National League East Predictions

I continue my preview and predictions of the upcoming Major League season with the National League East. This division featured two playoff teams, and one of them was not one anyone expected.  There are a few big questions to come back when it comes to the NLE. Will the Phillies bounce back after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2007? Can the Nationals continue their dominance after become the breakout team of 2012? And will the Mets and Marlins produce above .500 seasons?

1. The Atlanta Braves

The Braves finished with a 94-68 record, which was enough to clinch a trip to the wild card game. They failed to advanced past that game, losing to the St. Louis Cardinals on a blown infield fly rule, but the Braves are certainly taking steps in the right direction. In the off-season, they managed to sign both of the Upton brothers (Justin and B.J.) and also claimed David Carpenter off waivers.  The Uptons and Jason Heyward should provide a solid outfield and will also add some more danger to the lineup. But if the Braves want to be successful, they will need guys like Brian McCann and Dan Uggla to bounce back after some rough seasons (Uggla only went .220 last season in 154 games). Tim Hudson will headline the rotation along with Hudson and Kris Medlen.  The bullpen should be able to provide good support as well with Craig Kimbrel, Jonny Venters, and Eric O'Flaherty.  Atlanta will have to fight for position this year but if they can execute, they could compete another wild card spot, and possibly a division title.

2. Miami Marlins

The Marlins were a disaster on the field and in the front office last season. Their new ballpark didn't inspire many wins. They finished 38-43 at home and 69-93 overall which earned them last place in the East. Add that to an unsuccessful stint with Ozzie Guillen and an under performing roster and you'd think the Fish have nowhere to go but up, right? Wrong. The front office traded away a good chunk of stars in  Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Carlos Zambrano, and Carlos Lee (though the jury is out if Zambrano is still a "star").  New manager Mike Redmond will have a lot of work to do if he wants to get this struggling franchise on track. Giancarlo Stanton is really the only player in the lineup whom one could expect some production out of this year. Juan Pierre and Placido Polanco were some of the notable pickups this off-season but even they won't be able to support a team with as weak a pitching staff as Miami. Ricky Nolasco is the ace now that Johnson is gone, and the rest of the rotation and bullpen aren't much better. To make a long story short, don't expect anything out of this team except empty seats and a losing record.

3. New York Mets

Mets fans are frustrated with the team, and rightfully so. The team finished 4th in the East with a 74-88 record and traded away one of the few bright spots on the team: Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey. There hasn't been a ton to sway fan confidence this off-season either.  The Mets picked up Shaun Marcum and Scott Atchison to make up for losing Dickey, as well as catcher John Buck. David Wright will lead an underwhelming offense but will have Daniel Murphy and Ruben Tejada to help, both who averaged around .290 last season. Ace Johan Santan should be able to start on opening day, and he will lead a very young pitching staff that will need to step up if they wish to make up for losing their Cy Young winner. This is a young team, and with a lot of competition in the division don't look for the Mets to compete at a very high level this season.  Fans will have to be patient and understand that this is most likely another building year in New York.

4. Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies were among the biggest surprises in the NLE last season, and not because they won a lot of games.  They finished third in the division with an 81-81 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006. A fair warning to anyone who thinks that this trend will continue: the main reason for this was due to injuries.  Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz were all hurt last season. They managed to fill in the gaps of their lineup with some decent pickups in Ben Revere, Michael Young, and Delmon Young. Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are both beginning to age, but should have enough in the tank to provide some solid innings. Cole Hamels has also been able to put the Phills into a good position to win.  There is also some added pressure to the bullpen this year to make sure they can throw enough shutdown innings until the ball can be put into Johnny Papelbon's hands. If they can do that, the starters and the offense should be enough to put the Phillies back on the road to the playoffs.

5. Washington Nationals

The Nationals shocked the baseball year when they were able to take the division with a league best record of 98-64; their playoff season since they were the Montreal Expos. They ended up losing in five games to the wild card Cardinals, but it was still the best season in the teams short history.  It was not without controversy though when the team decided to bench their Ace Stephen Strasburg to avoid injury. But what's done is done. Strasburg is ready to go, and the combination of him, Gio Gonzalez, and Jordan Zimmerman will be deadly. The Nats will complete their pitching staff with a deep bullpen which added Rafael Soriano in the closing position. offensively, didn't really lose anyone too significant.  Denard Span was picked up from the Twins in the off-season and although he doesn't add too much in the way of power, he provides a good amount of speed.  A lot of key names will make up the core of this lineup such as Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman, and Jayson Werth.  This team is young, talented, and driven. Despite losing in the playoffs last year, the Nationals will be riding momentum and more determined to win than ever with manger Davey Johnson retiring at the end of the season. Baring injury, this team should make another run at the playoffs.

The big question in the East will be how the Phillies respond to not making the playoffs, and will they respond to a Nationals team which truly believes it can take the division easily.  This is going to be one of the hardest fought divisions and I have a feeling a winner won't be picked until the last few days of the season. That being said, this is how I see the division turning out.

1. Nationals
2. Phillies
3. Braves
4. Mets
5. Marlins

Look out for future posts as I cover each division and the playoffs for the upcoming MLB season. Next up: The American League Central