With a quarter of the MLB season behind us, trends are starting to take shape — and for some National League teams, those trends are more troubling than encouraging.
Whether it’s slumping stars, crumbling bullpens, or just plain bad luck, there’s a red flag flying for every club per Yardbarker. Let’s tour the National League and spotlight what’s got each fan base biting its nails.
Atlanta Braves (24–23): Michael Harris II’s Offensive Struggles
After breaking records with 307 homers a couple of seasons ago, the Braves’ offense has fallen into a deep fog — and Michael Harris II is right in the thick of it. The dynamic center fielder has managed just a .597 OPS and 13 extra-base hits over 196 plate appearances. It’s not all his fault, but Harris’ lack of development into a middle-of-the-order threat is one reason the offense feels like a shell of its former self.
Miami Marlins (18–27): Sandy Alcantara’s Collapse
Sandy Alcantara was expected to be a trade chip or a stabilizing force — instead, he’s limping through the season with a 7.99 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. His best performances have come against weaker teams, and his value is sinking fast. This is a blow with long-term consequences for a team already on shaky ground.
New York Mets (29–18): Juan Soto’s Sluggish Start
The Mets are flying high in the standings, but Juan Soto’s underwhelming numbers are hard to ignore. He’s hitting .246 with eight homers and just 20 RBIs — far off from last year’s early dominance. His OPS sits at .822, but the bar is much higher for a superstar in New York. The pressure is mounting.
Philadelphia Phillies (28–18): A Hole in the Bullpen
The Phillies’ bullpen took a massive hit with the 80-game PED suspension of Jose Alvarado. With a team ERA of 4.57 in relief, this group was already underperforming. They’ll be tested even more as they try to survive without their top lefty.
Washington Nationals (21–27): No Power Outside Abrams and Wood
Washington’s lineup is light on thump. CJ Abrams and James Wood are carrying the power load, with slugging percentages over .500, but the Nationals are flat beyond them. Adding a veteran slugger could help, but this team is leaning too heavily on its young core right now.
Arizona Diamondbacks (25–22): Bullpen Blues
The D-backs prioritized bullpen improvement in the offseason, but it hasn’t paid off. Their relievers have a 5.34 ERA, one of the worst in baseball. This flaw could undo Arizona’s playoff hopes, no matter how strong the rest of the roster looks.
Colorado Rockies (8–38): Brenton Doyle’s Freefall
Defense? Still elite. Offense? Yikes. Brenton Doyle is hitting .203 for the season and .125 over his last 56 at-bats. For a team desperately needing bright spots, Doyle’s offensive regression is yet another drag on a Rockies squad already buried in the standings.
Los Angeles Dodgers (29–18): Rotation Woes
The Dodgers built a monster rotation in the offseason — and then watched injuries pile up. Roki Sasaki, Tyler Glasnow, and Blake Snell are all on the shelf, leaving L.A. to patch holes and test their depth. It’s working for now, but how long can they hold the line?
San Diego Padres (27–18): A Black Hole in Left Field
Seven different players have tried their luck in left field for the Padres. Combined, they’ve posted a minus-1.1 Wins Above Average, ranking near the bottom in MLB. For a team with postseason ambitions, that’s a lineup spot they simply can’t afford to leave vacant.
San Francisco Giants (28–19): Jordan Hicks’ Role Reversal
Jordan Hicks was brought in to start games, not leave them early. Now, with a 6.55 ERA, he’s been sent back to the bullpen, and the Giants are left scrambling to fill his rotation spot. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a $44 million investment.
Chicago Cubs (28–19): Always Playing Catch-Up
Even when they win, the Cubs seem to be fighting from behind. They’ve trailed in seven of their last ten games and four of their last five. It hasn’t sunk them yet, but consistently falling into early deficits isn’t a sustainable way to win, especially come summer.
Cincinnati Reds (24–24): Left Field is Musical Chairs
Seven different players have rotated through left field in just 48 games. That level of instability has made it tough to generate consistent production, and while the Reds have promising pieces, left field remains a gaping hole in the everyday lineup.
Milwaukee Brewers (22–25): Offense Has Gone Missing
Milwaukee’s bats have gone cold. In May, they’re hitting just .184 with 10 home runs and 38 RBIs through 16 games. They’ve been shut out in four of their last six — a troubling trend for a team that was expected to compete in a wide-open NL Central.
Pittsburgh Pirates (15–32): Paul Skenes Is Being Wasted
Paul Skenes has a 2.44 ERA and is pitching like a budding ace. Unfortunately, the Pirates can’t score for him. He’s just 3–5 despite being one of the league’s best young starters. Without offensive help, the Pirates are squandering a special talent.
St. Louis Cardinals (26–21): Winning Their Way Into a Corner
Here’s a weird one — the Cardinals’ winning ways might actually be a problem. The team was expected to sell off pieces like Nolan Arenado and start a rebuild. But now, with a strong start, that plan’s on ice. If they fall short of October without making moves, they’ll be stuck between contending and rebuilding — the most dangerous place to be.
The NL Has Its Problems
The season’s still young, but these trends are gaining traction. Whether it’s a key player underperforming or a roster flaw growing louder by the day, every NL team has something to worry about. The question now: Who will fix their problems before it’s too late?
