Mark the date. September 30th, 2020. September 30th will feature eight (EIGHT!!!) playoff games. Game 2s of an exciting AL Wild Card and the opening games of the 2020 NL Wild Card will occur over the span of about 12 hours. As a baseball fan, this will be the most exciting day of baseball I will ever watch. The National League fields the best team in baseball and two or three other teams that have aspirations of toppling their dreams. The 2020 NL Wild Card has all you could hope for and more, below are the matchups and who seems to have the edge in each series.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves
The Cincinnati Reds rode a top tier starting rotation to their first playoff appearance since 2013. Trevor Bauer had a Cy Young caliber season and Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray carried over their success from last season. Bauer, Castillo, and Gray form a strong top of the rotation that is capable of frustrating opponents and keeping their team in close games. The Reds offense struggled in 2020 with Joey Votto continuing to show his age and Eugenio Suarez unable to keep up his all-star caliber season of 2018 and 2019.
The Atlanta Braves won the NL East for the third straight season in 2020 behind strong seasons from superstars Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuna Jr and a career year from new signing Marcel Ozuna. A strong bullpen backed a starting rotation that struggled with injuries and inconsistency. Starter Max Fried ascended to become a true ace in 2020 and will anchor the rotation in the postseason.
Who has the edge
The Braves were one of the most consistent teams in the league all season. With more star power than their opponent, they should be able to advance to the NLDS and challenge for the National League pennant.
Miami Marlins vs. Chicago Cubs
For the first time since winning the World Series in 2003, the Miami Marlins have made the postseason. The Marlins made the playoffs with an astounding 37 pitchers make at least one appearance and 13 different pitchers make a start. Rookie Sixto Sanchez proved why he was a top prospect that garnered comparisons to Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez and closer Brandon Kintzler brought a calming presence to the back of the Marlins bullpen.
Just a year removed from parting ways with former manager Joe Maddon, the Chicago Cubs, led by rookie manager David Ross, made their way back to the playoffs. With bottom half rankings in homeruns, average, and OPS, the Cubs relied on a starting rotation that featured Cy Young candidate Yu Darvish and veteran Kyle Hendricks. A bullpen that was led by a resurgent Jeremy Jeffress backed their strong rotation and will give David Ross plenty of options in the postseason
Who has the edge
One of the most interesting stats in baseball history is that the Marlins have never lost a playoff series. The Marlins have been to the postseason on two occasions and won the World Series both times. The last time the Cubs and Marlins met in the postseason, well, this happened.
In the end, the Cubs are the more talented team, should handle the Marlins and advance to the NLDS.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. San Diego Padres
The St. Louis Cardinals overcame a two-week hiatus very early in the season due to COVID-19 but were able to bounce back to finish second in the NL Central. Paul Goldschmidt played like a superstar and carried an offense that dealt with struggles from Matt Carpenter and Dexter Fowler. Ace Jack Flaherty struggled to find a rhythm in 2020. However, South Korean rookie Kwang Hyun Kim had a productive season as did the ageless wonder Adam Wainwright. The bullpen had five relievers with an ERA below three and six relievers recorded a save.
The San Diego Padres are in the playoffs for the first time since 2006 and they seem to be destined for many more postseason appearances in the future. Manny Machado looked like the superstar they Padres signed two seasons ago and Fernando Tatis Jr. built on his success from his rookie season. The top of the starting rotation of Dinelson Lamet and Zach Davies was reinforced by Mike Clevinger at the trade deadline and Drew Pomeranz was solid at the back of the bullpen after Kirby Yates was lost for the season.
Who has the edge
This is the most evenly matched series in the National League and a very good example of a perennial playoff contender against the young upstarts. The Padres have just enough veteran pieces to ensure that the moment will not be too big for the young core.
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
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The Milwaukee Brewers got nothing from superstar Christian Yelich but were still able to make the postseason for the third straight year. Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes led the rotation with Josh Hader and rookie Devin Williams giving elite production out of the bullpen.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were the class of the MLB all season and proved it with a 43-17 record. The Dodgers led the league in homeruns and team ERA and are the favorite to win the World Series. Corey Seager and Mookie Betts had great years to make up for Cody Bellinger’s struggles. Clayton Kershaw turned back the clock and delivered his best season in years and Dustin May and Walker Buehler continued to prove they belong in the conversation of the league’s elite.
Who has the Edge
The Dodgers are head and shoulders the best team in the National League. They will give a dominant showing in the Wild Card round against the struggling Brewers.
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