One question per team in the race for the playoffs : National League

Passion MLB
Crédit: NY Times

There are only three weeks left in the Major League Baseball regular season. And in both leagues, there are questions to be asked (by the teams in the running) about what’s next.

After the American, here’s the National.

MLB

Brewers: will they survive the playoffs?

The Brewers are a machine this season, and barring a catastrophe, they’ll have the tie-breaking edge all the way to the playoffs. But this club isn’t used to winning in October…

Phillies: is their confidence level high?

The fact that Aaron Nola got off to a quality start against the Mets gives confidence. However, without Zack Wheeler and on the heels of injuries to Trea Turner and Alec Bohm, questions are being asked.

Dodgers: what’s going on?

The bosses have put together a club to be in a position to win in October. Things haven’t been going so well over the past few months, and the club is in danger of having to play best-of-second games. But if the guys step up at the right time, everything will be fine.

Cubs: where’s the early-season club?

Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong have been showing signs of slowing down for several weeks, and the club hasn’t done everything it needs to do to win in 2025 at the deadline. The lack of experience is starting to show.

Padres: can they catch the Dodgers?

The Padres are just one game behind the Dodgers in the standings. Winning the division in 2025 would send a message to San Diego’s fiery bullpen.

Mets: who can they trust on the mound?

The Mets’ rotation is problematic. It’ll be great in the long run, but sending three youngsters into the lion’s den for lack of options sure is a little scary.

Giants: do they regret trading relievers at the deadline?

In recent weeks, we’ve seen the Giants drop some late-game leads. Trading relievers at the deadline complicates the project of a late-season push.

Reds: Can Elly De La Cruz finish the season strong?

In recent months, the hitter has lost his identity. Can he put the club on his shoulders when it needs him most? Because time is running out…

Diamondbacks: can the new generation hold up?

The Diamondbacks’ season hasn’t gone as planned, and time is running out. If the bullpen could lend a hand, it would be a great start.

Cardinals: Is Oliver Marmol the right man for the job?

The club has done better than expected, but the change of boss is coming. And the names of Skip Schumaker, Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols refuse to die on the St. Louis side… especially if the club doesn’t get any closer to the playoffs.

This content was created with the help of AI.