McAdam: A look at the NL East opponents on the Red Sox' schedule

Interleague play isn't anything new. It's been a staple of the Major League Baseball schedule since 1997.

But never before has it played such an outsized role in a season -- until now.

In an effort to limit travel during the pandemic, MLB has implemented a 60-game schedule in which, for the first time ever, teams won't play a single intraleague opponent from outside their own division. So, no regular-season meetings with the Twins or Tigers or A's or Angels -- and others -- for the Red Sox.

However, teams will play the corresponding division from the other league. AL East teams will play NL East clubs, AL Central teams with square off with NL Central teams ... and so on.

It's unknown, for now, exactly how many interleague games will be played. But if it's only one three-game series with each of the five teams in the other league, that's still a total of 15 games, or a full quarter of the 60-game schedule. That's considerable.

To help get prepared, we're taking a look at the five National League East opponents that will pop up on Boston's 2020 schedule:

1. WASHINGTON NATIONALS

How good/bad are they? Very good. As in the best, given that they won the 2019 World Series. On the difficulty scale, 1-10, the Nationals rate a solid 9.

Strengths: Starting pitching. The Nationals' rotation boasts Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin -- as talented a Big Three as any team in the big leagues. A talented athletic outfield features two of games best 25-and-under stars: Juan Soto and Victor Robles. The back end of the bullpen is imposing with Sean Dolittle, Will Harris and Daniel Hudson.

Weaknesses: The infield offers some depth and flexibility, but is also aging: Eric Thames, Ryan Zimmerman, Howie Kendrick and Asdrubal Cabrera are all 34 or older and that could be a bigger factor than usual in a quick-to-ramp-up season. Also, the Nationals lost third baseman Anthony Rendon, arguably their best overall player.

Player to watch: Soto

Overall: The starting pitching alone is enough to give teams nightmares. It's likely this is the second most-talented roster the Red Sox will face in 2020.

2. ATLANTA BRAVES

How good/bad are they? Very good. The Braves actually beat out the Nationals by four games to win the NL East title last year before being eliminated in the NLDS by the St. Louis Cardinals. On the difficulty scale, the Braves also rate a 9.

Strengths: Like the Nationals, the Braves have a core of great young homegrown players, led by Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies. Defensively, they're extremely skilled, especially up the middle with Albies and Dansby Swanson as the double-play combo and Ender Inciarte. The bullpen was bolstered in-season last year and remains deep.

Weaknesses: The rotation is strong overall, but other than newly-added Cole Hamels, it lacks big-game experience. Josh Donaldson left via free agency and the Braves will miss his run production and leadership.

Player to watch: Acuna Jr.

Overall: Like the Nationals, a series with the Braves will be no picnic, although the rotation isn't quite as imposing.

3. NEW YORK METS

How good/bad are they? The potential is there to be pretty good. But there are some definite holes in the roster and it would seem that third place is their ceiling. On the difficulty scale, let's give them a 6.5.

Strengths: Even without Noah Syndergaard (out following Tommy John surgery), the Mets still are in good shape here with two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman and old friend Rick Porcello. Pete Alonso (club record 53 homers as a rookie) gives them plus-plus power at first base and the likes of Michael Conforto and Jeff McNeil help lengthen the lineup.

Weaknesses: The bullpen was a disaster last year and the Mets are left hoping that Edwin Diaz can somehow be salvaged at the closer's spot.

Player to watch: Alonso

Overall: Similar to the Red Sox, the Mets are coming off a season in which their win total was in the mid-80s and head into this year with a new manager (Luis Rojas). As such, like the Sox themselves, it's hard to predict what they'll be like in such an unusual season.

4. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

How good/bad are they? Two years ago, they won 80 games. Last year, they won 81. Get the picture? On the difficulty scale, let's give them a 5.

Strengths: The Phillies, for the second straight offseason, were active over the winter, adding Zach Wheeler to bolster the rotation and shortstop Didi Gregorius to solidify the infield. Add in Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto and Aaron Nola and there's some pretty good star power here. New manager Joe Girardi brings presence and experience.

Weaknesses: There's not a lot of depth in the rotation, especially if Jake Arietta doesn't rebound. The bullpen is suspect, too, beyond closer Hector Neris. The Phils have little team speed to speak of.

Player to watch: Harper

Overall: The expectation is that the Phils will be better prepared under Giardi. But unless they get unexpected contributions from the back end of their rotation and bullpen, it's hard to imagine them being a factor in the race this season.

5. MIAMI MARLINS

How good/bad are they? Bad. Really bad. Like, potentially "worst team in baseball'' bad. On the degree-of-difficulty scale, let's give them a 2.

Strengths: Let's see ... the catching spot is pretty good with the duo of Jorge Alfaro and Francisco Cervelli. And Corey Dickerson and Brian Anderson provide decent production at the corner outfield spots.

Weaknesses: The rotation is, in a word, putrid. Yes, it's young, but there's a real question of how many of these arms are major league caliber even allowing for the inexperience factor.

Player to watch: You tell me.

Overall: For the Red Sox, the biggest issue may be overconfidence. But from a sheer talent perspective, these games look like mismatches on paper.