NAT IONAL LEAGUE

1 CINCINNAT I REDS + 340 DIV ............+ 4000 WS

BEST CASE Frankie Montas, like another ex-yankee, Sonny Gray, finds new life in Cincinnati. Andrew Abbott and a surprisingly strong rotation help the Reds take the division.

WORST CASE The Reds regret not using their surplus of hitters to acquire more arms, as Montas breaks down and their young starters continue to allow too many home runs.

2 CHICAGO CUBS + 180 DIV .............+ 3300 WS

BEST CASE Cody Bellinger picks up where he left off after re- signing with the club, SP Justin Steele shows he’s no one-year wonder and Craig Counsell leads a playoff run.

WORST CASE Despite signing Japanese lefty Shota Imanaga and setup man Hector Neris, the pitching isn’t enough, and Chicago again falls just short of the postseason.

3 MI LWAUK E E BREWERS +700 DIV ............ +7000 WS

BEST CASE

Top prospect Jackson Chourio sparks a long- stale offense for new manager Pat Murphy while a pitching staff long on depth and short on stars hangs tough.

WORST CASE Free agent signings 1B Rhys Hoskins and C Gary Sánchez fail to add much pop to the lineup, and Milwaukee finishes below .500 for the first time in a full season since 2016.

4 ST. LOUIS CARDINALS + 185 DIV .............+ 3300 WS

BEST CASE Veteran starters bring stability to the rotation while young batters separate themselves from a position-player logjam to help the Cardinals go from worst to first.

WORST CASE The gamble on aging pitchers fails. 3B Nolan Arenado has another subpar year, leading to the franchise’s first consecutive losing seasons since 1994–95.

5 PI T TSBURGH PIRATES + 1600 DIV ...........+ 8000 WS

BEST CASE

SS Oneil Cruz and former No. 1 pick C Henry Davis usher in a new era of optimism, as a strong start convinces the front office to buy at the trade deadline.

WORST CASE Pittsburgh’s rebuild hits a nasty bump as 3B Ke’bryan Hayes regresses at the plate and the Pirates return to the NL Central cellar, prompting a rash of firings.