On the Road to October: NL Predictions

It's opening day! Thank goodness. Here are my thoughts on how the National League is going to turn out, with a one line summary explaining each choice. Enjoy!

National League East: 

1. NY Mets: Done deal, they have Wright, Reyes, and Beltran leading the offense, and a much improved bullpen helps their key '07 and '08 weakness.

2. Phillies: Cole Hamels will NOT throw that many innings again, and lets remember, relievers are fungible, so lets assume Brad Lidge will not be as brilliant. Also, 3 years and 30 million for Raul Ibanez is better than 2 years and 14 million for Pat Burrell? Hell no. 

3. Braves: They are going to be close to the Phillies, very close. They've improved, yes. But seriously, Jeff Francoeur. Get bloody rid of him. 

4. Marlins: Screw that management. All they think about is money. 

5. Nationals. Long, long road ahead.

Central: 

1. Cubs: No-one else is close. What remains to be seen is if they can play in October. I guess playing important games down the stretch is more crucial than skipping to the finish line.

2. Brewers: Yes, they lost Ben Sheets and, that one guy, I think he went back east or something? But they still have a great, and YOUNG, hitting corps. They just won't be anywhere close to the playoffs.

3. Cardinals: No.

4. Reds: Everyone is talking about this great young pitching corps...and I don't see it. They are still the same Reds, in that they do not have pitching. (Besides Volquez) 

5. Astros: Pathetic team, pathetic system.

6. Pirates: See above.

West:

1. Dodgers: Great offense, acceptable pitching.

2. D-Backs: Great young hitters, and with Webb/Haren atop the rotation, look for the wildcard.

3. Giants: See my last baseball post. If they had added a pair of hitters, such as Adam Dunn at first and Pat Burrell or Bobby Abreu at a corner, they could of competed.

4. Rockies: Traded Matt Holliday for, nothing all that valuable.

5. Padres: A sad state of affairs. Trade Peavy already.