 |
SS | Miguel Rojas | .284 | .331 | .379 | 526 | 5 | 1.4 |
Bench | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
CF | Francisco Cervelli | .213 | .302 | .348 | 160 | 3 | 0.3 |
1B | Garrett Cooper | .281 | .344 | .446 | 421 | 15 | 1.6 |
IF | Jon Berti | .273 | .348 | .406 | 287 | 6 | 1.6 |
OF | Harold Rameriz | .276 | .312 | .416 | 446 | 11 | 0.3 |
OF | Magneuris Sierra | .350 | .381 | .425 | 42 | 0 | 0.2 |
Marlins projected pitching staff
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
LHP | Caleb Smith | 4.52 | 5.11 | 153.1 | 9.9 | 3.5 | 1.7 |
RHP | Sandy Alcantara | 3.88 | 4.55 | 197.1 | 6.9 | 3.7 | 2.8 |
RHP | Jose Ureña | 5.21 | 4.74 | 84.2 | 6.6 | 2.8 | -0.3 |
RHP | Pablo Lopez | 5.09 | 4.28 | 111.1 | 7.7 | 2.2 | 0.5 |
RHP | Jordan Yamamoto | 4.46 | 4.51 | 78.2 | 9.4 | 4.1 | 0.7 |
Pit | Bullpen | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
RHP | Brandon Kintzler | 2.68 | 3.56 | 57.0 | 7.6 | 2.1 | 1.8 |
RHP | Yimi Garcia | 3.61 | 5.19 | 62.1 | 9.5 | 2.0 | 0.2 |
RHP | Brad Boxberger | 5.40 | 4.68 | 26.2 | 9.1 | 5.7 | 0.0 |
RHP | Ryne Stanek | 3.97 | 4.28 | 77.0 | 10.4 | 4.6 | 0.4 |
LHP | Adam Conley | 6.53 | 5.19 | 60.2 | 7.9 | 4.3 | -1.2 |
RHP | Eliser Hernandez | 5.03 | 5.58 | 82.1 | 9.3 | 2.8 | 0.2 |
New York Mets
2019 record: 86-76
2019 pythag: 86-76
2020 ZIPS projection: 32-28
Notable additions: OF Jake Marisnick, RHP Rick Porcello, RHP Michael Wacha
Notable losses: LHP Luis Avilan, 3B Todd Frazier, CF Juan Lagares, 2B Joe Panik, RHP Zack Wheeler
Say what you will about the Mets, but they certainly are interesting. They smashed a club-record 242 home runs last year, paced by Rookie of the Year and National League home run champ Peter Alonso, who hung 53 dongs. Defense could be an issue and the pitching staff will need contributions from free agents Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha, but the Mets could be in a good position to make a Wild Card run, if not a challenge for first place.
Mets projected starting lineup
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
CF | Brandon Nimmo | .221 | .375 | .407 | 254 | 8 | 0.7 |
3B | Jeff McNeil | .318 | .384 | .531 | 567 | 23 | 4.9 |
1B | Pete Alonso | .260 | .358 | .583 | 693 | 53 | 5.2 |
2B | Robinson Cano | .256 | .307 | .428 | 423 | 13 | 0.3 |
LF | J.D. Davis | .307 | .369 | .527 | 453 | 22 | 1.0 |
RF | Michael Conforto | .257 | .363 | .494 | 648 | 33 | 3.4 |
C | Wilson Ramos | .288 | .351 | .416 | 524 | 14 | 2.2 |
DH | Dominic Smith | .282 | .355 | .525 | 197 | 11 | 0.7 |
SS | Amed Rosario | .287 | .230 | .432 | 655 | 15 | 2.4 |
Bench | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
C | Tomas Nido | .191 | .231 | .316 | 144 | 4 | -0.8 |
1B | Matt Adams | .226 | .276 | .465 | 333 | 20 | 0.1 |
IF | Luis Guillorme | .246 | .324 | .361 | 70 | 1 | 0.4 |
OF | Yoenis Cespedes | Did not play | |||||
OF | Jake Marisnick | .233 | .289 | .411 | 318 | 10 | 1.4 |
Mets projected pitching staff
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
RHP | Jacob deGrom | 2.43 | 2.67 | 204.0 | 11.3 | 1.9 | 8.2 |
RHP | Marcus Stroman | 3.22 | 3.72 | 184.1 | 7.8 | 2.8 | 4.6 |
RHP | Rick Porcello | 5.52 | 4.76 | 174.1 | 7.4 | 2.3 | 1.2 |
LHP | Steven Matz | 4.21 | 4.60 | 160.1 | 8.6 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
RHP | Michael Wacha | 4.76 | 5.61 | 126.2 | 7.4 | 3.9 | 0.1 |
Pit | Bullpen | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
RHP | Edwin Diaz | 5.59 | 4.51 | 58.0 | 15.4 | 3.4 | -0.5 |
RHP | Dellin Betances | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.2 | 27 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
RHP | Seth Lugo | 2.70 | 2.70 | 80.0 | 11.7 | 1.8 | 2.4 |
LHP | Justin Wilson | 2.54 | 3.91 | 39.0 | 10.2 | 4.4 | 1.3 |
RHP | Jeurys Familia | 5.70 | 4.88 | 60.0 | 9.5 | 6.3 | -0.4 |
RHP | Robert Gsellman | 4.66 | 4.12 | 63.2 | 8.5 | 3.3 | 0.1 |
Philadelphia Phillies
2019 record: 81-81
2019 pythag: 79-83
2020 ZIPS projection: 30-30
Notable additions: IF Logan Forsythe, SS Didi Gregorius, IF Josh Harrison, IF Neil Walker, RHP Zack Wheeler
Notable losses: OF Corey Dickerson, 2B Cesar Hernandez, 3B Maikel Franco, RHP Jerad Eickhoff, RHP Juan Nicasio, LHP Drew Smyly, LHP Jason Vargas
The Phillies won 102 games in 2011 and haven’t had a winning season since. They finished right at .500 last year, short of expectations after landing mega-free agent Bryce Harper. They spent again this past winter, signing pitcher Zack Wheeler to a five-year, $118 million contract. He’ll join Aaron Nola who could be poised to be among the best pitchers in the league, but the rest of the Phillie rotation looks rather thin.
Phillies projected starting lineup
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
LF | Andrew McCutchen | .256 | .378 | .457 | 262 | 10 | 1.6 |
3B | Jean Segura | .280 | .323 | .420 | 618 | 12 | 1.5 |
RF | Bryce Harper | .260 | .372 | .510 | 682 | 35 | 4.3 |
1B | Rhys Hoskins | .226 | .364 | .454 | 705 | 29 | 1.6 |
C | J.T. Realmuto | .275 | .328 | .493 | 593 | 25 | 4.5 |
DH | Jay Bruce | .216 | .261 | .523 | 333 | 26 | 0.6 |
SS | Didi Gregorius | .238 | .276 | .441 | 344 | 16 | 0.3 |
2B | Scott Kingery | .258 | .315 | .474 | 500 | 19 | 2.8 |
CF | Adam Haseley | .266 | .324 | .396 | 242 | 5 | 1.8 |
Bench | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
C | Andrew Knapp | .213 | .318 | .324 | 160 | 2 | 0.1 |
IF | Logan Forsythe | .227 | .325 | .353 | 367 | 7 | -0.2 |
IF | Neil Walker | .261 | .344 | .395 | 381 | 8 | 0.6 |
IF | Josh Harrison | .175 | .218 | .263 | 147 | 1 | -0.9 |
OF | Roman Quinn | .213 | .298 | .370 | 122 | 4 | -0.2 |
Phillies projected pitching staff
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
RHP | Aaron Nola | 3.87 | 4.03 | 202.1 | 10.2 | 3.6 | 4.2 |
RHP | Zack Wheeler | 3.96 | 3.48 | 195.1 | 9.0 | 2.3 | 3.7 |
RHP | Jake Arrieta | 4.64 | 4.89 | 135.2 | 7.3 | 3.4 | 0.9 |
RHP | Vince Velasquez | 4.91 | 5.21 | 117.1 | 10.0 | 3.3 | 0.7 |
RHP | Zach Eflin | 4.13 | 4.85 | 163.1 | 7.1 | 2.6 | 1.6 |
Pit | Bullpen | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
LHP | Adam Morgan | 3.94 | 4.33 | 29.2 | 8.8 | 3.0 | 0.4 |
RHP | Nick Pivetta | 5.38 | 5.47 | 93.2 | 8.6 | 3.7 | -0.5 |
RHP | Seranthony Dominguez | 4.01 | 4.02 | 24.2 | 10.6 | 4.4 | 0.0 |
LHP | Ranger Suarez | 3.14 | 3.89 | 48.2 | 7.8 | 2.2 | 0.9 |
RHP | Hector Neris | 2.93 | 3.83 | 67.2 | 11.8 | 3.2 | 1.8 |
RHP | Jose Alvarez | 3.36 | 4.21 | 59.0 | 7.8 | 2.7 | 0.8 |
Washington Nationals
2019 record: 93-69
2019 pythag: 95-67
2020 ZIPS projection: 33-27
Notable additions: 2B Starlin Castro, RHP Ryne Harper, RHP Will Harris, 1B Eric Thames
Notable losses: 1B Matt Adams, 2B Brian Dozier, LHP Matt Grace, RHP Jeremy Hellickson, OF Gerardo Parra, 3B Anthony Rendon, RHP Fernando Rodney, RHP Joe Ross (opted out), RHP Hunter Strickland, 1B Ryan Zimmerman (opted out)
The Nationals began the season 19-31, but ended the season hoisting the championship trophy. They were able to retain free agent pitcher Stephen Strasburg, but third baseman Anthony Rendon signed with the Angels. Washington will replace him with Carter Kieboom, who was ranked as the #15 prospect in the game by Baseball America after hitting .303/.409/.493 with 16 home runs for Triple-A Fresno. The Nats had the second-worst bullpen ERA in baseball last year at 5.68, and brought in Daniel Hudson at the deadline last year, and Will Harris over the off-season to stabilize the pen.
Nationals projected lineup
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
SS | Trea Turner | .298 | .353 | .497 | 569 | 19 | 3.3 |
RF | Adam Eaton | .279 | .365 | .428 | 656 | 15 | 1.5 |
2B | Starlin Castro | .270 | .300 | .436 | 636 | 22 | 1.4 |
LF | Juan Soto | .282 | .401 | .548 | 659 | 34 | 4.6 |
DH | Howie Kendrick | .344 | .395 | .572 | 370 | 17 | 2.5 |
1B | Eric Thames | .247 | .346 | .505 | 459 | 25 | 1.6 |
CF | Victor Robles | .255 | .326 | .419 | 617 | 17 | 4.1 |
C | Yan Gomes | .223 | .316 | .389 | 358 | 12 | 1.3 |
3B | Carter Kieboom | .128 | .209 | .282 | 43 | 2 | -1.0 |
Bench | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
C | Kurt Suzuki | .264 | .324 | .486 | 309 | 17 | 0.3 |
IF | Asdrubal Cabera | .260 | .342 | .441 | 447 | 18 | 1.8 |
IF | Wilmer Difo | .252 | .315 | .313 | 144 | 2 | -1.1 |
OF | Andrew Stevenson | .367 | .486 | .467 | 37 | 0 | 0.2 |
OF | Michael Taylor | .250 | .305 | .364 | 97 | 1 | 0.0 |
Nationals projected pitching staff
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
RHP | Stephen Strasburg | 3.32 | 3.25 | 209.0 | 10.8 | 2.4 | 6.4 |
RHP | Max Scherzer | 2.92 | 2.45 | 172.1 | 10.6 | 3.1 | 5.7 |
LHP | Patrick Corbin | 3.25 | 3.49 | 202.0 | 10.6 | 3.1 | 5.4 |
RHP | Anibal Sanchez | 3.85 | 4.44 | 166.0 | 7.3 | 3.1 | 3.3 |
RHP | Erick Fedde | 4.50 | 5.34 | 78.0 | 4.7 | 3.8 | 1.0 |
Pit | Bullpen | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
RHP | Daniel Hudson | 2.47 | 3.97 | 73.0 | 8.8 | 3.3 | 2.0 |
LHP | Sean Doolittle | 4.05 | 4.25 | 60.0 | 9.9 | 2.3 | 0.9 |
RHP | Will Harris | 1.50 | 3.15 | 60.0 | 9.3 | 2.1 | 1.9 |
RHP | Tanner Rainey | 3.91 | 4.37 | 48.1 | 13.8 | 7.1 | 0.6 |
LHP | Roenis Elias | 3.96 | 5.07 | 50.0 | 8.5 | 3.2 | -0.3 |
RHP | Wander Suero | 4.54 | 3.07 | 71.1 | 10.2 | 3.3 | 0.7 |
Poll
Who will win the National League East?
This poll is closed
-
55%
Atlanta Braves
-
0%
Miami Marlins
-
13%
New York Mets
-
5%
Philadelphia Phillies
-
25%
Washington Nationals