NL East Analysis

Atlanta Braves

So this is the team I predicted to win the World Series. Atlanta is just strong all around. They are very much like Kansas City in the way that they have three aces in their rotation, their fourth guy is young, and really the fifth one in their rotation is the weakest, but is by no means terrible. Their bullpen is fairly good as well, with multiple players who could be closers, but no one guy that stands out. Then there is their hitting. They have a pretty good leadoff hitter, they traded for Alomar, and then they have Justice as their clean-up, and Pendleton as another contact guy. What should make them stronger as the season go on is their young guys getting better, in Chipper Jones and Ryan Klesko and Javy Lopez. If they do not progress right away, then maybe this team will not do as well as I predict, but if they do progress, than this will be a fairly scary team. To be honest the best thing I see them doing to improve their team is getting a top end closer or just a better 5^th in their rotation, even some power off the bench would help them as well.

Florida Marlins

Well Florida I picked to finish last in their division, and they have no hope in winning the division in my opinion. They have some very nice young pieces in their lineup like Veras, and Sheffield, but those two players alone cannot win every game for them, and although they have some other decent hitters, there is just not enough to propel them anywhere near the top in this division. As for their rotation, it is probably one of the worst rotations right now, but there are pieces there that other teams may be interested in if they are trying to win for their division. Their bullpen is pretty much similar except they have a really good closer. Overall, their future is the key, especially with names like Rob Nen, and others on their team, if they just stand pat that may hurt them in the long run.

Montreal Expos

I like the Montreal Expos, and think they have a shot at beating Atlanta, but I predict them finishing second and having a shot at the wildcard. Although that will be difficult with a few of the teams I have predicted to be competing in it. They have strong pitching, but it just does not touch Atlanta. Pedro leads the team, but he still is developing and they have another young pitcher in Reuter who probably needs a season in the big leagues before he is able to help carry Montreal to the playoffs. They also have one of the better bullpens in all of baseball with Wetteland, and Haynes, and maybe that will help them get over the top over Atlanta. Their offense is very similar to Atlanta’s and may even be slightly better right now with the top of the lineup with Grissom and Tony Fernandez behind him. If they can get some big home run help out of Alou and Walker, they may stand a very good chance. Perhaps an upgrade in 1B or 3B might help them a bit more as well.

New York Mets

I picked the Mets to finish fourth, but they could potentially move up depending what happens. I highly expect a third to fifth finish though. They have a strong 1-3 in their rotation, very much like Atlanta, but their 4-5 is nowhere close to those three. Their closer and set up is also very good, but then the rest of their bullpen is a little shabby. As for their hitting, they have good contact at the top, but not a lot of speed, and the middle of their lineup has some power, but not a lot, which is why I do not think they are a big threat in the NL East. If they can shore up their bullpen, and end of rotation, and find a better catcher and a CF or DH, and maybe a replacement for McReynolds if he begins to decline, then they may have at least a semi good shot at competing.

Philadelphia Phillies

I picked Ericks team to finish third, not because they are bad, just because they are not quite Montreal and Atlanta level. Their 1-3 in their rotation is quite good, but similar to the Mets, it drops off in the 4 and 5 slot. The bullpen is okay, but was a bit older and they traded away two of their former bullpen for different pieces, and their pen should still be competent, but it still took a bit of a hit. I like that Erick retooled his bullpen to get other pieces that he needed, and really I do not think either of the player was a major loss, but still hurts a bit. As for their hitting, I am surprised not to see Dykstra being leadoff, as Stocker does not seem that great, but it may be the platooning. Sadly the one thing that Erick is missing is some power, and without that I do not think Erick can overtake the other giants in this division to make the playoffs. He really needs to find a SS that is better and possibly another OF.