Posted by We are getting close to opening day, so why not have a little fun and talk about our division predictions? I will go through each division and rank them by where I think they will finish, who will win the division, best pitcher at the end of the season, and who I think will be the division MVP.
Why not start with what I think is the strongest division in Baseball, the NL East.
- Washington Nationals
It is nuts to me that this team recently won a World Series, but also had stars such as Bryce Harper, Juan Soto, Max Scherzer, Trea Turner, and even Kyle Schwarber at one point.
This team will be competing with the Oakland Athletics to be the last-place team this year. I will say, I think they got a really good return out of the Juan Soto deal. Obviously, Luke Voit didn’t work out but having guys like C.J. Abrams and all the other pieces they got in return is good for where they needed to be. They had no business keeping Soto around and that was a hell of a move by the organization.
- Miami Marlins: I really like this Marlins team and some of the guys they brought in this offseason, this division is just too good for them to win it this year. I really do think that they are competitive though. Bringing in guys like Jean Segura, Luis Arraez, veteran pitcher Johnny Cueto and Astros World Series Champ Yuli Gurriel. Obviously, they have Sandy Alcantara who is coming off his Cy Young-winning campaign and follows him in a solid rotation with Jesus Lazardo and Trevor Rogers, along with the new addition Johnny Cueto. Jorge Soler is also still waiting to break out after his monstrous 2021 playoff campaign where he was incredible. If he can stay healthy and help his teammates out, the Marlins could do some damage this year. I do think they finish in 4th, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this team shocked the world.
- Philadelphia Phillies
Last year’s NL champs are an interesting team to look at. Rhys Hoskins is likely out for the season, but with the addition to Trea Turner and his massive contract, this will add some additional power to the lineup for the Phils. It is going to be interesting to see when Harper comes back, obviously, he’s the star of this team and is probably one of the best hitters in the division if he’s not already. I think the lineup is still good without these two pieces. Turner hopping into a lineup with JT Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos is an incredible addition to this team. They got rid of Eflin but added Taijuan Walker which I think is a good move. I think he has really good stuff and is a good help for this Phillies team. The Bullpen is looking solid with the addition of Craig Kimbrel, Matt Strahm, and Gregory Soto who is joining the arms of Jose Alvarado and Seranthony Dominguez. I like this team, they have a hell of a lineup. I think they finish and third in the division but squeak by and grab a wildcard spot.
- New York Mets
Oh, the New York Mets. This team always seems to just choke. Something always bad happens to them, like losing the best closer in the league Edwin Diaz for the whole season. Last year they looked to be one of the strongest teams in the league and then just kinda crashed when it mattered. Let’s not act like they don’t have some superstar talent. The addition to Justin Verlander is huge coming off his Cy Young season where he absolutely shoved pretty much all season long. Kodai Senga coming over from Japan will be a fun grab for this team. I enjoy watching g Max Scherzer and Verlander as a one-two punch could be deadly. These guys are getting old, but they still have what it takes to throw up solid numbers and quality starts to help their team win. Fransisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Jeff Mcneil and Sterling Marte are all awesome players in their own individual ways. Imagine what this lineup would’ve been if they had Carlos Correa. I really like the Mets and I think they will be right there with the Braves down the stretch. But the Mets are always gonna Met. They will for sure be in the playoffs, I just can’t see them topping the Braves in the division.
- Atlanta Braves
The Braves have been the head of this division for quite some time now, and I don’t think that ends this season. Taking a look at last season, they had the two best rookies in the NL Spencer Strider and Michael Harris II, with Harris taking the crown for NL Rookie of the Year. Michael Harris is a solid hitter, he can hit for power but is just also one of those guys who steps in the box and hits for average. I love those kinds of gritty hitters who work pitchers in late counts and can get on base with a knock, not looking to hit everything 400 feet. The Lineup is awesome too. Ronald Acuna Jr, Austin Riley, Matt Olson, and Sean Murphy along with Harris and even Marcell Ozuna who has proven he can be a great player. I think Austin Riley is the best hitter in this division probably and I love watching him at the plate. Atlanta also just has an awesome rotation full of tons of talent. Spencer Strider who was filthy last season I think will compete for the Cy Young this year. He has good stuff for a guy who is as young as he is. Max Fried and Charlie Morton will be good pieces for Strider to lean on too. This is just a well-balanced team all around. They have so much firepower in the lineup and a pitching staff that is among the best in all of baseball. The Braves have a huge goal in mind, and they are wanting to go for it all this year.