Nl East Breakdown

Nl East Breakdown

The N.L east is cracking up to be one of the many run-a-way divisions in the MLB.


Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a very talented team and could go very far in October. The Phil’s have a 6.0 game lead over the wildcard hopeful Florida Marlins. The World Series champs will, in essence, bring the same lineup to the plate this season. The Phillies have proven they can hit the long ball with lefties Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez and Chase Utley both hitting over 30 home runs and righty, Jason Werth is also named among them with 30 plus homeruns also. The World Series MVP Cole Hamels has a new contract this season, and will have the help of newly acquired Cliff Lee and Pedro Martinez. However the addition of Lee sent Jamie Moyer, a 250 plus game winner to the bull pen to assist a struggling Brad Lidge. Now, the Phillies are looking big for a 2009 playoff berth and a possible World Series Repeat.



Florida Marlins
The Florida Marlins who have been less than impressive since there days as World Series Champions in 2003 are starting to rebuild there franchise into a young, impressive team. The Marlins have found production with short stop Hanley Ramirez who can play small ball, long ball and get the job done in the field. Dan Uggla who could be the most under rated second baseman in the National League. The Marlins are also aided on the mound by righty’s Josh Johnson and Ricky Nalasco. The Marlins may only be a second or third place finisher but watch out in the future.

Atlanta Braves
After a slow start the long shot wild card Braves are fighting for there lives in a touch N.l East. If they plan to make a decent playoff run they better start getting to work as they are aging fast with hall of fame hopeful Chipper Jones. Although Jones isn’t his old self, the Braves Catcher Brian McCann has stepped up to lead the team in both Home runs and RBI’s. The Braves also have a fair share of winning pitchers with, Derek Lowe leading with wins, Jair Jurrjens leading in ERA, and Javier Vazquez leading strikeouts. In General the Atlanta Braves are a very good team but also an aging one.

New York Mets
The New York Mets are probably the most unlucky team in the M.L.B. this season. The Mets could have been in World Series Contention if they weren’t plagued by numerous injuries both at the mound and at the plate. During the season the Mets injured pitchers JJ Putz, Oliver Perez, John Maine, and Johan Santana. At the plate they struggled without help of Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, and for some of the year David Wright. In order to intimidate teams in 2010 the Mets will have to clean up there injuries.

Washington Nationals
The Washing Nationals are the newest of M.L.B. teams but that is no excuse for being 30 games back. They do have a few good excuses for being as bad as they are as they are also on of the youngest teams. They are also trying to get better as recent addition Adam Dunn will attempt to lead the team in batting as 1st pick in the 09 draft Steven Strasburg will add his 104 mph fastball into there rotation. The Nationals may be a mediocre team now but in a couple of years they could be a playoff contending team.

N.L East Star Players

Pitchers:
1. Johan Santana
2. Cliff Lee
3. Derek Lowe
4. Cole Hamels
5. Jair Jurrjens

1st Base
1. Ryan Howard
2. Adam Dunn
3. Adam Laroche
4. Jorge Cantu
5. David Murphy

2nd Base
1. Chase Utley
2. Dan Uggla
3. Luis Castillo
4. Willie Harris
5. Mike Prado

Short Stop
1. Hanley Ramirez
2. Jimmy Rollins
3. Christian Guzman
4. Yunel Escobar
5. Anderson Hernandez

3rd Base
1. David Wright
2. Ryan Zimmerman
3. Chipper Jones
4. Pedro Feliz
5. Jorge Cantu

Left Field
1. Raul Ibanez
2. Gary Sheffield
3. Garret Anderson
4. Chris Coglhan
5. Josh Willingham

Center Field
1. Nate McLouth
2. Shane Victerino
3. Cody Ross
4. Willie Harris
5. Angel Pagan

Right Field
1. Jason Werth
2. Elijah Dukes
3. Jeremy Hermida
4. Jeff Francoeur
5. Matt Diaz

Note: This was based on opinion.

Sources: http://thebocker.com/2008/03/
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/roster?team=phi