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NL East Preview


Washington Nationals

Projected Record: 92-70

If history proves anything, this should be a disappointing season for the Nationals. Over the last 4 year the Nats have won the division in 2014 and 2016 but didn’t even make the playoffs in 2013 and 2015. The Nats have been averaging 84.5 wins in odd years and 95.5 wins in even years. I don’t think history repeats itself this year. The Nationals come into the season as the heavy favorites (-160) to win the division. This season is about more than just winning the division, its NLCS or bust for them. They have one of the most talented rosters in baseball, and if Trea Turner is who everyone says he is this odd year won’t be a bust for them.

New York Mets

Projected Record: 90-72

The Mets return basically the exact same team as last year, sounds like a good thing, but they only won 87 games. That was despite having limited starts from Jacob DeGrom, Steven Matz, and Matt Harvey. If they can get a full season out of those three and then you throw in Noah Syndergaard in the mix, this is a team that could have a better record than some other division winners but will end up playing in a one and done Wild Card game. It looks like they will lose Jeurys Familia to a suspension for his legal trouble, but the offense and starting pitching should be able to carry them past that month or so suspension without issue. Their biggest obstacle this year is going to be staying healthy, they stay healthy and they will be playing deep into October as a Wild Card.

Atlanta Braves

Projected Record: 77-85

The Braves finished 2016 very strong, posting the 3rd best record in the NL after Aug 20th. Moving into a new ballpark, they will have a successful year when compared to their previous season, but not having won a division since 2013 will continue into 2018 as they continue to rebuild. Freddie Freeman will have another MVP-caliber season and Dansby Swanson will be the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year. This will be an exciting team to watch and will give their fan base something to be excited about. But a fight for the division title and a legit playoff contender are for next year.

Miami Marlins

Projected Record: 75-87

The Marlins were a victim to an injury during the World Baseball Classic. Although not serious, Martin Prado is going to miss at least a month. The Marlins have one of the best outfields in baseball and their bullpen is extremely underrated. But the tragic loss of Jose Fernandez will obviously hurt. Edison Volquez is now the ace and that speaks for itself about the rotation. Marlins are +2000 to win the division and I think those odds are still too low for this underwhelming team.

Philadelphia Phillies

Projected Record: 70-92

Hard to say a team that only won 71 games last year overplayed their season, but their expected W-L was 9 games worse than their actual record. Most of the time a team who has that big of a differential between actual W-L and expected W-L heading into the playoffs is considered lucky, but what do you call a team who finished with a losing record, last place in their division, and has that big of a differential in actual vs expected W-L? Phillies have some bright young stars on their roster, but they are still a couple years away from competing as a team.

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