NL Power Rankings Week 1 Edition

[Mets GM (Jack)]

1. Dbacks

2. Phillies

3. Marlins

4. Cubs

5. Braves

6. Padres

7. Dodgers

8. Reds

9. Mets

10. Giants

11. Rockies

12. Brewers

13. Pirates

14. Cardinals

15. Nationals (but they are better)

This should be fun - Everyone on this list is fielding a team and has enough to win any matchup. No easy ones this year.

[Mets GM (Jack)]

As We Enter The halfway Point in the season there are some changes to the Power Rankings in the NL. Due to injuries, depth issues, call ups and other factors here is where we stand:

Division Leaders
1. Phillies - 1st in NL - 1st In NL East - Holds the leagues best record and has been in front since the beginning been a mostly healthy season for Stan - I was mostly right, had them 2nd in my original rankings.

2. Dbacks - 13GB of Phillies - 1st in NL West - Strong start from Hemmons who has a very deep team but Noah is breathing down his neck in the West should be a good battle in this division - I was also mostly right on this from my original rankings - had them 1st.

3. Padres - .5 GB of Dbacks - 2nd in NL West - Noah had a slow start but has been red hot the last few weeks to shrink the gap in the division to half a game, he comes into a Mets team that has entered the playoff picture but has potentially lost Aaron Judge for a few weeks. Had them 6th to start - not totally off - Knew they'd contend for playoffs.

4. Cubs - 20.5 GB of Phillies - 1st in NL Central - My first right on the money prediction - I picked Cubs to be 4th in the NL and 1st in the Central. That said there are 9 teams behind him within 13 games of the NL Central leader.

WC
5. Brewers - 21 GB of of Phillies - 2nd in NL Central - Bit of a surprise here, don't think anyone expected this team to be much of a threat but here they are only a half game out of their division. Season stats suggest he's been very lucky as the numbers say this is the leagues 20th best team below Giants and Angels and only 1 point better than Athletics. Not a lot of depth here so a few injuries could be doom for Milwaukee, but I personally hope Natty stumbles into the division win and faces off against the next team on our list which would be the 6th seeded....

6. Mets - 22 GB of Phillies - 2nd in NL East - 1st place for 3rd WC - This week is the first time all season that my team has entered the playoff picture although I've been "In the hunt" the whole way. It's been a dog fight to say the least, NL is a hard conference to make the tournament, I'd probably win the AL. Going to need more prospects to come up and make an impact to make noise since no one will trade but I'm happy to be in the fight this year and even if I don't make it I'll have a nice lottery pick.

In the Hunt
7. Braves - 25 GB of Phillies - 3rd in NL East - 3 GB of WC 3 - I know I put braves as the 5th best team but I thought the new owner would do a bit more with the roster, I don't think Curt can hang around the rest of the way with 22 players. the lack of depth on this team has me shocked that they are even above .500. We'l see how much longer they can hang around as the schedule toughens up on the back half. - Marlins owns this potential lottery Pick

8. Giants - 27 GB of Phillies - 3rd in NL West - 5 GB of WC 3 - I think this is the best Season buck has had to this point in his ODC tenure and honestly feel like his team has underperformed, he's made enough moves to hang around and is within striking distance of a playoff berth. If he doesn't make it - he does own his own potential lottery pick

9. Reds - 29.5 GB of Phillies - 3rd in NL Central - 7.5 GB of WC 3 - Lots of injuries have hurt the Reds this year, Still a bit surprised by the under .500 record as the team has a lot of talent. Couple of moves to address the bullpen could get him back into contention. Division is only 9 games away. - Orioles own the pick

10. Dodgers - 30.5 GB of Phillies - 4th in NL West - 8.5 GB of WC - Jake's been in and out of contention the whole year and it feels like he's leaning toward dropping out more than going in as he's shopped around some of his expiring guys, but I still feel like his team has more talent and depth than some of the teams above him and he's a few weeks away from being right there. - Pittsburgh owns the pick so no point in fighting to be in the lottery

11. Rockies - 32.5 GB of Phillies - 5th in NL West - 10.5 GB of WC - this team is destined for middle of the road
as they were to start the year - Soler has been very good but this team needs more activity from Red.

12. Marlins - 33.5 GB of Phillies - 4th in NLE - 11.5GB of 3rd WC - I can't believe Kevin is lower than the Rockies but it's still early to throw in the towel here, lots of teams to pass but only 11.5 out of the WC isn't insurmountable and his team is certainly talented enough to move up quickly. I was dead wrong from the jump as I had them 3rd in the NL to start the year.

On to next season
13. Cardinals 46.5 GB of Phillies - 4th in NLC - looks like Matt has raised the white flag, he's had some injuries and trouble fielding a full lineup, he does have some young SP's to look forward to but the tank is on in St Louis.

14. Nationals - 47 GB of Phillies - 5th in NLE - I'm a bit surprised how far back WSH is - I like the roster and it's not like there is no depth or anything, probably a tough schedule to this point.

15. Pirates - 55 GB of Phillies - 5th in NLC - I thought they'd be better, but they are looking to be in the lottery.