by: Nate Underdog
LA Dodgers
Let’s start with the manager Dave Roberts; the 2-time World Series Champion (1 as a player, 1 as a manager) boasts the best record in the MLB into the playoffs yet again as the favorite to win.
The Pitching Staff
Clayton Kershaw – A typical Kershaw season going 11-3 with a 2.30 ERA while striking out 128 in 121 innings. He has struggles in the playoffs but broke through last year.
Julio Urias – Breakout season for the youngster as he was the ACE of the roster when Walker went down with injury, going 17-7 with a 2.16 ERA striking out 166 in 175 innings.
Tyler Anderson – Struggled at multiple stops until he found a home in LA going 15-5 with a 2.57 ERA. Only had 138 Ks in 178 innings but found ways to get players out and kept the ball in the park.
Tony Gonsolin – He was incredible this season going 16-1 with a 2.14 Era striking out 119 in 130 innings. He really found himself this season I’m looking forward to what he can do in the playoffs.
The Starting Lineup
Mookie Betts – The man that starts off this lethal offense with his ability to get on base and steal 1 when needed – hit .270 this season with 35 HRS, 40 Doubles, 82 RBI, 12 Steals. He’s played in these big games his whole career this will be nothing new to him.
Trea Turner – Mr. 20/20 can do anything you ask of him, Hits for avg at .296, hits HRs 20, Finds the gap with 39 doubles, drives in runs with 97 RBI, Swipe the bag with 27 while scoring 100 runs. In my opinion the most versatile player in the Dodgers’ lineup.
Freddie Freeman – Would be some talk about MVP if not for Goldschmidt’s year – he is consistently good. Freeman on the year manned the middle of the lineup in his 1st year as a Dodger Hitting .322 with 98 RBI, 20 HRs, 46 Doubles, tied for the team lead with Mookie with 116 runs scored.
Justin Turner – Didn’t have one of his typical years, a bit of a down year for him, though it would a quality year for most. He hit .280 with 13 HRs, 36 Doubles, and 81 RBI Look for him to pick up his play as the playoffs begin.
Max Muncy – Muncy battled injuries for much of the year and it showed, but after the All-Star break he did end up finding his power swing down the stretch. On the year even with some struggles only hitting .197 he still managed to hit 21 HRs, 22 Doubles, driving in 69 RBI and can take the ball for a ride at any given at bat.
Will Smith – One of the best hitting catchers in all the MLB not only mans behind the plate but helps this offense score runs in bunches. He hit .262 on the year with 24 HRs, 26 Doubles, 87 RBI. He never seems rushed at the plate.
Chris Taylor – Missed some time with injury but the utility man for the Dodgers has a long history of big hits and good defense. He had some struggles at the plate this season hitting .221 but still stashed 25 Doubles, 10 HRs, 43 RBI.
Gavin Lux – Becoming every bit the prospect he was a couple years ago when the Dodgers refused to trade him. He came into his own this season finding his groove at the plate hitting .278 with 20 doubles, 7 triples, 6 HRs, 42 RBI. He had some nice stretches during the season as a very hard man to get out.
Cody Bellinger – Far removed from his MVP season he has found struggles at the plate only hitting .208 with 18 HRs, 27 Doubles, 14 steals. Still a big Lefty bat that can take the ball for a ride.
Trayce Thompson – When he got the call this season, he was finally ready for the moment after struggles the past couple of seasons. He broke out in a big way this year hitting .268 with 13 HRs, 14 Doubles, 39 RBI, 4 stolen bases in limited time this season.
St Louis Cardinals
Let’s start with the manager Oliver J. Marmol who is the youngest manager in the MLB at only 36. Lack of experience and pitching might hurt in the playoffs.
The Pitching Staff
Adam Wainwright – The old Vet has been the ace of this staff for years; he had some up and down moments this season but still managed to go 11-12 with a 3.71 ERA he keeps the ball in the yard and has played in big games before.
Miles Mikolas – He has been the best pitcher on the staff this season going 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA. Will need to find another level come playoff time
Jordan Montgomery – Has been solid since being traded from the Yankees posting a 5-6 with a 3.11 ERA striking out 61 in 63 innings
Jose Quintana – Great pick up at the trade deadline he’s been amazing for them since the trade going 4-3 with a 2.01 ERA, they are going to need him to continue his play.
The Starting Lineup
Dylan Carlson – Injuries didn’t help but he struggled in his 2nd full season on the Cards only hitting .235 with 8 HRs, 42 RBI. His 30 doubles show he can still get into scoring position with 1 swing of the bat.
Brendan Donovan – The prospect played fantastic his 1st season in the lineup hitting even if he didn’t show the power numbers. He hit .281 with 5 HRs, 21 Doubles, 45 RBI but a very impressive 60 walks to 70 Ks shows an ability to get on base, with a quality eye for the strike zone.
Tommy Edman – The man at the top of the lineup that needs to get on base for the big bats. He hit .262 with 13 HRs, 30 Doubles, 56 RBI, leading the team with 31 stolen bases.
Paul Goldschmidt – What can I say about this man that you don’t already know? He did it for years in Arizona – for the Cardinals has been nothing different. This year’s NL MVP was
fantastic this season Hitting .317, with 35 HRs, 41 Doubles, 115 RBI while still stealing 7 bags not being caught. The pressure is all on him and Nolan to take this team anywhere.
Nolan Arenado – Just another season for the gold glove 3rd baseman with 30 HRs, 102 RBI, 42 doubles, .292 Avg. The middle of this lineup has to do all the damage so far, they have been up to the task can it carry over to the playoffs?
Lars Nootbaar – The rookie has had some highs and lows this season but overall plays with an excitement that’s just fun to watch. He only hit .226 but brought in 14 HRs 15 Doubles, 40 RBI and showed a great eye at the plate walking 50 times to only 71 strike outs.
Tyler O’Neill – On the IR something he has battled all season after Fantasy owners were disappointed after last year’s breakout season. He still managed a .228 Avg with 14 HRs, 11 doubles, 14 steals, 58 RBIs in limited time.
Albert Pujols – What can you say about the living legend? on his way out the door he wanted to go out with a bang and well, he has so far. Hitting .270 with 24 HRs, 14 Doubles 68 RBIs. The only thing that would make this final season any better would be ending it with another ring.
Yadier Molina – One of the greatest catchers to ever live was banged up a lot and only played in 77 games this season. Its more for what he does behind the plate than he does at the plate. On the season he only hit .215, 5 HRs, 8 Doubles, 24 RBI.
Atlanta Braves
Let’s start with the manager Brian Snitker leader of last year’s World Series Champion Atlanta Braves leads them back to the playoffs for a chance at a repeat.
The Pitching Staff
Max Fried – The Ace of this staff Fried has only gotten better as the year went on posting a 14-7 with a 2.48 Era striking out 170 in 185 innings. While he might not strike out players at the rate many do, he keeps the ball in the park an makes hitters hit his pitches.
Kyle Wright – The young 20 game winner was impressive in 2022 going 21-5 with a 3.19 ERA, much like Fried he relies heavy on great command and keeping the ball in the park.
Charlie Morton – The veteran leader of the pitching staff had struggles but held his own going 9-6 with a 4.34 Era but striking out 205 in 172 innings.
Spencer Strider – This kid has been everything he was advertised and more going 11-5 with a 2.67 ERA with filthy stuff striking out 202 in 131 innings. I am looking forward to seeing what he will do in his first playoffs.
The Starting Lineup
Ronald Acuna Jr – Struggled much of the year bouncing back after a serious injury, started to heat up at the right time heading into the playoffs. Don’t let the numbers fool you this dude is a game changer in every aspect. He hit .266 on the season with 15 HRs, 24 Doubles, 50 RBIs, stealing 29 bases.
Dansby Swanson – The man that carried the offense when everyone else was struggling this season, he has finally come in to his own this season hitting .277 with 25 HRs, 32 Doubles, 18 steals, 96 RBIs, he has been incredible since he was moved to the 2 hole.
Matt Olson – The man to replace Freeman was exactly what you expected him to be. A power/RBIs guy hitting .239 with 33 HRs, 43 Doubles, 101 RBIs.
Travis d’Arnaud – The man behind the plate was also great at the plate this season bringing much needed offense to this Braves team Hitting .268 with 18 HRs, 25 Doubles and producing 60 RBIs.
Austin Riley – I don’t think anyone on this team is more important than Riley and the strides he’s made to be a complete player. He’s above avg defender that has a great offensive game. On the year he hit .273 with 38 HRs, 39 Doubles, 93 RBI.
Michael Harris – This rookie was ready for the moment and hit the ground running. I honestly don’t think there is anything this kid can’t do I was so impressed by his entire game. He just missed the 20/20 club Hitting .297 with 19 HRs, 24 Doubles, 21 steals while producing 64 RBI from the bottom of the lineup.
Vaughn Grissom – The other impressive rookie who got the call when Albies went down with injury gave the team a much-needed boost in 40 games he hit .290 with 5 HRs, 5 Doubles, 5 steals, 17 RBI.
Marcell Ozuna – After missing all last season he has some highs and some lows this season. He hit .222 With 22 HRs, 18 Doubles, 53 RBIs.
Robbie Grossman – Traded from the Tigers before the deadline has been a key piece to the Atlanta out-fielding rotation. Since the trade he has hit .209 5 HRs, 4 Doubles, 22 RBI while stealing 3 bags in 40 games on the Braves.
William Contreras – The backup catcher and part time outfielder was fantastic this season for the Braves going .275, 20 HRs, 13 Doubles, 45 RBI.