With Opening day coming this weekend, Sports World News is kicking off our MLB 2014 season preview starting and todays edition is the National League East. The east belongs to the Nationals and the Braves for all intensive purpose, but some of the New York beats think the Mets can string together 85 plus wins. The season is sure to be exciting in the east.
1. Washington Nationals (91-71): The Nationals return to the top after a massively disappointing 2013. Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg are one year older/wiser and should be primed to breakout. The lineup is as deep as any in the league, the rotation could be the best in baseball with a bullpen that is reliable to hold down enough wins to make the Nats a title contender. No brainer here.
2. Atlanta Braves (86-76): The spring can’t end soon enough for the Braves who had to sign Ervin Santana after losing both Brandon Beachy and Kris Medlen for the season. The depth of the Braves pitching will be tested early and often and Santana will have to earn all the money Atlanta gave him. The bats should be much better from 2013 since B.J. Upton and Dan Uggla look to have a pulse which is a start. The race would have been much closer is not for the devastating injuries.
3. New York Mets (80-82): Will the Mets survive without Matt Harvey for the season and Jon Niese suffering from a elbow issue. Zack Wheeler will be the ace by default and top prospect Noah Syndergaard seems to be available if needed in the early going of 2014. The Mets have little to nothing to offer at many positions in the infield and could still sign Stephen Drew to lock down the shortstop position. 85 wins might be a little much for the Mets in 2014, but with Harvey returning, 2015 looks to be a better year for the Mets.
4. Philadelphia Phillies (72-90): What is left of the Phillies from their World Series squad is a island of misfit toys, most of which haven't showed much of anything in their old age. Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley are the foundation, but are shells of their former selves and oft injured. In the rotation, A.J. Burnett looks like an early bust while Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels can’t be relied upon to carry the questionable cast.
5. Miami Marlins (70-92): The Marlins are incredibly young, especially at starting pitching with Jose Fernandez and others all being under the age of 28. Christian Yelich and Giancarlo Stanton provide most of what the Marlins have in the lineup but are plenty fun to watch. The Marlins are certainly a team in rebuilding, but like most teams that have tons of young talent, they could surprise teams in 2014.
Can the Nationals return to form? Tell us @SportsWN
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