The preview journey through all of the division ends today with the NL East. Although I am biased, I think the NL East is an incredibly deep division. Unlike other divisions that do not have clear winners because mediocrity, the NL East has several teams, that under the right conditions, that can make serious runs. Here's the breakdown of the division:
1. Phillies: At this point they are the team to beat. With back to back pennants, a powerful lineup, and a (overated) rotation, the Phillies are the team with the best chance to take the division again. Their weakness will be again the rotation and the bullpen (no problems with their lineup). I still feel that overall they have been lucky with their rotation working, so if the rotation stutters, its on to the bullpen, which is also mess. However, the lineup is really good. Good enough that makes average pitching into great pitching because of the confidence in the team's ability to score.
2. Mets: The Mets and the Braves will be in a tight race all year. The Mets are above the Braves because (I'm Biased) of the lineup. The Braves have a fantastic rotation, but the Mets could also have a good rotation. The problem is the Mets could also have a terrible rotation. There is so much that can be said about this team that you will have to wait till the Mets Preview article to here my full explanation of why the Mets will be in second and in the Wild Card hunt.
3. Braves: Fantastic Rotation. Not so fantastic lineup. Heyward will a great impact for this team, but that is a lot of pressure for a rookie. I still think the Braves will need to make another move in order to get into second in this division, to help bolster their offense.
4. Marlins: Flordia always surprises me, so I won't be surprised if they finish higher than 4th. Their lineup is still together and strong, the question is on the pitching staff. For them its beyond the rotation but also in the pen.
5. Nationals: They have made a lot of rebuilding moves over the winter and they are finally going to be seen as their pitching will be better and their offense will be better than it has in the past. They could finish higher than 5th depending on how their rookies perform.
