The home-stretch of the 2024 baseball season is upon us. Playoff races are heating up. So, today we will be taking a look at three series which have ties to the races in the National League.
Phillies v. Braves
The Philadelphia Phillies versus Atlanta Braves series is about to kick off, and this matchup between two of the National League’s heavyweights should be a blast to watch. Although the Braves were bitten by the injury bug over the last month both teams are coming in strong, with a lot of firepower on both sides.
Starting with the Phillies, they’re riding high on some solid momentum, especially with the way their lineup has been clicking. Bryce Harper has been leading the charge, looking every bit the MVP he’s been before. He’s been getting great support from Kyle Schwarber, whose power at the plate is always a game-changer, and Nick Castellanos, who’s having a strong season himself. Trea Turner’s speed and defense add another layer to this team, and when you throw in guys like Alec Bohm and J.T. Realmuto, the Phillies have a lineup that can go toe-to-toe with anyone.
Pitching-wise, the Phillies are leaning on Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola to set the tone. Wheeler’s been a consistent force on the mound, and Nola, despite a few ups and downs, is capable of delivering ace-level performances when it matters most. The bullpen, anchored by Jeff Hoffman who has been nearly untouchable late in games recording 17 holds and 9 saves when called on to close out the game, and that’s going to be key in a series where every inning could make the difference.
On the other side, the Braves are a powerhouse in their own right, and they’ve been at the top of the National League standings for a reason. Marcell Ozuna has been dangerous this season leading the team with 36 homers. Then there is Matt Olson who’s been struggling to find his groove all season but has still managed to hit 21 home runs. Austin Riley has been consistently delivering at the plate recently as well and seems to be finding his groove again, the Braves’ lineup is one of the most dangerous out there.
The Braves’ pitching staff is equally formidable. Spencer Strider has been lights out, racking up strikeouts at a ridiculous rate. Charlie Morton’s veteran presence can’t be overlooked either; he’s been through the wars and knows how to handle high-pressure games. The Braves’ bullpen, featuring guys like Raisel Iglesias, is as good as any in the league, and has been nearly unstoppable closing out games blowing only two saves of 28 chances.
This series is going to be a slugfest with both teams capable of putting up runs in a hurry. The Phillies’ mix of veteran leadership and emerging stars will test the Braves’ depth and resilience. But the Braves, with their blend of young talent and seasoned players, aren’t going to back down. Every game is going to feel like a playoff atmosphere, and it’s the kind of series that could have a big impact on how the NL playoff picture shapes up.
Whether it’s the Phillies’ relentless lineup or the Braves’ explosive offense, this series has all the ingredients for some classic baseball. Buckle up—it’s going to be a wild ride.
Brewers v. Cardinals
The Milwaukee Brewers and the St. Louis Cardinals are about to square off as the Cardinals look to hold a spot near the top of the NL Central after finishing 2023 in last place.
Starting with the Brewers, their roster is a solid mix of veterans and young talent. The heartbeat of the lineup appears to be William Contreras with Jackson Chourio backing him up, Milwaukee has a lineup that can put runs on the board quickly. Contreras, especially, has been a nice surprise with his consistency both behind the plate and with the bat. The pitching staff, anchored by Tobias Myers, has been solid. Myers appears to be a true ace in the making because the Brewers always have a shot to win when he is on the mound. Add to that Devin Williams in the bullpen, who’s been untouchable in closing situations recently, and the Brewers have a strong case as the team to beat in this series.
On the flip side, the Cardinals’ roster is a bit of a mixed bag this season. They’ve got talent, no doubt about it, but consistency has been a major issue. Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado are the big names, and they’re as dangerous as ever. Goldschmidt’s power and Arenado’s ability to hit in key moments make them a fearsome duo. But the supporting cast hasn’t always been there this season. Jordan Walker, the young outfielder, has shown flashes of brilliance, but the Cards need more than flashes if they want to turn their season around. The pitching staff is another area of concern. Miles Mikolas and Adam Wainwright have had their moments, but the starting rotation has been shaky overall, leading to a lot of pressure on the bullpen to hold leads.
In this series, the Brewers have the advantage, especially considering their pitching depth and the ability to close out games with Williams. But you can never count out the Cardinals, especially with players like Goldschmidt and Arenado who can change the game with one swing of the bat. If the Cardinals’ pitching can step up and contain the Brewers’ bats, this series could be tighter than expected.
Ultimately, this series is a classic matchup of a team trying to maintain its lead in the division versus one fighting to stay in the race. For the Brewers, taking two out of three—or better yet, sweeping—would be a strong statement. For the Cardinals, this series could be a last-ditch effort to turn things around before it’s too late. Either way, fans are in for some exciting baseball between two teams with plenty of history and a lot on the line.
Cubs v. Tigers
According to Sports Illustrated the Chicago Cubs go into their series this week against the Detroit Tigers with a 4% chance of making the playoffs before heading down to Miami to play the Marlins. The Cubs have nothing to thank for this slim chance of still making the playoffs except the injury bug coming out an biting the Atlanta Braves over the last month. The Tigers have nearly no chance of making the playoffs being fourth in the AL Central and having a rough schedule the rest of the way.
The Cubs come into the series with a solid core, including Cody Bellinger, who has been a standout in the outfield, and Justin Steele, who continues to impress on the mound. The Cubs’ lineup is not as deep as it should be. However Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, and Isaac Parades are anchoring the infield defensively with their solid defense.
The Tigers, on the other hand, will be leaning on their young talent and veteran presence. Spencer Torkelson leads the charge with his power at the plate. The Tigers also have a number veterans like Javier Báez, who is returning to Wrigley for the first time since being traded a couple years ago. Both teams have been playing competitive baseball, and this series could go either way, depending on which team’s pitching holds up better against some potent bats.
With playoff aspirations on the line for the Cubs expect a competitive series with Detroit looking to exploit the weaknesses the Cubs possess. The Cubs’ experience could give them an edge, but the Tigers’ youthful energy might surprise them. It’s a classic battle of established talent versus emerging stars, making for an exciting series.
With that… it’s time to buckle your seatbelts as the National League Playoff picture will likely take better shape this week.
If you cannot play with them, then root for them!