NL East
Hi everyone. Just thought id come update and give my opinion on the NL East. This division has been really shuffled this year due to the arrival of a certain Mr Santana for the Mets. However, he can only play once every 5 days and it will be mainly down to the everyday players to keep up the fantastic kind of form they had in the middle of last season, only to choke a little at the end. The Phillies lost Chase Utley for awhile last year and if he can put in a full year this year then there is no reason to suggest they wont go and take this division this year. The Braves seem to be on the downhill slide and i cant see them getting anywhere near the top two. The Marlins really could push the most this year and it finally is begining to look like an organised ball club. The Nats are in thier new ballpark for the first full season and a lot will depend upon thier starting pitching, but i think the Braves will just beat them and they will finish bottom.
1. Philidelphia Philies
2. New York Mets
3. Florida Marlins
4. Atlanta Braves
5. Washington Nationals
Till next time…
I think i saw…
WILT – Gwen Stefani – Sweet Escape
mlblogstommo
Welcome to the world of MLBLogs!
Interesting predictions. Before the Mets had Santana I actually had them as a third place club. They’re not getting getting any younger, and they had a lot pf pitching questions. with Santana it settles the rotation, but not enough to pass the Phillies.
I think you’re underestimating the Braves a bit. They might be old, but their rotation is pretty strong. If Chipper can stay healthy, they’ll win some games.
http://www.fightingphils.mlblogs.com
never underestimate a club in a brand-new ballpark, either. the cards won it all the last time they opened a park. i don’t think the nats are the 2006 cards, but i think they will surprise some people.
mark/mlb.com
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@Jason. Thanks for the welcome
You have a good point about the Braves but it will be difficult with an older rotation for health reasons more than performance (glavine, smoltz.) They do however have some good younger pitchers such as Reyes who really impressed me last year. I just feel that the club is more primarily revolving around experience and it will be upto the likes of Franceour, Kotsay, Texiera and of course Chipper to perform for the ball club every day – if this happens, sure they have a chance but i just have a feeling it may not be their year. The mets have a similar problem but i can see the likes of Reyes, Church, Beltron and Delgado much more capable of providing the more consistancy.
@Mark. Hiya – no, indeed a new ballpark is never to be underestimated. a new ballpark brings about confidence and a lot of excitement around for fans and players.The nats are improving but i still dont think that they can match with the powers of the east this year – i think Florida may be the surprise, back to the form of their past glories – if it would be considered a surprise. I want the nats to do well but i would give it another year or two