TIGHT NL East race going into ST

[nyisles16]

Re: TIGHT NL East race going into ST

this will bring back the days of the NL East battles such as the classic St Louis/ NY Mets in the early to mid 80's..

[cjonesfan921]

Re: TIGHT NL East race going into ST

i ofcourse went with atlants the signing of mondesi has given them a sick combo in the outfield when it comes to def, and whoever starts at lf whether its briand jordan or if they put andy marte there they should be ok they dont need much out of that spot except consistent d.the pitching staff will be real good is smoltz is healthy.hudson is a bonafide numer 1 and smoltz CAN be that best number 2 in baseball and they will get horacio ramirez back this year.rp we may have a problem here except closer to the end with kolb and reitsma

[cjonesfan921]

Re: TIGHT NL East race going into ST

i ofcourse went with atlants the signing of mondesi has given them a sick combo in the outfield when it comes to def, and whoever starts at lf whether its briand jordan or if they put andy marte there they should be ok they dont need much out of that spot except consistent d.the pitching staff will be real good is smoltz is healthy.hudson is a bonafide numer 1 and smoltz CAN be that best number 2 in baseball and they will get horacio ramirez back this year.rp we may have a problem here except closer to the end with kolb and reitsma

[mvb34]

Re: TIGHT NL East race going into ST

Same place they are in the NL East race?

I.E.: "Not in it."

Don't sleep on the Nationals!!

[mvb34]

Re: TIGHT NL East race going into ST

Same place they are in the NL East race?

I.E.: "Not in it."

Don't sleep on the Nationals!!

[fsquid]

Re: TIGHT NL East race going into ST

this will bring back the days of the NL East battles such as the classic St Louis/ NY Mets in the early to mid 80's..

You have to love the St. Louis radio station that printed up 20,000 "Ny Mets are Pond Scum" Tshirts back in the mid 80s. I still see a few of those when I go to STL to see the Mets play.

[fsquid]

Re: TIGHT NL East race going into ST

this will bring back the days of the NL East battles such as the classic St Louis/ NY Mets in the early to mid 80's..

You have to love the St. Louis radio station that printed up 20,000 "Ny Mets are Pond Scum" Tshirts back in the mid 80s. I still see a few of those when I go to STL to see the Mets play.

[Angel_Fan]

Re: TIGHT NL East race going into ST

IMO the Marlins have the best team in their division. They had an off year last year and with the signing of Carlos Delgado, I would take them as a legitimate playoff contender that has a good chance of making deep into the postseason.

[Angel_Fan]

Re: TIGHT NL East race going into ST

IMO the Marlins have the best team in their division. They had an off year last year and with the signing of Carlos Delgado, I would take them as a legitimate playoff contender that has a good chance of making deep into the postseason.

[Stoud]

Re: TIGHT NL East race going into ST

Same place they are in the NL East race?

I.E.: "Not in it."

That is unfair and totally uncalled for.

The Nationals have a strong rotation with Livan Hernandez, Tony Armaz, Tomo Ohka, Esteban Loaiza, and Zach Day. All guys who can keep their ERA's well under 4.00 and in a PITCHERS PARK like RFK? a few of them will pitch sub 4, and one or two much pitch close to sub 3.

They have a strong Bullpen with foundation. Antonio Osuna comes in to take the setup job, so Ayala will most likely take the closing job, and Ayala is LIGHTS OUT.

They have a strong lineup with great defense. Endy Chavez, Jose Guillen (who seeks to make Washington his long term home with the Nationals), Vinny Castilla (who outside coors will not produce as much, but will produce just the same), Christian Guzman, Brad Wilkerson (highly underrated), Jose Vidro, and the up and coming Terrmel Sledge, who with 398 ABs last year hit .269 with 15 homers and 62 RBIs and could very well hit better this year. The Nationals this year in a pitchers park, at least from this standpoint AND on paper, are better than they were a few years ago with Vlad. There are few if any holes to fill, and THAT is what makes a winning team.

Make no mistake, the Nats will suprise this year. They might just go and take 2nd or 3rd in the NL East with the Braves' outfield problems and other holes on other teams. You say they wont even be in the race? heh...I say there's no way they AREN'T going to be right in the thick of it.

[Stoud]

Re: TIGHT NL East race going into ST

Same place they are in the NL East race?

I.E.: "Not in it."

That is unfair and totally uncalled for.

The Nationals have a strong rotation with Livan Hernandez, Tony Armaz, Tomo Ohka, Esteban Loaiza, and Zach Day. All guys who can keep their ERA's well under 4.00 and in a PITCHERS PARK like RFK? a few of them will pitch sub 4, and one or two much pitch close to sub 3.

They have a strong Bullpen with foundation. Antonio Osuna comes in to take the setup job, so Ayala will most likely take the closing job, and Ayala is LIGHTS OUT.

They have a strong lineup with great defense. Endy Chavez, Jose Guillen (who seeks to make Washington his long term home with the Nationals), Vinny Castilla (who outside coors will not produce as much, but will produce just the same), Christian Guzman, Brad Wilkerson (highly underrated), Jose Vidro, and the up and coming Terrmel Sledge, who with 398 ABs last year hit .269 with 15 homers and 62 RBIs and could very well hit better this year. The Nationals this year in a pitchers park, at least from this standpoint AND on paper, are better than they were a few years ago with Vlad. There are few if any holes to fill, and THAT is what makes a winning team.

Make no mistake, the Nats will suprise this year. They might just go and take 2nd or 3rd in the NL East with the Braves' outfield problems and other holes on other teams. You say they wont even be in the race? heh...I say there's no way they AREN'T going to be right in the thick of it.

[Ger]

Re: TIGHT NL East race going into ST

I think it's a bad idea to underestimate any team. but the nationals dont have a chance. The division is TOO strong this year.

vinny castilla? WIFF!

Livan Hernandez, Tony Armaz, Tomo Ohka, Esteban Loaiza, and Zach Day ?

lol thats a sub-par staff compared to the rotations of the Braves, Marlins and Mets...and even the Phillies.

There is no way, barring injuries and a comet hitting atlanta, miami ny and philly all at the same time, will the Nats come close to taking second or third.

[Ger]

Re: TIGHT NL East race going into ST

I think it's a bad idea to underestimate any team. but the nationals dont have a chance. The division is TOO strong this year.

vinny castilla? WIFF!

Livan Hernandez, Tony Armaz, Tomo Ohka, Esteban Loaiza, and Zach Day ?

lol thats a sub-par staff compared to the rotations of the Braves, Marlins and Mets...and even the Phillies.

There is no way, barring injuries and a comet hitting atlanta, miami ny and philly all at the same time, will the Nats come close to taking second or third.

[3rdAnswer]

Re: TIGHT NL East race going into ST

All 4 teams are strong, so it's REALLY hard to think about who will win it. But it should Atlanta's to lose. I do see the Wildcard winner coming from this division though.

[3rdAnswer]

Re: TIGHT NL East race going into ST

All 4 teams are strong, so it's REALLY hard to think about who will win it. But it should Atlanta's to lose. I do see the Wildcard winner coming from this division though.