Phillies: NL East rivals’ warts for 2020

Despite the doubts:

While the Phillies faithful bemoan the five-man staff, their NL East foes also have four counted-on starters for ’20. And they’ll have a question mark every fifth day as well, plus those fans will fault their GM like the locals with Klentak, who could tab southpaw Ranger Suarez.

At the bullpen’s back end, Neris and Dominguez will pitch the critical innings; but Morgan, Arano, Alvarez, Velasquez, Pivetta and Stock could fill the remaining seats. No, it’s not a lights-out relief corps, but –if they’re healthy– it’s not a disaster either. Plus Atlanta, Washington and New York (NL) have their own pen question marks.

While the Nats will miss Rendon, the Braves’ offense will be weaker without Donaldson, and the Mets hitters are streaky. Locally, Didi Gregorius in the five hole will contribute to crooked numbers on the scoreboard and excitement on the base paths. Plus the left-right lineup balance will be a benefit with the new three-batter rule.

Financially, the Metropolitans and Phils must move salary to ink a free agent or trade nearly equal AAV dollars to improve their active 25. But the Nationals and Braves are in limbo until Donaldson signs for $25 million AAV, so Washington has AAV payroll space otherwise.

Like ’19, it will be a four-team race for the division crown, and organizations with healthy stars will have the advantage, while the injury-plagued clubs will play for an NL Wild Card berth. But what will the main difference on Opening Day be between 2020 and 2019? The new Roaring Twenties!