The National League has a clear favorite, three rebuilding clubs and a large swath of teams that range from young and promising to perennial contender, which should create a competitive atmosphere.
On Fangraphs, the Los Angeles Dodgers are projected to lead the NL with 96 wins, but there are 10 teams between 77 and 88 wins where a few breaks can cluster the group together.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are in that group and enter the season with expectations to be competitive. Pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly are back, as the D-backs are hoping for improved run prevention after the offense carried much of the burden over the past two years.
Projections suggest they are on the lower end of the contender spectrum — FanGraphs projects a .500 record — needing a lot to go right this year after a couple seasons when that certainly did not happen.
The D-backs won 80 games in 2025, entering the final weekend of the regular season with an outside chance to reach the postseason, but that window slammed shut with a loss to the San Diego Padres in Game 160.
The Dodgers are the overwhelming favorites to win the NL West, and the division is unlikely to get more than two teams in the postseason (here is the NL West preview).
The Diamondbacks will need to get a leg up over the Padres and San Francisco Giants, but here are eight additional NL clubs that can make noise and matchups the D-backs would help themselves by performing well in:
National League teams to watch for (2025 record vs. Diamondbacks)
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Milwaukee Brewers (3-4)
2025 record: 97-65
Why they were successful: Milwaukee had the second-highest scoring offense in the NL, finishing top 10 in MLB in most offensive categories. The lineup was deep and balanced without a true superstar. On the hill, Milwaukee ranked third in starter ERA and sixth in bullpen ERA.
Offseason synopsis: Milwaukee was once again a bottom-10 spender, continuing to cash in on a star player entering a walk year. The Brewers traded All-Star starting pitcher Freddy Peralta to the New York Mets for young arm Brandon Sproat and infielder Jett Williams. Milwaukee also dealt Isaac Collins and Caleb Durbin, a pair of bats who received Rookie of the Year votes. The roster is otherwise very similar to last year, and the Brewers have been masterful at finding diamonds in the rough. Jackson Chourio is 22 years old and a breakout candidate to watch, while MLB Pipeline ranked Milwaukee’s farm system No. 1.
First game vs. D-backs: April 28 in Milwaukee
Philadelphia Phillies (3-3)
2025 record: 96-66
Why they were successful: The Phillies ran away with the division with the most effective starting rotation in the NL by ERA, led by breakout Cy Young contender Cristopher Sanchez. Kyle Schwarber led the league with 56 home runs, and a midseason trade for Jhoan Duran landed Philadelphia an elite closer.
Offseason synopsis: The offseason started with some colorful headlines, as president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said superstar Bryce Harper did not have an “elite” season, which drew Harper to later wear a “Not Elite” t-shirt. The Phillies’ most notable offseason moves were bringing players back, including Kyle Schwarber and catcher J.T. Realmuto. The club fell short of landing Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette and lost starter Ranger Suarez to Boston. Ace Zack Wheeler missed the end of last season due to thoracic outlet syndrome and is working his way back for an April or May return.
First game vs. D-backs: April 10 in Philadelphia
Chicago Cubs (4-3)
2025 record: 92-70
Why they were successful: The Cubs’ offense was on fire in the first half with Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong starting the All-Star Game. The pitching was pretty solid even after Justin Steele went down for the season early on, as Matthew Boyd was an All-Star and young Cade Horton finished second for NL Rookie of the Year. The Cubs also had some of the best team defensive metrics.
Offseason synopsis: The Cubs lost Tucker but signed Alex Bregman to a five-year contract. Bregman is a very good player but not quite the same caliber hitter as Tucker, and his addition created a logjam in the infield that the Cubs are working through. Chicago traded for talented right-hander Edward Cabrera from Miami and retained Shota Imanaga to build out the rotation.
First game vs. D-backs: May 1 in Chicago
Cincinnati Reds (4-2)
2025 record: 83-79
Why they were successful: The Mets collapsing in the second half left the door open for the Reds to crash the postseason bracket. The pitching did all the heavy lifting for manager Terry Francona’s club, as it finished top 10 in starter and reliever ERA. Andrew Abbott finished eighth for Cy Young, and Hunter Greene worked a 2.76 ERA in 18 starts.
Offseason synopsis: The Reds were in the mix for Schwarber but could not pry him away from Philadelphia. Cincinnati needed pop in the lineup next to Elly De La Cruz and rookie Sal Stewart, so it signed Eugenio Suarez, a fan favorite with the Reds from 2015-21. The Reds brought back closer Emilio Pagan after 32 saves, but adversity has hit the rotation as Greene will spend half of the year on the injured list after having bone chips removed from his arm.
First game vs. D-backs: Aug. 21 in Phoenix
New York Mets (3-3)
2025 record: 83-79
Why they failed: The Mets had the best record in the National League entering June, but the season cratered in August and September (21-32). The pitching took a nosedive from a top-four ERA in MLB during the first half to bottom six in the second half. Juan Soto went off to finish third for MVP, while Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor received MVP votes, but poor pitching sank this team.
Offseason synopsis: This feels like a new team. The Mets hired a new pitching coach, Justin Willard, and acquired a No. 1 starter in Peralta. He will make up a top of the rotation with standout rookie Nolan McLean. Alonso, closer Edwin Diaz, outfielder Brandon Nimmo and infielder Jeff McNeil are out after extended tenures in New York. Infielder Bo Bichette, reliever Devin Williams, reliever Luke Weaver, infielder Jorge Polanco and outfielder Luis Robert Jr. are in, as the core around Soto and Lindor has a very different look.
First game vs. D-backs: April 7 in New York
Miami Marlins (3-3)
2025 record: 79-83
Why they failed: The Marlins were ahead of schedule to be as competitive as they were with the youngest offense and third-youngest pitching staff in baseball. The rotation was bottom five in ERA, although Sandy Alcantara pitched better down the stretch while electric arm Eury Perez returned from Tommy John surgery. The offense for the most part was middle of the pack, led by breakout outfielder Kyle Stowers.
Offseason synopsis: The Marlins signed closer Pete Fairbanks and traded a pair of starters, Cabrera and Ryan Weathers. In the Cabrera trade, Miami acquired top outfield prospect Owen Caissie. Stowers will start the year on the IL with a hamstring injury.
First game vs. D-backs: June 9 in Miami
Atlanta Braves (2-4)
2025 record: 76-86
Why they failed: A lot went wrong, from pitching injuries to offensive malaise to a performance-enhancing drug suspension for free agent addition Jurickson Profar. Chris Sale and Spencer Strider made 43 starts between them, while 2024 All-Star Reynaldo Lopez pitched one game. Outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was great, as were first baseman Matt Olson and rookie catcher Drake Baldwin, but the lineup as a whole was mediocre. This Braves team won 104 games and led the league in scoring in 2023.
Offseason synopsis: Brian Snitker stepped away as manager, and bench coach Walt Weiss took his spot. Profar has been suspended again, this time for the whole season, while shortstop Ha-Seong Kim slipped on ice in South Korea and will start the year on the IL. Starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach will miss the first two months after elbow surgery, and Strider will open the year on the IL with an oblique strain. Atlanta made most of its noise this offseason in the bullpen, retaining closer Raisel Iglesias and signing former Padres closer Robert Suarez. They also brought in former Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, who became that much more important after Profar’s suspension. There is bounce-back potential here for the lineup, but it’s been a rocky lead-up to the season.
First game vs. D-backs: April 2 in Phoenix
Pittsburgh Pirates (4-2)
2025 record: 71-91
Why they failed: The Pirates invested very little in their offense and got what they paid for. Pittsburgh scored the fewest runs in baseball and finished last in slugging and home runs. A top-10 pitching staff with Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes was hung out to dry.
Offseason synopsis: The Pirates finally focused on their offense this winter, bringing in Ryan O’Hearn, Brandon Lowe, Marcell Ozuna and prospect Jhostynxon Garcia. These are not stars but give the lineup experienced big leaguers (and a some upside with Garcia) who elevate the floor. Top prospect Konnor Griffin, a shortstop, could be the next stud in Pittsburgh, but he will start the year in Triple-A.
First game vs. D-backs: May 5 in Phoenix
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