2012 NL East Preview

By: Steve Johnson

How they'll finish

National League

East:
1. Phillies
2. Marlins
3. Nationals
4. Braves
5. Mets

The Phillies are still the team to beat  in baseballs best division regardless of their injuries up front. Chase Utley will never be the same player but will play through his injuries, just as he did last year. He will be rested, but when he's on the field he'll give 110% every play. Manager Charlie Manuel has shown signs of the Phils playing small ball. Without the power they have had the past 5 years, they will have to use their speed and defense to win games. The Phillies won't win 102 games again, but as long as the Phillies still have Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels pitching from 60 feet, 6 inches, they will win enough games to win the division. The Marlins are the hyped team after making huge acquisitions in the off season to get Heath Bell and Jose Reyes to go along with future MVP Giancarlo (don't call him Mike) Stanton. It comes down to can they live up to the hype and can stud pitcher Josh Johnson return from his injury, oh and not to mention can Carlos Zambrano and Ozzie not kill each other. The Nationals are the young team that every scout is talking about, it's not a matter of IF but WHEN. Their top three starters of Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmerman, and Gio Gonzalez are going to be great. They return their two top hitters Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse, along with a more comfortable Jayson Werth. It's only a matter of time before the sports LeBron James gets called up in Bryce Harper. Watch for the Nats to make a splash and push for a 3rd place with the Braves. The Braves were one of the best teams in baseball going into September last year, so why do we have them so low? The Braves haven't done anything to make their roster better...and everyone else has. Jason Heyward has not looked like the hitter he was projected to be, having a terrible spring to follow up his horrendous 2011 season. There are questions about the Braves bullpen being worked too much last year, and still paying for it this spring. Now that the Braves starting pitching has gotten worse, could the bullpen be worked even more? The biggest question for the Braves, is if Ugly Dan can turn his good spring numbers into a successful season. Mets are a very bad team.