OK, its now time for us to get to the National League portion of my MLB predictions, starting with the East. One thing, I forgot to include my rookie of the year for the AL in my picks so you already know who I’m rolling with. David Price, Commodore Pride! OK, on to the NL.
First, some music to listen to: She’s Gone by Hall and Oates
They’re from the city of my NL East Champions. I could have gone with The Roots who are my favorite group from that city but I wanted to show some love to the perennially underrated Hall and Oates. Excellent, excellent group. People make fun of them because of their goofy videos in the 1980’s but listen to the soulful music, that’s legit.
I must admit that I follow this league a little bit more because of the Mets but I’m also the most honest with my prognostications. Last year I predicted that the Phillies would win the East without shame because I know what the Mets are. Will I follow the same rationale this time around? You will have to continue reading to find out.
Here’s the condensed version for you out there that just want a quick read.
NL East: Philadelphia
NL Central: Chicago
NL West: Los Angeles
Wild Card: New York
NL Champs: Chicago
NL MVP (top-five):
1) David Wright, New York (I can already hear you out there about New York bias)
2) Albert Pujols, St. Louis (I know he’s going to win it but lets go out on a limb a little)
3) Ryan Howard, Philadelphia
4) Hanley Ramirez, Florida
5) Manny Ramirez, Los Angeles
NL Cy Young (top-five):
1) Carlos Zambrano, Chicago
2) Johan Santana, New York
3) Brandon Webb, Arizona
4) Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati
5) Cole Hamels, Philadelphia
NL Manager of the Year: Tony LaRussa, St. Louis
NL Rookie of the Year: Cameron Maybin, Florida
NL surprise teams relative to experts’ expectations (top-five):
1) Cincinnati
2) San Francisco
3) Atlanta
4) St. Louis
5) Houston
NL disappointing teams relative to experts’ expectations (top-five):
1) Atlanta
2) Chicago (will still win division but not run away with it)
2) New York
4) Arizona
5) Pittsburgh
NL Worst Team: Pittsburgh
NL East:
1) Philadelphia
Yea: World champs, extreme confidence yet still feel underestimated and undervalued. Have arguably best first baseman, second baseman, shortstop, starting pitcher and closer in entire league. Excellent depth in staring rotation. Howard is a beast, Utley is game, Rollins is tremendous leader. Lidge has found his bearings and is dominant again. Ibanez more consistent than Burrell was ever in Philly.
Ney: A lot went right for them last year. Injuries are already rearing ugly head at start of season with Utley and Hamels. Howard slimmed down but that’s a lot of weight to carry and struggled early last season before turning it on towards end. Got career years from Worth and Victorino last year, does this happen again? Furthermore, Lidge was literally perfect last year, that won’t happen again.
Fantasy focus: Some top dogs on this team. Ibanez moves into a major hitting park, look at picking him up.
2) New York
Yea: Arguably have the best shortstop, third baseman, starting pitcher and center fielder in the entire league. I said arguably. Reyes has matured into major talent, Wright is everything you want in a superstar, Santana is an alpha dog ace. Beltran is good. Delgado had monster second half of last season and that should carry over to this year. Solved terrible bullpen problems from last year with picking up Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz who now move to pitcher friendly NL. Decent starting pitching.
Ney: A lot HAS to go right for this team to compete. Below average at catcher, left field and right field. Luis Castilla isn’t the answer at second base. Santana is coming back from major surgery to knee. Sad bench. Fernando Tatis, really? Rest of starting rotation, especially Oliver Perez and John Maine are wildly inconsistent, can’t be relied on to compete for division. How does K-Rod handle pressure of New York and big contract. K-Rod’s skills were weakening last season despite setting saves record, will NY get money’s worth?
Fantasy focus: If you’re in a decent league, all of the top flight players are untouchable. However, someone may sour on Carlos Delgado and he’s capable of making a major run. Also, look into picking up Putz because he will be used often.
3) Atlanta
Yea: Expectations are relatively low for them by people looking at this objectively. Pressure is on Mets and Phillies to produce while they lay in the weeds. McCann is best catcher in the league. Chipper Jones had nice year last season and should be solid this year. Francoeur had a year to forget last season, he had to be better you would think. Escobar and Kelly Johnson get their chance to shine in the middle infield. Lowe and Vazquez were good free agent pickups at starting pitcher.
Ney: Mets and Phillies are just better. Jones is brittle at this stage of his career. Francoeur may have been just a flash in the pan. Starting pitching beyond the top two are unproven. Bullpen leaves many things to be desired.
Fantasy focus: Several potentially undervalued players on this team. For pitchers, Jurrjeens and Kawakami and for hitters, Kotchman, Johnson and Escobar.
4) Florida
Yea: Welcome to superstardom Hanley Ramirez. Loads of young talent that we may not know of now but will find out about soon. Like Uggla at second base. May have best overall depth in their rotation in the division, seriously. Josh Johnson will receive some Cy Young consideration. Everyone’s pick for rookie of the year, Cameron Maybin, will make his presence felt. New stadium deal came through, positive vibes in South Beach. Oh yeah, South Beach. Fun times!
Ney: Outside of Ramirez and Uggla, lots of youth in the field players, not a good sign. Pitching depth is good but one man needs to emerge as the top dog.
5) Washington
Yea: This is going to be hard. Nice addition with Adam Dunn. Milledge and Dukes have physical talents. Jordan Zimmerman brings some hopes for the future.
Ney: They just aren’t talented to compete for anything right now. I’m going to be nice about it.
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