NL best-case scenarios: Why Braves, Cubs have high ceilings

The Major League Baseball season will open in Tokyo on March 17-18 with a two-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs. The other big-league teams, meanwhile, will open their seasons later in March. Ahead of Opening Day, Yardbarker MLB writers offer a best-case scenario record for every team in the National League. NL East ATLANTA BRAVES ( Best-case record:  97-65) | With the return of right fielder and 2023 NL MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. and ace Spencer Strider, the Braves will ideally reclaim the division they've won 18 times. A healthy Atlanta can contend with just about anybody in the league. MIAMI MARLINS ( Best-case record:  54-108) | A playoff team in 2023, the Marlins are set to lose 100 games for the second straight season. Anything less than 100 losses would be ideal for this inexperienced club that’s severely lacking in star power, with the exception of former NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara. NEW YORK METS ( Best-case record:  86-76) |  You know what they say: Pitching wins c