National League Preview

National League

Storylines to follow:

"Beasts" of the east?- After the NY Mets massive collapse and their addition of Johan Santana the question is how will the Mets rebound this year. The Phillies will be just as competitive this year and the Atlanta Braves, although old as hell, should always be considered. The addition of Santana makes the division tougher and the winner should win with around 94-96 wins.

Rockie Repeat?-The Rockies were a huge surprise last year getting to the World Series before getting swept by the Red Sox. The question is whether they can somehow capture the magic and once again get back to the World Series. The Rockies are going to have to battle just to get back to the playoffs. The Rockies had a nice run and I'm happy for Todd Helton but it won't happen again.


NL East:
New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies
Atlanta Braves
Florida Marlins
Washington Nationals

Summary: Santana is enough to prevent a second choke in two years and Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard aren't quite enough to get past Jose Reyes and David Wright. The Nationals will move to a new stadium in 2008 but will have trouble moving out of the cellar of the NL East

NL Central:
Chicago Cubs
Milwaukee Brewers
Cincinatti Reds
Houston Astros
St. Louis Cardinals
Pittsburgh Pirates

Summary: The only two teams that will really be in contention for a playoff berth are Chicago and Milwaukee. The Reds have some decent pitching and Dusty Baker, although not one of my favorite people alive, will win a few games for them although costing them many more down the road by abusing their young pitching. The Astros will have the offensive firepower to flirt with .500 but with no one behind Oswalt and Qualls in Arizona, they won't be contenders. The Cardinals, much to my delight and hope will be toward the bottom of the division

NL West:
Arizona Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres
Los Angeles Dodgers
Colorado Rockies
San Fransisco Giants

Summary: This, by far is going to be the most competitive division in the NL. Four of the five teams can compete for the division crown. Pitching will also be the story for this division. The Diamondbacks in my mind will win with a potential starting rotation of Webb, Haren, R.Johnson, and Micah Owings. The next three will all compete for a playoff berth and the Giants, well, they just suck.

Playoffs

Division Series:

NY Mets vs Chicago Cubs
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Championship Series:

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Chicago Cubs

NL Champion: Arizona Diamondbacks

Summary: Diamondbacks have too much pitching if they reach the playoffs. The Cubs will get by the Mets on a 9th inning 3-run blast by Alfonso Soriano off Billy Wagner. Unfortunately I think the Diamonbacks will sting the Cubs once again in the playoffs. Hopefully I am wrong.