2010 NL East Outlook

The Philadelphia Phillies return as the defending NL Champs and are looking to head to their 3rd straight World Series appearance. They will have their work cut out for them as every team in the NL East have improved and are gunning for the defending NL East champs. The Phils have won three straight NL East titles and have taken the place of the Atlanta Braves as the team to beat in the East. Below are the Documented Handicappers NL East predictions.

1. Philadelphia Phillies - The Phils made a couple big moves in the offseason trading away Cliff Lee to pick up Roy Halladay. Halladay is considered one of the best, if not the best, pitcher in all of baseball. The 2008 rotation featured 4 left handed pitchers and by adding a former Cy Young Award winner in Doc Halladay will surely improve their rotation. The biggest offensive addition to the Phillies club was adding 3B Placido Polanco. Polanco is a pure hitting machine and has already started off the season proving his worth. The Phils have a potent lineup that rivals any American League order. This team has been built to contend in the postseason, most importantly the World Series. We like the Phils to repeat as NL East champs but it won’t be an easy task.

2. Atlanta Braves - The Braves are a much improved team and have something to play for as its manager Bobby Cox’s last season as the Braves skipper. The Braves have an impressive rotation featuring Derek Lowe, Tommy Hanson and Tim Hudson. They added closer Billy Wagner who appears to have revitalized his career fighting back from recent injuries. Rookie sensation Jason Heyward will be a force to reckon with in the NL East for many years to come. Standing at 6′5 240lbs, he can hit to all fields and for power. With a great arm to match, he will be a cornerstone of the Braves future. With the additions of Melky Cabrera and Troy Glaus, the Braves will have something to say about the Phils repeating. If the Braves can stay healthy they could be the Phillies biggest challenge. Let’s face it; the Braves were the only team in the NL East with a winning record vs the Phils.

3. Florida Marlins - The Marlins are a perennial contender in the East and this season will be no different. For years the Marlins have thrived off a solid rotation with a tremendous farm league. The Marlins find a way each year to contend while having one of the lowest payrolls in baseball. The Marlins have proven before, 1997 and 2003, that you don’t have to be a favorite to win it all. The Marlins could once again surprise a lot of people in the East. You would think by now they would start to get the recognition they deserve.

4. New York Mets - The Mets are most likely the most underachieving team in baseball. Year after year they have such high expectations only to faultier each season. In 2008 they lost a 10 game lead in the NL East to the hands of the Phillies. You have to wonder how much longer Jerry Manuel will remain as coach and there is a good chance that if the Mets don’t turn things around early in the season he will be replaced. The Mets lack leadership and heart and they could easily be at the bottom of the division if they don’t look out.

5. Washington Nationals - The Nationals could easily contend with the Mets for 4th in the division. With the addition of Pudge Rodriguez and RHP Jason Marquis, the Nats will have a solid team in 2010. A lineup that features Adam Dunn, Josh Willingham, Ryan Zimmerman and Willie Harris, don’t be surprised to the see the Nats actually compete this year. With #1 overall pick Steven Strasburg starting the season in Double A, he will be their ace of the future….even if that future is towards the end of 2010.

There you have it the Documented Handicappers 2010 NL East outlook and predictions. It should be another fight till the end this season and we look forward to watching it all unfold.

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Tags: baseball, Braves, MLB, national league, NL East, Phillies

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 at 1:45 pm and is filed under MLB Baseball. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

One Response to “2010 NL East Outlook”

Dolly Foringer Says:
May 12th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
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2010 NL East Outlook

One Response to “2010 NL East Outlook”

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