SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – MARCH 20: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a single in the 3rd inning during the 2024 Seoul Series game between Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome on March 20, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
With the MLB season about to begin, I thought it would be a fun exercise to take a look into the future and predict the next 10 National League Champions:
2025: Los Angeles Dodgers
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 01: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a two-run ground-rule double in the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium on May 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
They were the best team last year and have only gotten better via free agency and trades.
2026: New York Mets
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 26: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets reacts after scoring against the New York Yankees during the third inning at Citi Field on June 26, 2024 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
They are very good now, but lack starting pitching in 2025. By this time next season, they will spend big money to add big names and be a force.
2027: Los Angeles Dodgers
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 27: Yoshinobu Yamamoto speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at Dodger Stadium on December 27, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
After losing to the Mets in 2026, the Dodgers will bounce back and get back to another World Series.
2028: Chicago Cubs
They have been building something good in Chicago and have a very solid group of prospects. This team is good now but will be great in the next few years.
2029: New York Mets
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 12: Juan Soto of the New York Mets poses with his new uniform after his introductory press conference at Citi Field on December 12, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
They have Juan Soto for a long time, and that is going to always keep them competitive. They will win with him in 2026 and then again in 2029.
2030: Washington Nationals
FORT MYERS, FL- MARCH 10: James Wood #50 of the Washington Nationals bats during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on March 10, 2024 at the Lee County Sports Complex in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
The Nationals have a great young core of hitters; they just lack the established big-league arms. In the next few years, though, the arms will catch up to the bats, and they will be a big force in the NL.
2031: Atlanta Braves
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 06: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves hits a home run during the first inning against the Miami Marlins in Game One of the National League Division Series at Minute Maid Park on October 06, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Braves core is still relatively young, so by the time 2031 rolls around, they should still be in place, just much older. They have been good for over 30 years now, though, so they can contend any year.
2032: St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals are entering what should be a small rebuild. They have an aging roster and have had plenty of roster turnover. They will get worse before they get better, but they will be back on top by 2032.
2033: Washington Nationals
JUPITER, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 25: Dylan Crews #3 of the Washington Nationals at bat against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 25, 2024 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
That very good Nationals team from 2030 will still be very good in 2033 and make another World Series appearance.
2034: San Francisco Giants
The Giants haven’t been good since their World Series win in 2014, but they have money, a historic organization, and are now being led by Giants great Buster Posey. They will be a contender once again.
