Author: Trey Johnson - Friday, May 19, 2006

National League East Breakdown

Now that we have evaluated the American League it is time to take a look at the National League side of things. Part four of our six part baseball division breakdown covers the National League East. With a quarter of the season behind us the only thing we know about the NL East for sure is that the Braves won't be running away with the division crown this season.

The Mets are playing inspired baseball. Is it possible we witnessing a changing of the guard in the NL East? After more than a decade of ownership Atlanta is taking a backseat to both the Mets and the Phillies but there are only 4.5 games separating the three of them. My advice to both New York and Philadelphia: don't let up! The Braves have just won eight of ten including three straight. Here they come!

We stated in part one of this series that you do not want to take the summer off. Baseball has the potential to be your biggest money making season and we are proving it with a solid 26-17 for 61% record to this point. Don't miss any of our money making baseball selections on this website.

Atlanta Braves

Over the last 15 seasons it didn't matter who Atlanta had in their lineup they simply won games. But to start this season it looked like the Braves plug and play philosophy was finally falling apart. Unfortunately for the rest of the division that isn't the case. Remember they made the playoffs last season with eight rookies on their roster and the youngsters are starting to heat up. Over the last ten days they are 8-2 and only 4.5 games behind the division leading Mets.

Although the Braves are still rebuilding you can't count them out. Manager Bobby Cox is one of the best in the business. He will have this young talented core of players performing to their potential.

If the Braves can avoid the injury bug and find someone to solidify their bullpen the NL East crown will be theirs once again.

Florida Marlins

Once again the Marlins had a fire sale. Team president David Samson called it a "market correction," but with the team entertaining relocation offers it seems more like the death of baseball in South Florida.

The one bright spot for a pitching rotation that lost Josh Beckett, Al Leiter and A.J. Burnett is that Dontrelle Willis gets a chance to follow up on his 22 win season by becoming the staff ace. The down side is that he will be throwing with Brian Moehler, Jason Vargas, Scott Olsen, Josh Johnson, Ysmeiro Petit, Anibal Sanchez and Sergio Mitre. Yes, I know. Good luck Dontrelle!

New manager Joe Girardi has never been involved with a 100 loss season as a player or a coach. Guess what Joe; you will this season! Florida will save money, sit in the basement and wait for a new stadium in a new city next year.

New York Mets

Learning from the other New York team the Mets have opened up the checkbook the last two seasons in an effort to buy the division crown from the Braves. Over the last two years they have added big name stars in Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado and Billy Wagner. In addition to the stars they have a solid supporting cast with Paul Lo Duca, Cliff Floyd, David Wright and Jose Reyes.

Armed with one of the biggest payrolls in baseball the Mets are poised to make a run at the World Series. They have all the pieces in place if they can just get past the Braves. With a 24-15 record in mid May, second best in the NL and a 2 game lead in the division, look for the Mets to win 90+ games and be a serious threat this fall.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies haven't been to the playoffs in 12 years. Last season they were in the hunt until the final day of the season. Their 88 wins were their most during the drought. Close isn't good enough. They fired GM Ed Wade and replaced him with highly regarded Pat Gillick. In 24 seasons as a GM Gillick has been to the playoffs nine times with three different teams and won two World Series rings.

Philadelphia can hit the ball and score runs. They weakness is in the starting rotation. Jon Leiber, Brett Myers and Cory Lidle are solid in the 1-3 spots but after that the rotation gets weak. If they have any shot at the playoffs this season someone is going to have to step up and solidify the bottom half of the rotation.

At the midway point in May the Phillies are five games over .500 and in second place behind the Mets. Not bad but in a division with both the Mets and the Braves that isn't going to cut it come September. The Phillies are improving but the playoff drought will hit 13 years.

Washington Nationals

In their inaugural season the Nats surprised everyone by posting an 81-81 record. They will not repeat that feat this season. Lack of new ownership and chaos in the front office prevented Washington from improving in the off-season. Their biggest concern is pitching. After Hernandez and Patterson there are no proven arms to depend on.

As of the midpoint in May the Nationals are 13-27 and can't seem to win at home posting a dismal 3-10 mark. Things won?t get any better. Washington won't match last years 81 win mark. In fact they will most likely find themselves in a battle with the Marlins for last in the division.

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