UCB Project: NL East Predictions

Day two of the UCB Prediction Project has us in the relevant league, though still a division over.  The NL East generates a lot of press, not just because of the East Coast teams, of course, but because the last two NL representatives in the World Series have come from there.  (Same team, but still...)  So let's see how this one is going to pan out.


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1. Philadelphia

I've said all winter that I believe St. Louis and Philadelphia are the cream of the National League.  It's tough to compete with their offense.  Starting off with Jimmy Rollins and then working through Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth is a tough thing to do, especially when playing in their ballpark.  Placido Polanco (long-time favorite of Cardinal Nation) adds to that, though he's starting to teeter toward decline.

What's going to get the Phillies is pitching.  Obviously, they are fronted by one of the best in Roy Halladay, but another extended October run is going to hinge on which Cole Hamels shows up.  If he can be closer to '08 than '09, you don't want to face them in a short series.

The closer is about their only question mark, whether Brad Lidge can remake himself again or if they have to find another.  Still, easily the class of the division.

2. Florida

I like Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco in that rotation.  I like Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla, at least at the plate.  I like that they usually surprise people.  I think Cameron Maybin can take a step forward and start claiming the potential that he has.

But the real reason Florida sits in my #2 slot?  I think they are just the best of a weak rest of the field.

3. Atlanta

There's going to be a buzz around Atlanta this year.  Jason Heyward has provided that during the spring and will at least through the first month of the year, probably longer.  Bobby Cox is retiring, giving people a chance to talk about his farewell tour.

There is also a solid team there, if Chipper Jones was just off last year and not old.  If Tim Hudson is healthy and effective.  If Billy Wagner can lock down games.

Still, there are a lot of ifs.  They should be in contention for a runner-up finish, but I don't know if they've got enough for more.

4. New York

2010 has to be better for the Mets than 2009 was, right?  I mean, everyone was getting hurt and missing time last year.  Even David Wright, who almost survived it all, got smacked in the head.  So everyone is ready to go, right?

Well, we know Carlos Beltran will be out a while.  Jose Reyes had an interesting spring training and may not be completely ready to start the season.  So there's some carryover effect.

Having Wright and Reyes and Johan Santana is a great start, and Jason Bay should be a nice addition, but there are still a lot of holes on this team, even with a healthy crew.

5. Washington

While Stephen Strasburg highlights the upcoming season, whenever he gets called up, Washington is starting to put together an interesting team.  Ryan Zimmerman is a star, that much is certain.  Whenever Jordan Zimmerman is healthy, he'll give the Nats a good #2 guy (though that may be next year).  Drew Soren looks like a solid closer moving up quickly.  Jason Marquis isn't special, but he's solid and better than what the Nats have had.  Then there is Chien-Ming Wang, another rehabber.

Washington isn't going anywhere this year or probably next, but they are finally laying a foundation for improvement.

Tomorrow, we hit the only division that matters!