2012 NL East baseball preview

by Steve

NL Central preview and NL West preview were already covered. Now to the NL East to close out the superior league in MLB.

Atlanta Braves
My only reluctance here is that epic collapse last year still lingering even if it was overshadowed by the overrated Red Sox own meltdown (oh and a general lassitude among the fan base). This team still has a solid young core mixed with vets and young guns and a manager that should be able to put 2011 behind them.

Jurrjens and Hanson at the top are good enough with the hope that Hudson has anything left. Plus Beachy has a season under his belt and didn't implode. But, WTF happen to Jason Heyward?
93-69


Philadelphia Phillies
The door may have slammed shut on this squad. Severe/ugly injuries to old cornerstones Utley & Howard are disconcerting. The pitching is obviously still there and capable of carrying the team even in that small park (or at least Philly fan better hope so.)

The obvious question is whether Pence and Mayberry are ready to shoulder the load on offense. Maybe the obit should be put on hold with this team for another year with Halladay gassing fools and Lee still capable of being a witch. But I'm not convinced. Father time is not on their side and a more competitive division doesn't help. I have them penciled into a wild card spot mostly because of old man Manuel.
91-71


Miami Marlins
New name, new digs and new stadium still no division title for the fish. How the hell is big Z in the starting five in the rotation? Can Buehrle and Josh Johnson stay healthy and productive all year? Anibal Sanchez and Ricky Nolasco have to be more consistent if this team truly believes they can contend.

Jose Reyes is overrated and over paid but still an exciting player. But how long until Han-Ram throws this team under the bus because he hates playing at third? Overall solid team that may just need a full season to gel.
83-79


NY Mets
Is there one prognosticator out there that isn't piling on and saying the Mets suck, they're dead etc.? Being a natural contrarian I will say they're not dead. What did Jose Reyes ever win this franchise? What was Carlos Beltran's biggest moment with NY?

Santana is back, the ownership problems have calmed down, Jon Niese got paid and David Wright is in a contract year. Plus the powers that be moved the outfield fence in! Well, yeah they will still finish fourth in the division but it won't be last place and they won't get the all time mark for L's. Mostly because Duda is nobody, Jason Bay is horrendous and the rotation is a patch work group.
79-83


Washington Nationals
I predicted this team wouldn't finish in the basement last year and I was vindicated. Unfortunately I'm not feeling it this year. Young guns Strasburg and Harper may have something to say about that however (assuming Harp-dog gets the call up).

I like the Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson acquisitions but until I actually see the Nattys being competitive and interesting I can't pick them to make a big enough jump.
75-87