2009 MLB Pre-Spring Predictions: National League

Spring Training is here!  A few days ago, I made my American League predictions.  Today, I present my predictions for the National League.

I will start in the East and move to the West.

Keep in mind, these predictions do not factor in injuries or other freak things that happen in baseball.

NL EAST

Philadelphia Phillies

Even though I am an Atlanta Braves fan, I like the Phillies to win the East. 

From top to bottom, their line-up has a great balance of power, average, and speed, led by Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, and Jimmy Rollins.  This team should score a lot of runs, similar to last year.

Their pitching staff is the BEST.  That's right, the BEST in baseball.  Cole Hamels, Bret Meyers, Jamie Moyer, Joe Blanton (when he's on), and whoever they choose to fill the No. 5 spot form a formidable front five. 

Behind the starters, the bullpen should be just as strong this year as last.  Brad Lidge will have another solid season, and even without JC Romero, their 'pen should be able to match up with any other in the East.

I'll give them 93 wins (after all, the other teams in the East aren't exactly slouches).

NL CENTRAL

Chicago Cubs

One hundred and one years (right?) without a World Series, but this should make three consecutive seasons with a NL Central pennant.

Their rotation should be strong once again.  How couldn't it be?  With Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden, Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly, and (maybe) Jeff Samardzija, the rotation should certainly be the backbone of this team.

The bullpen should be OK with Carlos Marmol or Kevin Gregg serving as closer and Luis Vizcaino, Aaron Heilman, Luis Asciano, and Chad Gaudin serving behind them.

The line-up should also be sufficient.  Alfonso Soriano, Derek Lee, Ryan Theriot (I just like the name more than anything), Geovany Soto, and the newly acquired toy company could make one of the best line-ups in the National League.

Let's say 91 wins in a close race with the Brew Crew.

NL WEST

San Francisco Giants

Yeah, I know, they havn't been anything since about '02, but I think they could finally break through this year.

Their heart is where it should be: the rotation.  Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, Randy Johnson, and (maybe the only weak point) Barry Zito form the best power rotation in all of baseball.

Their line-up isn't exactly the greatest thing to behold, but Randy Winn, Aaron Rowand, Fred Lewis, and Edgar Renteria all complement each other well and should be sufficient to support their strong rotation.

I'm not as up to date with their 'pen as I should be, but I do know that Brian Wilson is a really good closer, so I'll leave it at that.

Quite frankly, I don't care if the Dodgers re-sign ManRam, because great pitching beats good hitting EVERY time.

How about 88-90 wins to take the West?

Wild Card

Atlanta Braves

OK, maybe I'm biased (wait, I am), but I believe the Braves have done enough this offseason to claim the Wild Card.  Here, I have the most knowledge, so I'll go the most in-depth.

The rotation is much more durable than last year's, with D-Lowe, Jair Jurrjens, Javier Vazquez, and Kenshin Kawakami forming the front four, and Jorge Campillo, Jo-Jo Reyes, (maybe) Tom Glavine, James Parr, Tommy Hanson, and Charlie Morton competing for the fifth spot.  The rotation should be more than sufficient.

The Braves bullpen is very underrated.  With Jeff Bennett, Blaine Boyer, Manny Acosta, Boone Logan, Peter Moylan, and Rafael Soriano leading up to the rocking chair Mike Gonzalez, the 'pen could make up for any deficiencies the rotation may present over the course of a season.

The line-up has three primary cogs: Brian McCann (the best offencive catcher in baseball), Chipper Jones, and Yunel Escobar.  If these three can stay healthy and come close to their potentials, then this team could be a force to be reckoned with.  

90-92 wins should be able to capture the Wild Card.

The Best of the Rest (in order)

Florida Marlins (young staff, great power, but they probably don't have enough), Milwaukee Brewers (iffy staff, solid line-up, and "good enough" 'pen, but not enough), New York Mets (Johan, Wright, and K-Rod, but no chemistry), and the Los Angeles Dodgers (solid staff and 'pen, but-even with Manny-a weak offense).

The Team that May Surprise Us

When I'm talking Baseball with my friends, I always like to pick a team that may come out of no where and do something.  This year, that team is the:

Cincinnati Reds

They finally got younger!  With Aaron Harang, Edison Volquez, Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, and either Michah Owings or Homer Bailey, this rotation could be impressive.  Their line-up also has it's strengths, featuring Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce, Edwin Encarnacion, Ramon Hernandez, Joey Votto, and Willy Taveras.

They won't take the divisioin, but still should hover around .500.