The National League East has been one of the most surprising divisions in baseball, mainly due to the disappointing Washington Nationals. The Atlanta Braves have played about as expected for a team with a lot of big names. The other three teams in the division are playing like most anticipated as well which is poorly. We all know that the Miami Marlins are the worst team in the National League with the New York Mets not too far behind. The Phillies have some big names but have a very unreliable bullpen.
My predictions at the beginning of the year had the Washington Nationals winning the East and I only did that because I didn’t want to be a “homer” and pick my team the Atlanta Braves. Now that I have seen how the first half has shaped up, it is safe to say I was wrong and that makes me more happy than you could ever know. Below is how I suspect the NL East to finish up the season.
NL East Final Standings:
1. Atlanta Braves 95-67
2. Washington Nationals 83-79
3. Philadelphia Phillies 76-86
4. New York Mets 73-89
5. Miami Marlins 61-101
As you can see the Atlanta Braves will be running away with this division and the Marlins will reach the 100 loss mark. Although I have the Nationals with a record over .500 I believe that they will not receive a Wild Card spot as the two Wild Card slots will go to teams in the NL Central. I do also believe that Domonic Brown will surpass 30 home runs and finish the season with 35 long balls and 95 RBIs. He is having a breakout season right in front of us.
Although the New York Mets will miss the playoffs once again, I see some bright spots in their pitching as Matt Harvey has looked phenomenal and should remain that way for a very long time in the big apple. Zack Wheeler also looks like he could be a big time pitcher for the Mets as well.
If we are giving out awards for just this division you would have to give the MVP award to Freddie Freeman who has been amazing this year. In a lineup full of ups and downs Freeman remains the one guy who can provide on the lowest of days. The rookie of the year award would clearly go to Jose Fernandez of the Miami Marlins who has pitched spectacular this year. If I had to give a coach of the year award it would most like go to Fredi Gonzalez even though I don’t think he is deserved of said award.
Overall, I envision the second half of the 2013 season going a lot like the first half. If the Braves can come out of the gates hot, they could run away and have this division wrapped up by mid-September. Although I have seen crazier things happen, so don’t count out the Nationals or the Phillies just yet.