[ThePundit]

Mets- Have really improved their bullpen and offense. I'm assuming Pedro, Glavine and Trachesel all stay healthy. If Zambrano gets off to a slow start, they can start Heilman. I think this is the year the Mets finally overtake the Braves.

Braves - Good starting staff but I don't love the bullpen and closer. And anyhow, they have to lose eventually, don't they?

Phillies: I love Aaron Rowand but they have a weak back end of the rotation with Franklin and Madson. Not to mention the fact that the bigger the game, the worse Tom Gordon pitches.

Nationals:. Livian's Livian and I like Patterson but I just don't love the rest of the starting staff.

Florida: For a franchise that's won 2 World Series in a short amount of time, I hate to call them a joke but can they be described any other way? Just disband them already.

[Lefty Noob]

It'll be a close race between the Mets and Braves, but in the end I think Atlanta pulls it out. There's no good reason to say that, because on paper New York has a better lineup and bullpen. The hitters are closer than the starters are, though. I'm just not sold on the Mets rotation being able to carry games to that improved pen, so I expect a lot of tired arms amongst the RPs in the middle of the season. It'll be a tight one, though.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

It'll be a close race between the Mets and Braves, but in the end I think Atlanta pulls it out. There's no good reason to say that, because on paper New York has a better lineup and bullpen. The hitters are closer than the starters are, though. I'm just not sold on the Mets rotation being able to carry games to that improved pen, so I expect a lot of tired arms amongst the RPs in the middle of the season. It'll be a tight one, though.

Yep...mets ain't got the arms this year...

[BigBadBuc]

Gotham,

You are right. The Mets don't have the arms nor do they have the legs.

Feet? They are strong in the feet area.

Have I drifted a bit here?

BBB

[MVB]

Mets will win the East, the Braves will grab the wildcard (no spot for Houston)....

Mets' starting pitching is the only shaky spot, but if Martinez and Glavine are healthy, the Met's bolstered offense will help them gain some wins. Wagner in the bull pen.... Delgado, Beltran, Wright, Floyd..... powerful lineup....

[legend]

Phillies This is their year, despite Gordon
Braves Even Rome fell
Mets The biggest word in the English language is IF
Nats Washington will regret the return of this kind of baseball
Marlins Wrap them in yesterday's paper

[florida]

Since my last post was deleted from this thread by the yankees of the forum...

I'll just say it will please me to no end when the Mets fall flat on their collective asses once again...

we'll see how long this post holds up now...

[rmjvol]

Your post, suh, was NOT deleted by some Yankee. I'm 92% Tennessee redneck having been here since I was 3 yrs old
And in all seriousness, posts only get deleted when you break 1 or more forum rules.

[desertrat]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Mets- Have really improved their bullpen and offense. I'm assuming Pedro, Glavine and Trachesel all stay healthy. If Zambrano gets off to a slow start, they can start Heilman. I think this is the year the Mets finally overtake the Braves.

Braves - Good starting staff but I don't love the bullpen and closer. And anyhow, they have to lose eventually, don't they?

Phillies: I love Aaron Rowand but they have a weak back end of the rotation with Franklin and Madson. Not to mention the fact that the bigger the game, the worse Tom Gordon pitches.

Nationals:. Livian's Livian and I like Patterson but I just don't love the rest of the starting staff.

Florida: For a franchise that's won 2 World Series in a short amount of time, I hate to call them a joke but can they be described any other way? Just disband them already.

I learned years ago to never pick against the Braves winning their division as long as Bobby Cox is manager.

1) Braves
2) Mets
3) Phillies
4) Nationals
5) Marlins

[florida]

Originally Posted by rmjvol

Your post, suh, was NOT deleted by some Yankee. I'm 92% Tennessee redneck having been here since I was 3 yrs old
And in all seriousness, posts only get deleted when you break 1 or more forum rules.

well I can tell by the picks on this thread I'm either gonna take a lot of ribbin' or feast for days... time will tell...

[rmjvol]

Originally Posted by florida

well I can tell by the picks on this thread I'm either gonna take a lot of ribbin' or feast for days... time will tell...

Sounds like you could get some pretty good odds from the others

[dirtysouthnut]

I still think this is the braves division, even though the mets did bulk up their team in the offseason they still need to play 162 games where anything can happen. I think the thing to watch is how the braves pitching staff does with Leo not there anymore.

[pete_b]

I think the East is pretty cut and dry here:

Mets
Braves
Phils
Nationals
Marlins

[Wizard of Os]

Apologies for getting this in late; i realize the season is .62% or so finished, but i always procrastinate with my baseball picks for some reason. (As though seeing the opening-day results will really help...)

1. Braves -- no other team has ever won this division. Why should it change?

2. Mets, who beat out the Cardinals and Rockies for the wild-card slot and thus fulfill the only requirement to play in the World Series.

3. Phillies

4. Marlins

5. Nationals -- If only so we can again riff on that great line so common in the 1950s: "Washington: First in war, first in peace, last in the National League East."