Who will win the NL east?

[Pared]

Re: Who will win the NL east?

Braves.

IMO the Mets offense looks good, but the starting pitching is weak. That will spell their doom. I don't see Pedro being healthy all season and if he is, I'm not sure it will be enough to overtake ATL.

It was the Mets "O" that was their problem last year... (aside from the bullpen, damn Looper) their pitching caused issues, but I can't even begin to count the # of times they lost a game 2-1, 1-0, or 3-2, and so on....

[dkgojackets]

Re: Who will win the NL east?

Marlins have the best spring training record so

[rsox]

Re: Who will win the NL east?

It'll be interesting to see how the Braves pitching fair in the post-Mazzone era but until someone beats them i have to go with the Braves as well.

[Stoud]

Re: Who will win the NL east?

The "Braves are going to win because they always do" argument doesn't work for me.

What have the Braves done to get better? They added Renteria and obviously the younger guys will get better, but other than that have they done anything else?

The Mets have added Delgado, Lo Duca, Julio, Wagner and will have Beltran healthy for a full season. These aren't just a bunch of stars the Mets decided to buy they're legitimate players who fill big needs. I have a hard time believing these additions don't make them 7 wins better than last year.

I wouldn't be so quick to pass those judgements. Don't most Rookies drop off the charts for about a year after the first year they enter the majors? Granted...no longer rookies...big deal...they're still prone to go through the same growing pains.

I think Wagner will make a big difference. Having a closer who can actually close out games and getting those small wins is going to make all the difference for the Mets this year.

Everyone was suprised at how the Nats kept winning by small ammounts last year...I wasn't. The team chemistry and make-up generally doesn't lie in this area. When you have that kind of chemistry where you can win -- just barely -- it shows. The Mets this year have that kind of chemistry. I found it funny that people were wondering during my fantasy drafts...why did I keep picking Wagner so early? Well gee, who wouldn't pick up a sure bet for 40-50 saves?

[mjb2124]

Re: Who will win the NL east?

I wouldn't be so quick to pass those judgements. Don't most Rookies drop off the charts for about a year after the first year they enter the majors? Granted...no longer rookies...big deal...they're still prone to go through the same growing pains.

Not if their name is Jason Bay!

[jacketin08]

Re: Who will win the NL east?

The Braves

[stripmallp]

Re: Who will win the NL east?

I'd be shocked if the Braves didn't do it again.

I bet the Mets finish in fourth. Behind Pedro and Wagner they ain't got much and Cliff Floyd hasn't had 2 healthy years in a row in his entire career, Delgado still has a bad elbow and Kaz Matsui is still their second baseman. The only thing they got going for them is that David Wright is gonna be a huge star.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: Who will win the NL east?

I'll be shocked if the Phils, Fish, or Nationals win the division.

I feel like it's a 2 team race between the Mets and Braves.

The Mets Pythagorean W-L record last season was 89-73 but they only won 83 games. I blame most of that on Looper. He was awful. If you look on paper, there's no doubt the Mets are an improved team. Delgado proved he could still mash last season and Wagner is still lights out despite his age.

Beltran was a huge disappointment but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say he was never 100%. Wright is a stud and a player you can build a franchise around. I expect even a bigger season. Unless Reyes can control the strike zone, I wouldn't bat him leadoff. I would actually bat Beltran in the number one spot and bat Reyes 6th or 7th but I know that's not going to happen.

The starters were actually decent last season. But the top 3 guys in the rotation are pretty old (Pedro, Glavine, Trachsel). I expect to see a decline.

The Braves are going to be fairly young next season. I like the starters (Hudson, Smoltz, Ramirez, Sosa, Davies). I'm not sold on Reitsma as the closer. I wonder if Joey Devine will get a crack at that position later in the season. McCann will have a good season.

But until somebody actually goes out and tops the Braves, I won't go against them.

[Vince]

Re: Who will win the NL east?

Tomahawk Chop

[bravosfan]

Re: Who will win the NL east?

I'll be shocked if the Phils, Fish, or Nationals win the division.

I feel like it's a 2 team race between the Mets and Braves.

The Mets Pythagorean W-L record last season was 89-73 but they only won 83 games. I blame most of that on Looper. He was awful. If you look on paper, there's no doubt the Mets are an improved team. Delgado proved he could still mash last season and Wagner is still lights out despite his age.

Beltran was a huge disappointment but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say he was never 100%. Wright is a stud and a player you can build a franchise around. I expect even a bigger season. Unless Reyes can control the strike zone, I wouldn't bat him leadoff. I would actually bat Beltran in the number one spot and bat Reyes 6th or 7th but I know that's not going to happen.

The starters were actually decent last season. But the top 3 guys in the rotation are pretty old (Pedro, Glavine, Trachsel). I expect to see a decline.

The Braves are going to be fairly young next season. I like the starters (Hudson, Smoltz, Ramirez, Sosa, Davies). I'm not sold on Reitsma as the closer. I wonder if Joey Devine will get a crack at that position later in the season. McCann will have a good season.

But until somebody actually goes out and tops the Braves, I won't go against them.

I pretty much agree... if everything goes right for the Phils, they could maybe sneak in there. But that's not likely.

Once again, it comes down to the Braves and Mets. Of course I'm going to take the Braves, but it could go either way. Eventually somebody else is going to win the division, just hopefully not this year.

On paper, the Mets have more star-power, but talent-wise, it's probably about even. Health will be a big factor, especially the rotations. And the Braves obviously need their young guys to come through again.