Locked On MLB - Daily Podcast On Major League Baseball

“NL East Arms Race”-Can the East beat the West?

Mar 23, 2026

A deep dive into the NL’s pitching surge and how rotation depth could reshape the 2026 playoff chase. The Mets’ stacked staff and the Phillies’ big-extension strategy get examined. Atlanta’s injury questions and elite offense are highlighted. The show looks at balanced schedules, early-season swings, and the looming clash with the Dodgers for NL supremacy.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Mets Pitching Depth Could Carry 162 Games

The Mets emphasize rotation depth over just top-end names, listing arms like Kodai Senga, Freddy Peralta, David Peterson, and Nolan McLean.
New York projects roughly a 90-win club driven by deep pitching and a Soto-led lineup.

INSIGHT

Balance Of Pitching And Offense Shapes Mets Projection

The Mets pair strong rotation depth with a bolstered bullpen (Devin Williams, Clay Holmes) and lineup pieces (Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor).
Projections cluster them in the high 80s to ~90 wins with late-season form deciding outcomes.

INSIGHT

Braves Offense Keeps Them In The Mix Despite Injuries

The Braves remain dangerous offensively with Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Austin Riley despite rotation injury concerns.
Health will determine whether Atlanta can join the Mets and Phillies in the division race.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

In this episode of Back to the Bullpen, we dive into the growing pitching power in the National League and why it could shape the entire playoff race in 2026. The Mets are quietly building one of the deepest pitching staffs in baseball, proving that rotation depth — not just the top five starters — can carry a team through 162 games and into October. We break down why New York’s ability to run out quality arms deep into their rotation could make them a legitimate NL pennant contender.

We also look at the Phillies doubling down on their pitching core after locking up left-hander Cristopher Sánchez long-term, continuing a trend of investing heavily in starting pitching. Then we zoom out to the bigger picture in the NL East, where the Mets, Braves, and Phillies are all built to challenge the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers. With elite rotations, star-studded lineups, and multiple playoff-caliber teams in one division, the NL East may be the biggest obstacle standing between the Dodgers and another National League title. ⚾

National League heavyweights gear up to chase down the Los Angeles Dodgers’ dynasty. With the Dodgers eyeing a third straight World Series title, the Philadelphia Phillies extend Christopher Sanchez and lock in a powerhouse pitching rotation led by Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. The New York Mets counter with a deep pitching staff featuring Kodai Senga, Freddy Peralta, and Juan Soto anchoring the lineup. Can either juggernaut finally topple LA’s grip on the NL?

Brett Chancey and Mike Stanton break down the high-stakes battles ahead in the NL East and West, spotlighting injury challenges for the Atlanta Braves and how Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Doug Baldwin keep Atlanta dangerous. The hosts explore the grind of 162 games, how early-season mishaps haunt playoff hopes, and what it truly takes for teams to survive the chaos of Spring Training. Surprises loom—will a dark-horse contender emerge to shift the power balance?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.