The top 2 National League challengers to the Phillies in 2023

The Philadelphia Phillies have reloaded their roster and are ready to make another World Series run.

After an amazing playoff run that took the Phillies from the last wild-card spot to the National League pennant, expectations are high.

The Phillies made one of the biggest moves of the offseason by signing shortstop Trea Turner.

But, the National League will be highly competitive again in 2023.

There are 4-5 teams in the National League that could realistically win the pennant.

But here are the top two challengers for the Phillies in 2023.

1. San Diego Padres

The team that faced the Phillies in last year’s NLCS was the San Diego Padres.

The Padres will once again be a problem in the National League.

San Diego has been aggressive in free agency and they have an outstanding roster.

Joining Manny Machado and Juan Soto will be shortstop Xander Bogaerts.

Then, on April 20, the Padres will welcome back Fernando Tatis Jr.

Assuming this team can stay healthy, this could be the best lineup in baseball.

Here’s what the Padres look like right now pic.twitter.com/cHrK6upUs3

— Talking about baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) December 8, 2022

The Padres also have a good pitching staff with Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove.

With Josh Hader closing out games in 2023.

This team looks dangerous on paper, but they need to prove it on the field.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

The best baseball team in 2022 was the Los Angeles Dodgers with 111 wins

This team was elite at the plate and on the mound.

But they lost Turner to the Phillies in free agency.

The Dodgers are going to miss having Trea Turner dearly. I don’t know how to fill the roster hole he leaves and it’s hard considering he’s going to a team that will be a direct rival to LA in the playoffs. This is a brutal loss, whether Los Angeles fans want to admit it or not.

— Dusty Baker (@DustyBakerTV) December 5, 2022

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They still have Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and a host of very good complementary players.

In addition, their rotation is made up of Julio Urías, Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin and an experienced bullpen.

The NL West race will be very competitive with the Padres and Dodgers.

But both teams can compete with the Phillies if they heat up at the right time.