Mets, Braves, Phillies, and more: May predictions for the NL East

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The National League East was one of baseball’s most exciting divisions in the 2022 regular season and postseason. The Braves and Mets finished with 101 wins each, and Phillies won the National League. Meanwhile, the Marlins and Nationals have an abundance of young talent while trying to work their way up the NL East standings.

In 2023, the month of April proved to be just as exciting as the previous season, as every team has bright spots on their roster. However, it is time to make some predictions for each team in the NL East for the month of May. Let’s start with the Nationals.

NL East bold prediction — Washington Nationals

The Nationals are 9-16 at the time I am writing this article. Nobody expected Washington to make any noise this season. However, certainly their fans would like better from them in May and for the rest of the season. In the Month of May, the Washington Nationals will get key contributions from C.J. Abrams and Dom Smith, and my prediction is that Dom Smith will hit his first home run in nearly two years, and the first baseman will lead the club with seven round-trippers during the month of May.

Apr 28, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez (3) looks on while running toward first base after a getting walked during the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /

NL East bold prediction — Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins are an interesting team to talk about. Their pitching is great, leading the way with reigning Cy Young winner in the NL Sandy Alcantara, and Jesus Luzardo is having a breakout season thus far. Currently, the Marlins are 14-13, which is better than many people would have expected given their roster breakdown and the lack of offense in Miami. Still, the Marlins, led by general manager Kim Ng, added some pieces in the winter, headlined by trading for the current NL batting average leader, Luis Arraez. My prediction for the Marlins in the month of May is that Arraez will lead the NL in batting average for the entire month, hitting a red hot .400 on the button.

NL East bold prediction — Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies, like the Marlins, are quite the ball club to talk about. Coming off an NL pennant and adding Trea Turner in the offseason has fans in the City of Brotherly Love filled with excitement for the rest of the season. However, the Phillies are just one game over .500 at the time of this writing, which is not what fans expected at all from the reigning National League champions. Still, the Fightins have lots of reason to believe the tide will soon turn in south Philly. My prediction is the Phillies will finish 10 games over .500 in the month of May, and Trea Turner will soon be the player the Phillies paid for, hitting .300 with 10 homers in the month.

Apr 27, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) hits an RBI double in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /

NL East bold prediction — Atlanta Braves

At the time I am writing this, the Atlanta Braves sit at 18-9 with a three-game lead over second-place New York in the NL East. Atlanta has had key contributions from Matt Olson, Sean Murphy, and a bounce-back season so far from Ronald Acuña Jr. Spencer Strider and Max Fried have led the way on the pitching side for the team that calls Truist Park home. However, I believe the Braves are due for some regression, with Matt Olson’s strikeout rate catching up to him, and Spencer Strider becoming human soon. My prediction is the Braves will finish with a record below .500 in the month of May.

NL East bold prediction — New York Mets

The New York Mets are 15-12, three games back of first-place Atlanta at the time I am writing this. The month of April has been pretty crazy for New York as, with Max Scherzer suspended and Justin Verlander injured, Jose Butto and Joey Luchessi have toed the slab for the team in Queens. However, with Verlander and Scherzer due back very soon, and Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil continuing to produce, I believe the Mets will have a great May. My prediction for the Mets in the month of may is the best record in baseball, with Lindor and McNeil each hitting above .300 in the month.

There you have it, my bold predictions for every team in the NL East in the month of May. This piece was fun to write, and I am looking forward to seeing how accurate these predictions are come June.

Next. Bold predictions for May for the AL East. dark

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