Breaking Down The MLB's National League

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

I decided to knock out the National League Edition of my MLB rankings today, because I realize my whirlwind travels from New York to watch the Cubs and Yankees open up New Yankee Stadium, then to Houston for Wrestlemania 25, leave me sadly lacking for time this weekend.

Again, I feel the need to point out that, as insightful as I'm about to be, this is only an article of an opinionated nature. No one is perfect at predicting anything, let alone how 30 teams and a minimum of 750 players will do throughout a 162-game season, but I can try, just as the thousands of other writers, players, fans, and everyone else can.

Let us start with the NL East.

1. Philadelphia Phillies—The defending World Series champions will have a tough time repeating anything, let alone winning the tough NL East with a young, scrappy Marlins team and a Mets team determined not to choke again.

Armed with three potential MVP candidates in Utley, Rollins, and Howard, and a couple of speed demons on the base paths in Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth, and Joe Blanton looking more and more like a legitimate number two starter, Philadelphia fans will be coming to the stadium longer than most other teams' fans this season.

2. Florida Marlins—Yes, I'm serious, I think Florida finishes ahead of the Mets, not by much, but I think they do. Fredi Gonzalez's young team will surprise a lot of people. Ricky Nolasco will surprise a lot of people (a former Cubs prospect, but so was Josh Hamilton) and get some Cy Young votes. Cameron Maybin is going to be exciting and will almost assuredly will be the NL's ROY this year.

This offense can be great, and probably will have it's kid-glove moments, but all in all this is a team to watch out for.

3. New York Mets—To me, the Mets almost addressed everything they needed to. Fernando Tatis starting doesn't work for me, but neither does Luis Castillo. Highly overrated, vastly under-talented for big city ball playing.

Perez, Pelfrey, and Maine need another year under their belts, while the Marlins have Nolasco, Johnson, Annibal Sanchez, and Andrew Miller, who is going to get better. Miller is a big leftie with promise, and has shown glimpses of a potential 17-game winner.

To me, the Mets just aren't a safe pick. They crumble too quickly, and I won't lay any faith in them until they prove me wrong.

4. Atlanta Braves—Same boat as the Mets. I love Derek Lowe as a player, but Kawakami, Jurrjens, and Vazquez just aren't dependable. I will change this if Tommy Hansens makes a serious go this year, but otherwise, the tools just aren't here anymore.

5. Washington Nationals—Where to start? Pretty much everything except the outfield needs worked on. Willingham, Dukes, and Milledge is a pretty darned good outfield, and Dunn and Zimmerman are two decent corner infielders, but the rest is a mess. Don't worry too much, though. Stephen Strausberg is on his way here before too long, assuming the draft doesn't go completely out of hand.

NL Central

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