NL West – I think the Dodgers are again the best team in the NL West, but I think the Rockies and the D-Backs both have a chance of making a run at L.A. L.A. has a great outfield with Manny Ramirez in Left Field, Matt Kemp in Center, and Ethier in Right. The D-Backs only have a chance if Brandon Webb stays healthy. I think the reason the Giants are not going to win is because they have no offense. They have great pitching from Tim Lincecum, who I think is the best pitcher in the league right now. The Padres are only worth watching to see Adrian Gonzalez hit; otherwise, this team is not worth watching.
Division Ranking Prediction
1 Dodgers
2 Rockies
3 D-Backs
4 Giants
5 Padres
NL East – I know this pick is boring because I am picking the Phillies. After getting Roy Halladay, this team is going to dominate. The Mets got Jason Bay, but the only way they win is if some star for the Phillies gets hurt and Jose Reyes can stay healthy. The Braves are just not worth watching. The reason the Nationals are not on that list is because they got Stephen Strasburg and with the team they have, he should be coming up to the bigs fast. He should do fine this year and next year be a candidate for the Cy Young Award. I say the Marlins come in 3rd because Hanley Ramirez hits 30+ home runs.
Division Ranking Prediction
1 Phillies
2 Mets
3 Marlins
4 Nationals
5 Braves
NL Central – The NL Central looks very interesting this year. The Cardinals have Matt Holliday for the whole season, and the Reds got Arolids Chapman, a Cuban pitching prospect. I pick the Cardinals to win because of Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday. I think they will each have 30+ home runs. I think Carpenter, Wainwright, and Penny will all have 12+ wins and an ERA lower than 2.50. The Reds have Adam Dunn in his final year before he is a free agent, and he looks to have a great season. The Cubs hope that Carols Zambrano, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and Alfonso Soriano can all stay healthy. I think the Brewers only have a chance if they can get some good pitching from Yovani Gallardo and Randy Wolf and great hitting from Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun. I say the Pirates and the Astros have no chance of winning unless a miracle happens.
Division Ranking Prediction
1 Cardinals
2 Reds
3 Cubs
4 Brewers
5 Astros
6 Pirates
Playoffs:
1 Phillies (East)
2 Dodgers (West)
3 Cardinals (Central)
4 Rockies (Wild Card)
Divisional Round:
Phillies vs. Cardinals Series Winner – Phillies
Dodgers vs. Rockies Series Winner – Dodgers
NL Championship:
Phillies vs. Dodgers Series Winner – Dodgers
