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)
As the MLB season begins, I want to take a look at the biggest key to each teams success this season. So here is one key for every National League team as the season starts:
Atlanta Braves
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 14: Spencer Strider #65 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning in game three of the National League Division Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 14, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Spencer Strider needs to return healthy and regain his Cy Young form.
Philadelphia Phillies
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 22: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies after hitting a two-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on August 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Harper needs to have an MVP caliber season
New York Mets
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 30: Kodai Senga #34 of the New York Mets reacts after striking out Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies to end the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on May 30, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Senga needs to make 20+ starts and be the Mets ace
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)
The Nats young hitters need to take the next step in their development
Miami Marlins
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 30: Sandy Alcantara #22 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch against the New York Mets during the first inning on Opening Day at loanDepot park on March 30, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Sandy Alcantara needs to be an ace again and then the Marlins need to trade him for a haul.
Chicago Cubs
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 01: Shota Imanaga #18 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates after retiring the side in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies during his MLB debut at Wrigley Field on April 01, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Imanaga has to replicate his 2024 season.
Milwaukee Brewers
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 04: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers singles during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during Game Two of the Wild Card Series at American Family Field on October 04, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Yelich needs to stay healthy and be a leader
Cincinnati Reds
CINCINNATI, OHIO – APRIL 22: Hunter Greene #21 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park on April 22, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)+
Hunter Greene needs to become a legitimate SP1
St. Louis Cardinals
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 09: Ryan Helsley #56 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates an 8-5 win against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on August 09, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Helsley needs to be dominant all season.
Pittsburgh Pirates
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – JUNE 11: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium on June 11, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Skenes has to stay healthy and the rest of the Pirates starters need to step up behind him.
Los Angeles Dodgers
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 4: Roki Sasaki #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch in the fifth inning during a spring training game against the Cincinnati Reds at Camelback Ranch on March 4, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)
Monitor Sasaki’s innings and make sure he is healthy come playoff time.
Arizona Diamondbacks
CHICAGO, IL – JULY 20: Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Gallen and Burnes need to be one of the best 1-2 punches in MLB.
San Diego Padres
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – MARCH 21: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres hits a grounder resulting in a fielding error of Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 3rd inning during the 2024 Seoul Series game between San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers at Gocheok Sky Dome on March 21, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
Tatis Jr. needs to play 150+ games and contend for NL MVP.
San Francisco Giants
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 16: Robbie Ray (23) of the San Francisco plays catch during the workout at Scottsdale Stadium on February 16, 2024 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Andy Kuno/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images)
Robbie Ray has to remain healthy and be the a solid number 2 behind Logan Webb.
Colorado Rockies
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 30: Ryan McMahon #24 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates in the dugout after scoring in the second inning from a balk from Garrett Crochet of the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 30, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
