The 2024 Major League Baseball season is underway, and a lot has already happened. For one, a bombshell gambling scandal involving the league’s most talented player, a heated boycott and massive tailgate party with one of the most historic teams in the sport, oh, and we have already seen a no-hitter thrown. Before any more action goes down in the 2024 season, I want to make sure I get my season awards and predictions out of the way. Here are my 2024 National League predictions.
Division Winners
- NL East: Atlanta Braves
- NL Central: Chicago Cubs
- NL West: Los Angeles Dodgers
- Wildcard: Giants, Diamondbacks, Phillies
NLCS:
Los Angeles Dodgers over Atlanta Braves in 7
This could be the actual “World Series” as I think the Braves could likely take any team in the American League. The Braves have built an incredible roster over the years that somehow gets better despite losing many star players to free agency. They have one of the best overall players and best pitchers in the game, but the Dodgers added too much this offseason. Between Ohtani and Yamamoto, they will be too good to take down in 7 games.
World Series:
Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees in 5
The Dodgers had Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman before they added Ohtani, Yamamoto and Teoscar Hernandez. They will mash at Yankee Stadium and take the home field advantage away. This is a make it or break it year for LA and there is no reason to think they shouldn’t be holding the commissioner’s trophy when this is all said and done.
NL MVP:
Mookie Betts – Los Angeles Dodgers
What is there to not like about Mookie now that he has the best lineup in baseball backing him up. As a leadoff hitter, he is going to get on base nonstop and he is going to score a lot of runs for this ball club. He can steal some bases, hit for power, hit for average, and he can play any position in the field. He is downright the most important player to any team in baseball which is exactly what this award spells out.
NL Cy Young:
Zac Gallen – Arizona Diamondbacks
Gallen placed third in Cy Young voting last year but I think he really steps up this year and makes a major name for himself in the desert. He has nasty stuff and dominates from the right side. A year ago, he had a 1.12 WHIP which was higher than what he posted in 2022. He is no fluke, and he is only getting better.
NL Rookie of the Year:
Jung Hoo Lee – San Francisco Giants
It looks like the Giants made one of the best moves of the offseason by grabbing Korean star Jung Hoo Lee who won an MVP in the KBO. Lee is a special player who is going to hit lead off and get plenty of chances to get on base and make a difference. He has a perfect swing for Oracle Park and that should pay dividends for him in the power category.
NL Manager of the Year:
Craig Counsell – Chicago Cubs
Counsell made a risky move by taking over the Cubs job for way more money as the team pushed out David Ross. Counsell has set the new manager salary standard. The Cubs roster is just okay so he will really be challenged and tested.