National League power rankings: Who’s the team to beat?

The National League will be up for grabs in a shortened 2020 MLB season.

The Washington Nationals enter the 2020 MLB season as the defending World Series champions in what will be the most unique season ever played. It will be a 60-game sprint and teams expected to be at the bottom of the standings could surprise us all and sneak into the postseason.

The surprises are sure to come. But since this is a unique year, the power rankings will begin in a more traditional manner before the insanity ensues.

NL West

5. San Francisco Giants

The Giants have not been to the postseason since 2016, which was also the team’s last winning season. Buster Posey has decided not to play this year and Madison Bumgarner is now playing in Arizona. All-Stars like Evan Longoria and Brandon Belt remain but expect another tough year for the Giants.

4. Colorado Rockies

The Rockies are in a weird position. The team seemed to go all-in by giving Nolan Arenado his money, only to dangle him in trades this offseason. Are the Rockies committed to winning or was his deal just a ploy to make him easier to trade? The drama won’t help the team much in 2020.

3. San Diego Padres

The Padres have been out of the playoffs since 2006 and have not had a winning season since 2010. Perhaps the duo of Eric Hosmer and Manny Machado can make the team a dark-horse contender and get the Padres over the .500 mark.

2. Arizona Diamondbacks

The D-Backs have been good, but not great the last few seasons. They stand out as a team fighting for a Wild Card spot in a division filled with several teams just trying to figure out how to win.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are the obvious choice here. Mookie Betts will actually play in a Dodgers uniform and the team will take on the Houston Astros in regular-season action. That is enough drama to have fans excited in a year when no one will be allowed to boo the Astros in person.