National League Predictions

It's time to unveil my predictions for the senior circuit in baseball, the National League. While probably not as strong as the American League, I feel like there is more parity in the NL. Teams like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Colorado, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Atlanta all have a chance to go to the playoffs - and maybe the World Series. That's half the teams in the league! I really feel like each team has their strong positives, and even the lower level teams are closer to making the playoffs than most might believe. That being said, I see no turnover in the playoff teams from a year ago, though the results in October will be very different...


NL East

1. Philadelphia Phillies (96-66) - I want to pick against the Phillies really, really badly. Yes, the rotation is phenomenal. But it also includes three pitchers that are over the age of 32, and that is not a recipe for success. Not to mention their lineup no longer scares me anymore. Ryan Howard has begun to decline, and Chase Utley can't stay healthy. So who is left to strike fear into opponents? Jimmy Rollins? Shane Victorino? A 38 year old Raul Ibanez? I will pick Philadelphia to win the division, but I don't see them winning in the playoffs. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they missed the playoffs.
2. Atlanta Braves (92-70)* - Tim Hudson, Derek Lowe, Tommy Hanson, and Jair Jurrjens is a poor man's version of Philly and Boston's rotations. But they might be just as good as them. The Braves need a huge year from Jason Heyward and Chipper Jones to bounce back. If rookie Freddie Freeman hits, they might be the most dangerous team in the National League.
3. New York Mets (81-81) - The Mets are in serious trouble. Remember when they were the chic pick a few years back to win it all? What happened? Jose Reyes has fallen off big time. Carlos Beltran has become a non-existent factor. Even David Wright is up and down. Their rotation is decent, but without Johan Santana, they have little chance at competing.
4. Florida Marlins (74-88) - Lots of good young talent, led by ace Josh Johnson and shortstop Hanley Ramirez. They need Mike Stanton and Logan Morrison to have huge years. If the rest of that rotation can finally pitch up to its potential, they could have something in Miami. But I think the Braves and Phillies are just too much for them.
5. Washington Nationals (72-90) - Until Stephen Strasburg is healthy and phenom Bryce Harper makes it to the big leagues, I want nothing to do with Washington. There Opening Day starter is Livan Hernandez, whose fastball tops out at 83 mph. Really? Jayson Werth isn't an answer to their issues, and I think it was actually a terrible decision to sign him in the first place.


NL Central

1. Cincinnati Reds (95-67) - Did you think I would really pick against them? The Reds have the best lineup, best rotation one through five, and the best defense in the division. They run, pitch, slug, slash, field, etc. Cincinnati has built a team that can stay at the top of the division for the next 5 years. If Edinson Volquez turns back into the 17 game winner he was, they are the class of the National League. And I don't see any reason why he won't be back to that form, especially now that he will be almost two years removed from surgery. Tell me a better and more versatile starting lineup than Stubbs, Phillips, Votto, Rolen, Bruce, Gomes, Hernandez, and Janish. Janish is the only weak spot, and his defense more than makes up for that. They could have 6 guys pop out 20+ homers. I've never picked against the hometown starting nine, and I won't now.
2. Milwaukee Brewers (88-74) - Shaun Marcum doesn't scare me, especially if he continues to top out in the high 80's with his fastball. The Reds eat guys like that for breakfast. Yovani Gallardo has also had his fair share of issues against Cincinnati. Zack Greinke is a head case and is injured. Corey Hart is hurt, too. The Brewers field the worst defense in the league, and I don't buy into the hype that this team will win the division. Don't get me wrong, they are good, and will compete. But they aren't as deep as the Reds.
3. St. Louis Cardinals (81-81) - It's the end of St. Louis' run. Chris Carpenter and Albert Pujols could both be gone next year. They have no depth on their team. It killed them last year, and it will this year, too. And any team relying on Kyle Lohse to give them significant innings is either delusional or in serious trouble. The Cardinals are both. Adam Wainwright's injury looms large for the Redbirds, who could quickly sink into mediocrity if they miss the playoffs for the fourth time in five years.
4. Chicago Cubs (74-88) - Nope, don't buy it. Matt Garza and Carlos Pena are not saviors. Ryan Dempster is not an ace, and do you really want to trust Carlos Zambrano? There's some nice talent on the team, and a pretty good rotation, but the Cubs are NOT better than Cincy, Milwaukee, or St. Louis. There's no way around that.
5. Houston Astros (70-92) - I actually really like their rotation of Brett Myers, JA Happ, Wandy Rodriguez, and Bud Norris. But their lineup is horrific. Unless Carlos Lee sets the clock back four years, and someone on that team does their best Jeff Bagwell impression, they are cooked before the season even begins.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates (62-100) - Andrew McCutcheon, Jose Tabata, Pedro Alvarez, and Neil Walker looks like a good core for the young Pirates. So did Nate McLouth, Freddy Sanchez, Nyjer Morgan, and Ryan Doumit of 2+ years ago. No rotation, and I'm sure the players they have now will be gone in two years. Why do I get the feeling that Pittsburgh may actually only be halfway through their streak of losing seasons?


NL West 

1. San Francisco Giants (90-72) - A rotation that is truly as good as Boston's and Philly's. Lincecum is terrific, but Matt Cain is the best pitcher on that staff. Madison Bumgarner is the next great lefty, and Johnathan Sanchez isn't bad either. I don't trust that their lineup will produce like it did last year, but they will come pretty close to it. I don't like any of the other teams in this division, so I'll stick with the champs.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (88-74) - Not sure how a team with this kind of talent was so horrible last year. Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier are great players, and either one could win an MVP award. If Chad Billingsley ever figures it out again, they would have a solid 1-2 punch with him and Clayton Kershaw at the top of the rotation.
3. Colorado Rockies (84-78) - I'm probably the only baseball fan in America that doesn't see what is so great about the Rockies. They don't play well on the road, and only hit at home. Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki are great, yes, but who else is in that lineup? Ian Stewart is a strikeout machine. Dexter Fowler is far too inconsistent. Todd Helton had a great career, but he is done. And the rotation is very fragile after ace Ubaldo Jiminez.
4. Arizona Diamondbacks (74-88) - I really don't have anything good to say about the DBacks. Justin Upton and Chris Young are very good players. Their rotation is horrible. I can't name anyone else on that team.
5. San Diego Padres (70-92) - Last year was a fluke. Period. Mat Latos wasn't, though. He is an ace, and looks like the next Chris Carpenter. But their offense, also known as Adrian Gonzalez, departed to Boston. No way they are in contention two years in a row.


Playoffs
NLDS
San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies (San Francisco in 5)
Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves (Cincinnati in 5)
NLCS
San Francisco Giants vs. Cincinnati Reds (Cincinnati in 7)


World Series
Cincinnati Reds vs. Boston Red Sox (Boston in 6)


Final Thoughts
Call me a homer if you want, but I don't see any reason why the Reds can't make it to the World Series. If Edinson Volquez is back to being an ace, why can't they make a deep run? Bronson Arroyo and Johnny Cueto both held their own against Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels. I don't see their bats going cold in October again, but I think they will run into the buzzsaw that is the Boston Red Sox. Nonetheless, I'd be pretty happy if the season ended with a trip to the World Series. A man can dream right?