Even before we get to the halfway point of the MLB season, it's clear that in the National League, it's going to be a showdown between the Dodgers and Phillies in 2024.
That doesn't mean one of these teams will eventually win the pennant. However, it is clear that both are strong World Series contenders and the top two teams in the National League this season.
Discussing the Dodgers vs Phillies as the best team in the NL
But between the two teams, who deserves to be considered the team that will be defeated in the National League currently? Are they the Phillies or the Dodgers? We decided to do a deep dive into both teams to name an early winner in the Phillies vs. Dodgers debate.
rotation
Surprisingly, the Phillies have had the advantage in starting pitching so far. Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola have been good as usual, but guard Suarez is the star of the roster and the front-runner for the Cy Young. Christopher Sanchez was also great, giving the Phillies four excellent homers despite some lingering questions about the fifth spot.
The Dodgers have been good but not quite at the same level despite having four starters who have already had at least five wins. Youngster Gavin Stone is having a breakout season alongside ace Tyler Glasnow while Yoshinobu Yamamoto is starting to settle in during his first season in Major League Baseball. Los Angeles also has James Paxton, who is having a solid but unspectacular season. But like the Phillies, the fifth spot has not been cemented, as Walker Buehler has yet to get back on track after missing it all of last year.
Bull barn
The Phillies may have the best rotation era in baseball, but it's the Dodgers who have the superior bullpen right now. Evan Phillips has been off as a closer while Alex Vescia and Daniel Hudson have been almost as good. Veterans like Blake Treinen and Ryan Yarbrough also give the Dodgers good depth in their bullpen.
To be fair, the Phillies were almost as good. Jeff Hoffman and Jose Alvarado have both closed out games, although Matt Strahm may have a better season than both. The Phillies are also thrilled with what they are getting from 23-year-old Orion Kerkering. However, outside of that quartet, things start to unravel despite the presence of familiar names like Ceranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto.
a crime
This class is pretty close, but the Phillies get the edge because of their depth. After winning his salary arbitration case last winter, Alec Bohm is looking like an All-Star. Meanwhile, it looks like Bryce Harper could make an argument for MVP. Even with Nick Castellanos struggling, JT Realmuto having a mediocre season, and Trea Turner on the IL, the Phillies have a dynamic offense. Kyle Schwarber is still doing what he does best — drawing walks and home runs — while utility players like Bryson Stott and Edmundo Sosa have been consistent contributors who have contributed to the depth of Philly's lineup.
To be fair, the top half of Los Angeles' lineup is better than any team in baseball. Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani are both in the MVP conversation at this point in the season. Behind them, Freddie Freeman still produces as one of the greatest first basemen of all time. Additionally, Will Smith looks like the best player in baseball, while Teoscar Hernandez provides plenty of power as well. The problem with the Dodgers is that they don't have much going for the bottom half of the order with Gavin Lux, Enrique Hernandez, Chris Taylor and others all having disappointing offensive seasons.
Judgment
In a Dodgers vs. Phillies argument in 2024, the edge now belongs to Philadelphia. The Phillies have an absolutely dominant rotation and a lineup that is among the best in baseball despite the lack of a healthy Turner or Castellanos' production. Even if the bullpen could use more depth, that's not a big issue right now.
To be fair, the Dodgers have multiple MVP candidates and several notable pitchers on the IL who could return during the second half of the season. This gives Los Angeles a huge lead when all is said and done, meaning the Dodgers could be at their best when the playoffs arrive. But based on the season to this point, the Phillies are undoubtedly the team to beat in the National League.
