We're nearing the 48-hour mark until the Marlins open their new stadium against the Cardinals. Then Thursday is technically "opening day" and every team will have played a game by the end of Friday. So we'll continue our quick-hitting looks at the divisions; this time it's the NL East.
The Phillies ran away with the division last year as the Braves fell apart down the stretch, the Marlins underachieved and the Nationals nearly had their first winning record ever. This time around, the Phillies have offensive injury issues, the Marlins are much improved, the Nats should only keep getting better and the Braves have a similar club to last season. And then there are the Mets, a team that isn't nearly as bad as the national stigma would suggest, but still appears to be a bit overmatched in this tough division.
2011 Final Standings
1. Philadelphia Phillies 102-60
2. Atlanta Braves 89-73
3. Washington Nationals 80-81
4. New York Mets 77-85
5. Florida Marlins 72-90
2012 spring primers
Philadelphia Phillies
Atlanta Braves
Washington Nationals
New York Mets
Miami Marlins
National League East's Best
Best lineup: Marlins. Jose Reyes now sits at the top, and it's easy to expect a bounce-back from Hanley Ramirez with further growth from the likes of Logan Morrison and Giancarlo Stanton. This thing has the potential to be downright scary by season's end.
Best defense: Braves. Brian McCann behind the plate and Michael Bourn in center field are huge. Jason Heyward in right provides good range and a good arm as well. The biggest difference-maker is there aren't any significant defensive holes.
Best rotation: Phillies. The starting pitching in this division is insane. The Braves would have a great rotation if they could ever get everyone healthy, the Nationals have a trio of young studs in front of Edwin Jackson and the Marlins appear very strong as well. Still, none of them can match the Phillies. Yet.
Best bullpen: Braves. The Phillies, Marlins and Nats are all impressive to varying degress, but the trio of Eric O'Flaherty, Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel for the Braves is utterly lights-out, when not overworked. That'll be the key this season for manager Fredi Gonzalez. Also, don't discount the impact Kris Medlen can have.
Best manager: Charlie Manuel, Phillies. We'll see how Ozzie Guillen does with that collection of personalities in Miami this season, and he could easily sit here next year. But for now, there's little doubting the recent track record of the venerable Philly skipper.
| Eye on Division Previews |
Best pitcher: Roy Halladay, Phillies. I'd still rank him the best pitcher in baseball right now (yes, over Verlander). So he's the choice here, edging out teammate Cliff Lee.
Best rookie: Bryce Harper, Nationals. He's not in the bigs yet, but the phenom is coming.
NL East All-Star team
1. Jose Reyes, SS
2. Shane Victorino, CF
3. David Wright, 3B
4. Giancarlo Stanton, RF
5. Mike Morse, LF
6. Brian McCann, C
7. Dan Uggla, 2B
8. Freddie Freeman, 1B
9. Roy Halladay, SP
Closer: Craig Kimbrel
Chances at winning the division
Phillies - 31%
Marlins - 25%
Braves - 22%
Nationals - 20%
Mets - 2%
The Blue Jays question
Much can be learned about the strength of the division by simply asking where the Blue Jays would finish. They were 81-81 last year, which was good for fourth in the mighty AL East. Where would they fit in the National League East?
The AL East appears the best division in baseball, but the NL East is second. Still, it's much less top-heavy and the Blue Jays would hang around this race for a while. I feel like they're a step below the Phillies but would be right in the group with the Marlins, Nationals and Braves for one of the NL wild cards.
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