The NL East : Division Winner - Atlanta Braves. This team has knocked on the door the last couple of years and this year they break it down. With the addition of Dan Uggla, a 30 HR & 120 RBI guy for the Marlins the last few years, it could be the signing of the year. Chipper Jones will surely be looking to be Comeback Player of the Year after being out most of last year with an injury. The rotation is mostly young and stacked with pitchers that can do enough to keep the Braves in games. The question...the Bullpen. Who can fill Billy Wagners shoes? No one knows yet so the Braves will be hoping someone emerges in that role no later than early May. The competition - the Phillies. Yes, I know, I know I'll say it one more time Halliday, Lee, Hamels & Oswalt. The names and resumes are obviously legendary already. It's all anyone has talked about. But forget them, no one even mentions Joe Blanton who could be the guy to save the season for them. The problem - they're old and injuries are already catching up with Utley & Lidge out for part of April. Jimmy Rollins has been on the decline, can he come back? Ryan Howard will do his usual 35 HRs & 120 RBIs but Raul Ibanez has been declining since 2009. Ibanez & Rollins will have to be at their best if the Phillies are going to, as everyone seems to think "runaway" with the Division.
The NL Central : Division Winner - Chicago Cubs. They've under achieved the last couple of years but I think this year they finally break through. The addition of Carlos Pena although a HR or Whiff kind of hitter can protect Alfonso Soriano which may help Soriano get back to being the treat he was a few years ago. Aramis Ramirez being in the last year of his contract should have a big year as well. The rotation is much better with another former Devil Ray Matt Garza. The Bullpen is also much improved with Kerry Wood back as the 8th inning set up man to Carlos Marmol who had 38 saves last year and should provide the same again. The competition - Cincinnati Reds. It's theirs to lose. Joey Votto should have another great year but Scott Rolen will be 36 this year. Does he have another 20 HR season in him? Also, they lost Edinson Volquez for most of last year and they still won the division but can they survive another season with out him?
The NL West : Division Winner - San Francisco Giants. With as potent a rotation as they have it's hard to believe that they won't win 100 games this year. Also, not too bad a thing to have Brian Wilson slamming the door shut in the 9th inning either. Buster Posey, Aubrey Huff & Pat Burrell will need to have similar years or maybe even better to take some pressure off the rotation but like the Reds, it's theirs to lose. The competition - Los Angeles Dodgers. Matt Kemp needs to have a big year after faltering last year. Also, Andre Eithier & James Loney need to have monster years as well. The rotation & Bullpen are quite good and should keep the Dodgers in a lot of games they may have been out of previously.
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