NL East Preview
With the MLB season just a week away let’s take a whip around each division’s standings according to yours truly!
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Atlanta Braves
It’s not going to be a fair fight for the NL East division when you look at this Atlanta Braves team; they’re a tough team to beat because once you take a lead against them they seem to have a response with a big hit in the following inning. Last season it was unfair to have outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and first baseman Matt Olsen in the same lineup. It doesn’t get much easier past those two because you still have outfielder Michael Harris II, designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, and sandwiched between Olsen and Acuna is the always dangerous third baseman Austin Riley. Their pitching is solidly anchored by Spenser Strider with Max Fried and Charlie Morton behind him. However, Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez will be tough days for the offense. Late in games their bullpen will be able to hold leads consistently with and keep their stature as one of the best in the MLB.
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Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are coming off one of the most disappointing postseason series in a long time. Last season they seemed to be too relaxed once the season started and then they got rolling in early June. Manager Rob Thomson hope that his lineup and pitching staff can be more determined once the year starts. They will knock on wood have a healthy first baseman in Bryce Harper for the full season. Starting pitcher Aaron Nola seemed to have finally figured out the pitch clock in the postseason but he is now paid as someone that should be in Cy Young consideration this upcoming season. The Phillies bullpen was ranked as the best in Baseball according to MLB.com. They must have had them confused with someone else because without a closer that can’t be the case.
Photo Credit : John Minchillo
New York Mets
To say that last season was disappointing in Flushing would be a big understatement. For Mets fans their hopes last season of ending with the NL pennant were dashed. Injuries and subpar play all played a part in that equation. Losing closer Edwin Diaz abruptly last season was not an easy task for them to replace. 2022 Manager of the Year award recipient Buck Showalter was fired after last year so now it’s up to Carlos Mendoza. Mendoza was the bench coach of the cross-town rival New York Yankees. Now he’s the fourth manager in the last seven years. Mendoza should be given more credit than he gets for his help in guiding the Yankees as a part of fiery manager Aaron Boone’s coaching staff. The Mets lineup led by first baseman Pete Alonso is intriguing, if Alonso can hit consistently throughout the season and shortstop Fransisco Lindor can have a strong season like last year at the dish, their offense should compete with good pitching. This season should be a breakout one for catcher Francisco Alvarez who’s among the best at his position in the NL East. The Mets starting pitching ultimately will be what holds them back, however, I still think they can be a team that can play important games and battle for a wild card spot.
Photo Credit : Rich Storry-USA Today Sports
Miami Marlins
With Kim Ng no longer holding the title of general manager for the Miami Marlins, which is the biggest loss facing the team this upcoming season. She did a tremendous job in putting together the 2023 Miami Marlins and should have continued to build on it, but the Marlins ownership had other ideas. Even with 2022 Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara having a cataclysmic down year they still maneuvered to win a wild card spot. There is still a lot of talent in that clubhouse that they should have improved upon in the off-season but they likely won’t make it back to the postseason.
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Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals continue to show the rest of the league how to rebuild in a quick way. Shortstop CJ Abrams is going to have a breakout season this year and could be the Nationals representative at the All-Star game. Right fielder Lane Thomas is going to be the power hitter that the Nationals will need. Their pitching is what will hold them back. Aside from young arm Josiah Gray, there isn’t much good coming out onto the bump to start games for the Nationals. Manager Dave Martinez will be tasked with pulling this team through the rough waters as he did brilliantly last year and the Nationals were competitive at times.
