NL East 2009 Prediction: Mets in First? Braves a Sleeper?

(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

The top spot in the NL East, much like the AL East, is a three-way battle once more this year.

Of the Mets, Phillies, and Braves, who will take the title? Let's have a look...

New York Mets

The Mets melted down for a second straight season in 2008. They are determined not to let this happen again. One heartbreaking finish is enough, but two was unbearable.

A big part of their meltdowns have come from their inability to finish games, and subsequently, to finish the regular season. It seems that when the pressure is on, they haven't answered.

Problems Addressed:

The Mets have gone head first in addressing their late-inning pitching problems by nabbing J.J. Putz—a dominant closer in his own right—as the setup man, and Francisco Rodriguez as their closer. K-Rod is not only the best closer in the game, he's the most electrifying, and he's had the best season a closer has ever had.

Offense:

Disgusting. They have the best offense in the NL East. The kids from Queens are fast, powerful, and hit for average: the trifecta. Jose Reyes may be the most fun player to watch in Major League Baseball today.

What makes the Mets' offense better than the Phillies is that they have meaningful switch hitters and are completely balanced with their right-handed and left-handed hitters.

Reyes sets the table from either side. Luis Castillo does the same in the two-hole (or else David Murphy will hit there, who is drawing early comparisons to Don Mattingly). After that you pitch to a righty (David Wright), then you have to pitch to either a lefty (Carlos Delgado) or another switch hitter (Carlos Beltran).

This does a number on opposing teams' bullpens. They simply have to suck it up and run one pitcher out there and hope he can handle them on either side of the plate.

Defense

Multiple Gold Glover Beltran is in center field, flanked in left by a youngster with energy, and in right by the solid Ryan Church. The outfield is an asset to a fly ball pitcher like Johan Santana. The infield is slick at every single position with some gold glovers mixed in. The Mets should be way above average in fielding.

Pitching

The staff will be above average. They have their true ace and some solid guys behind him. Guys typically pitching at the No. 3 or 4 spot are vying for the No. 5 spot in the rotation; a nice luxury to have. They include Freddy Garcia, Tim Redding, and the uber-durable Livan Hernandez.

The bullpen is in great shape for the 8th and 9th innings, leaving the 7th for Pedro Feliciano. Sean Green and the rest will make their spots through the rest of the game when needed. This bullpen is upgraded significantly with the addition of the late-inning help.

Predicted Finish: First Place

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