MLB 2012: Predicting the Record of Every NL Team Next Season

After publishing my article predicting the records of American League teams in 2012, it was only fitting that I gave the National League the same treatment. Though the major free agents haven't been signed yet, we still have a basic idea of which teams will be competing next season and which teams will be competing to get to .500.

16. Houston Astros

Though the Houston Astros have made some changes this offseason, it is nothing that will effect their on-field product. After trading away Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn last year, the Astros are worse off than ever, but they still have young talent to be hopeful for.

Regardless of that talent they have, though, the Astros will struggle again in 2012, winning slightly more games than last year and just missing the 100-game loss mark. Their final season in the National League will not be a successful one. Let's just hope they find more success in the AL West.

Predicted Record: 65-97

Division Standing: Sixth In National League Central

15. San Diego Padres

After an almost magical 2010 season, the Padres took a major step backward in 2011, partly due to the loss of Adrian Gonzalez. There is nothing spectacular about the San Diego Padres—they are just an extremely mediocre team right now. It's not that they don't have talent, it's just that it isn't being pieced together at the moment.

Competing with quality teams like the Giants and the Diamondbacks in the NL West won't help their case, as it will be another dreadful season in San Diego.

Predicted Record: 69-93

Division Standing: Fourth In National League West

14. Pittsburgh Pirates

After it seemed like the Pirates were putting their losing days behind them in 2011, the Bucs sadly finished below .500 once again. With a stellar farm system and a surplus of young talent, the Pirates hopefully won't be bad for much longer, but 2012 is not their year.

The National League is too competitive, and with teams like the Cubs looking to improve in the NL Central, winning will not come easily for the Pittsburgh Pirates next season.

Predicted Record: 73-89

Division Standing: Fifth In National League Central

13. Colorado Rockies

Going into the 2011 season, many considered the Colorado Rockies to be the favorite in the NL West. With rising superstars like Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, as well as Ubaldo Jimenez coming off a breakout season, the Rockies were primed for success.

For whatever reason, though, things didn't work out for the Rockies. Troy Tulowitzki and CarGo put together very solid seasons, but they were about the only ones. The Rockies fell so far back that they even traded their "ace" Ubaldo Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians.

In 2012, it seems as if it will be more of the same in Colorado. You can't beat the Giants and Diamondbacks in the West with only two players performing, and the Rockies won't beat them in 2012.

Predicted Record: 75-87

Division Standing: Third In National League West

12. Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds are another team swarmed with mediocrity. With the Brewers and Cardinals competing for the division title, the Reds will once again be the forgotten team. For the fans who thought 2010 was the start of something new for the Reds, I am truly sorry, but the Reds will not win in 2012.

The Reds have a similar problem to most of the teams in the National League: not enough pitching. The Reds have a few talented starters, but the back-end of their rotation is a serious problem. Their offense is highly capable, with Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips at the helm, but it won't be enough for the 2012 Reds.

Predicted Record: 76-86

Division Standing: Fourth In National League Central

11. New York Mets

As a Met fan, it pains me to put my team so low on this list, but this is where the 2012 Mets are headed. With Jose Reyes likely leaving next season, bringing the outfield walls in isn't enough to make the Mets a contender, especially with the Nationals and Marlins on the rise.

The rest of the National League East is improving, while the Mets are getting weaker—not a formula for success in Major League Baseball. Maybe Jason Bay and David Wright will put together better numbers next season, while Daniel Murphy and Ike Davis develop. That is all I can expect from the 2012 Mets.

Predicted Record: 79-83

Division Standing: Fifth In National League East

10. Chicago Cubs

It has been a while since there were positive emotions at Wrigley Field, but this offseason has brought them. With Theo Epstein leaving Boston for his dream job and the hiring of Dale Sveum, things are certainly looking bright in Chicago. While I'm not expecting the Cubs to win anything this season, finishing near .500 would be a big start, and that is where I see them in 2012.

Predicted Record: 80-82

Division Standing: Third In National League Central

9. Los Angeles Dodgers

Matt Kemp and the Dodgers haven't had too much success the past few seasons, missing the playoffs two years in a row. On the bright side, a late season surge allowed them to finish above .500 in 2011, bringing some hope for the 2012 season.

Hope all you wan't though, as it will be extremely difficult for the Dodgers to finish above the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants. Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw will continue to shine, but the competition will be too much for the Dodgers to handle in 2012, as they finish with a record similar to their 2011 one.

Predicted Record: 83-78

Division Standing: Third In National League West

8. Miami Marlins

It is rebuilding time in Miami, as the new (and improved) Marlins look to make a splash. (See what I did there?) The Marlins are in on just about every major free agent this offseason, but don't expect them to land all of them. While I see them improving, there is definitely a limit to how much a team like the Marlins can improve. They will finish a few games above .500, with new acquisition Jose Reyes and will contend for the second wild-card spot.

Predicted Record: 85-77

Division Standing: Fourth In National League East

7. Atlanta Braves

After their sad late-season collapse in 2011, the Braves will be looking to rebound in 2012. But how? They played great baseball for most of the season, so what needs to be fixed?

Unfortunately for Atlanta, it doesnt seem like they will be making a big signing this offseason, so next year they will have to work with more of the same. More of the same isnt exactly a bad thing, as they have rising talent like Craig Kimbrel, Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward. The only major issue for Atlanta next season is the sleeping giants that are the Washington Nationals. The brave Atlanta team will be unable to slay the giant in 2012.

Predicted Record: 87-75

Division Standing: Third In National League East

6. Arizona Diamondbacks

After a magical 2011 season, the Arizona Diamondbacks will be looking to repeat their success in 2012. Winning 94 games last year, the surprise Diamondbacks came very close to making the National League Championship Series, losing to the Brewers in five games. Just making the playoffs was an amazing accomplishment for the Diamondbacks, but they may not have won if the Giants didn't experience a late-season slide.

With a rotation like the Giants have, it's hard not anticipate them winning the NL West in 2012. Lucky for the Diamondbacks, they will compete for a wild-card spot throughout the season, but they will fail to make the playoffs in 2012.

Predicted Record: 89-73

Division Standing: Second In National League West

5. Washington Nationals

It's hard not to get excited about the Washington Nationals. A team that was the joke of baseball just a few years ago is now looking to compete in 2012. The sensational Steven Strasburg missed much of 2011 due to an injury, but will be returning in 2012 looking to make up for lost time. Michael Morse is finally developing into a superb player, and with the support of Ryan Zimmermann, Jayson Werth and the talented Danny Espinosa, the Nationals will be contenders next season.

On paper they may not be favorites, but we all know baseball isn't played on paper, and the Nationals will have a magical 2012 season. For the first time ever, the Washington Nationals will make the playoffs, taking the new second wild-card spot and bringing a winning team back to Washington.

Predicted Record: 91-71

Division Standing: Second In National League East (Second Wild Card)

4. St Louis Cardinals

The defending World Series champions have high hopes for the 2012 season. How could you not after winning the World Series the previous year?

Albert Pujols will re-sign with the Red Birds, and under Mike Matheny, the Cardinals will put together another fabulous year. Battling with the Milwaukee Brewers throughout the season, the Cardinals will settle for the first Wild Card spot, returning to the playoffs and looking to defend their title.

Predicted Record: 93-69

Division Standing: Second In National League Central (Wild Card)

3. Milwaukee Brewers

Led by the National League MVP, Ryan Braun, the Milwaukee Brewers will piece together another fabulous season. Prince Fielder will return to Milwaukee, eager to return to the postseason and eager to win the World Series. The team will perform similarly to last season, except with less reliance on their offense and better starting pitching. Zack Greinke will return to Cy Young form in 2012, and with the Cardinals right behind them, the Brewers will win the NL Central once again.

Predicted Record: 95-67

Division Standing: First In National League Central

2. San Francisco Giants

So many things went wrong for the 2011 San Francisco Giants. Not only did they lose their star catcher Buster Posey to injury, the rest of the Giants struggled as well, with the exception of the pitching staff.

Look at the Giants pitching numbers. Their poor records are deceiving and don't accurately depict the talent of the team. I am confident when I say that the Giants have the best rotation in baseball, and 2012 will show this once again.

With a solid offense, the Giants pitching staff will succeed again, leading them back to the playoffs. As we saw in 2010, the Giants can be difficult to stop. This young San Francisco team will be very good in 2012 and very good for a very long time.

Predicted Record: 97-65

Division Standing: First In National League West

1. Philadelphia Phillies

Once again, the Philadelphia Phillies will possess the best record in the National League. It's hard not to produce the best record with a pitching staff like they have.

If there is anything that the Phillies need to address this offseason, it's right field and first base. Ryan Howard will miss part of the season, after suffering an injury on the final play of the Phillies' season in 2011. As for right field, Ben Francisco and Dominick Brown didn't provide the offense they were expected to provide for Philly, so it will need to sign an outfielder. All of these problems will be addressed by Ruben Amaro this winter, and the Phillies will look to repeat their 2011 season, just with a different ending.

Predicted Record: 101-61

Division Standing: First In National League East