MLB: Opening Day - National League preview

Opening Day: NL Preview

NL East 1. Atlanta 2. New York 3. Florida 4. Philadelphia 5. Montreal>

The National League East is tricky this year. Usually it carries a dominant team that plays in the world series, but not this year. The big problem from Atlanta is keeping people healthy. John Smoltz who didn’t pitch hardly at all last year after he had surgery on his elbow, will miss a few starts this year as well. As for Greg Maddux, he will miss his first start after he took a sharp ground ball off of his toe. At first Braves training staff thought the toe was broken, but x-rays showed otherwise. Once Atlanta gets healthy, they can take hold of the division that is usually theirs. The Mets this year have almost the same look to them. Offensively the Mets should have pretty good year, but it is the pitching that has worried some. Last year’s number two starter Mike Hampton has signed with the Rockies, which leaves who to back up Al Leiter?

If all goes well for the pitching in New York, the Mets could be the ones on top of the NL East. As for Florida, Philadelphia, and Montreal, as soon as they get some money they will be able to compete with the big market teams. Until then, they will have to settle going 3,4,5 in the National League East.

NL Central 1. Houston 2. St. Louis 3. Milwaukee 4. Cincinnati 5. Chicago 6. Pittsburgh The NL Central has a toss up atop the division like the NL East. Both Houston and St. Louis make dominant cases for being the leaders in the Central. Houston’s Jose Lima was a 20 game winner two years ago, and last year dropped to 7-16. While on the other side Cardinal pitcher Rick Ankiel can’t find the plate. The secret for these two ball clubs is pitching. Who will get turned around first? In Milwaukee, the brand new stadium should bring more excitement for the Brewers. The Reds season is going to be determined by Junior. Can Ken Griffey Jr. have MVP numbers or not. Junior has got to carry this team other wise, the Reds will be wasted in the Central. Isn’t shocking that the Cubs are on the bottom of the barrel this year. Who would of thought that the Cubs would be picked near last place? This team has a great farm system, but the Cubs winning now will rest on Kerry Wood. For the Pirates, no pitching, hardly any offense, heck they should have buried the Pirates with Three Rivers Stadium.

NL West 1. San Francisco 2. Arizona 3. Colorado 4. San Diego 5. Los Angeles I really like San Francisco this year. They have great balance with there hitting and pitching. The only stumbles that this team might have are two things. The starting pitching might not hold up. The Giants are not blessed with great dominating starting pitching. They rather have great middle relief and a strong closer in Robb Nen. The Barry Bonds, Jeff Kent punch. These guys don’t produce, San Fran may slide to the bottom of the west. The D-Backs this year are seasoned to say the least. Most everyone on the team is near the age of 30. As ESPN.com put it, if Reggie Sanders starts, the entire starting eight will be over 30. But seasoned could be good or bad. The starting pitching looks to be solid with Randy Johnson and Curt Schlling, but middle relief and closing roles could be big for the D-Backs. The Rockies with added pitcher Mike Hampton is not going to keep the ball from flying out the ballpark, but it will limit it. Larry Walker needs to get healthy in a hurry for Colorado. San Diego and Los Angeles have rebuilding years ahead of them. The whole situation with Gary Sheffield has not been very health for Los Angeles. You can rest assure that some people on the Padres and Dodgers won’t have jobs next season.