National League Preview: Division, MVP, and CY Young

NL East Standings

1. New York Mets

2. Atlanta Braves

3. Philadelphia Phillies

4. Florida Marlins

5. Washington Nationals

 

NL Central Standings

1. Chicago Cubs

2. Milwaukee Brewers

3. St. Louis Cardinals

4. Cincinnati Reds

5. Houston Astros

6. Pittsburgh Pirates

 

NL West

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

2. Arizona Diamondbacks

3. San Francisco Giants

4. Colorado Rockies

5. San Diego Padres

 

Wildcard

1. Atlanta Braves

2. Philadelphia Phillies

3. Arizona Diamondbacks

4. Milwaukee Brewers

5. St. Louis Cardinals

 

NL MVP

1. Manny Ramirez, LAD—With Manny back for his first full year with the Dodgers, he should put up monster numbers. It also helps to have Furcal and Hudson at the top of the order, right in front of Manny. He should put up a lot of RBI.

2. Aramis Ramirez, ChC—Here is the dark horse in the competition. He has quietly been one of the top third baseman in the league. Last year he was more patient and with his home run total expected to be around 30, it should bode well for his OPS.

Not only that, but he will drive in more runs and put more numbers up because of the addition of Milton Bradley, but Bradley needs to stay healthy, which could be a big question mark. He will still put big numbers up even without Bradley though.

3. David Wright, NYM—If the Mets do make the playoffs, expect David Wright to be right in the mix for the MVP award. He will no doubt put up the numbers to win the award and is a fan and press favorite.

4. Albert Pujols, StL—It is obvious why his name is on the list, considering he is the best hitter in the National League and probably in all of baseball. Oh yeah, and he won the award last year.

The only question one may ask is why he is so low. Well, I think he will have enough competition this year and his team will likely miss out on the postseason.

5. Ryan Braun, Mil—He is the best hitter on the Brewers and is turning into one of the best hitters in the National League. He has nice protection with Fielder, Hardy, and Hart.

He could improve his chances if guys like Weeks and Hall produce and if the Brewers make the playoffs. However, I think the Brewers will just miss the playoffs, thus decreasing his chances on winning.

 

NL Cy Young

1. Dan Haren, Ariz—Many people may consider Brandon Webb to be the best pitcher on the Diamondbacks, but I think this year Haren will be.

Haren’s strikeout rate was at his highest point last year, and he had his lowest WHIP number last year. He walked only 40 guys (that makes for a good K/BB ratio!).

Expect big things from him this year with an ERA right around 3.00, quite possibly below that.

2. Johan Santana, NYM—Expect big things for Johan in his second year with the Mets, not that he didn’t do well last year. He might be the best pitcher in baseball, but I see him coming up a little short. However, it won’t be a surprise if he wins it.

3. Derek Lowe, Atl—Derek Lowe was very good last year, and if he had more wins, he could have made a case for the CY Young. He is an underrated pitcher, partly because he doesn’t put up big strikeout numbers.

If the Braves make the playoffs, he should get more attention and should be a big reason why they get there.

4. Tim Lincecum, SF—Coming off a Cy Young year, Lincecum should expect a little drop off but should still be a top 10, probably top five pitcher in the National League.

Lincecum struck out a whopping 265 guys last year but did walk more than 80 guys. If his walk totals stay high and he winds up striking out less he may be less fortunate. He is only 24, going on 25 and should be a CY Young candidate for the years to come.

5. Yovani Gallardo, Mil—This guy has ace stuff and will clearly be the Brewers best pitcher with C.C. Sabathia gone. The big question will be health, which has hampered him a bit in his early career.

If he does have a healthy year expect him to put up big strikeout numbers, a low WHIP, and a low ERA.