The 2010 baseball season gives every team a chance to start brand new, with pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training. Soon enough, we'll be back into the swing of things with baseball, as we preview each of the six divisions leading up to the start of the season in April. The National League East will lead things off as the Phillies try to defend their hold of the NL Pennant for a third straight season.
Philadelphia Phillies
Review: The Phillies finished with the second-best record in the National League at 93-69, capturing the NL East crown for the third consecutive season. Philadelphia's offense set the tone once again, racking up an NL-best 820 runs. The Phillies owned four 30+ home run hitters (Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, and Jayson Werth), while all four players drove in at least 90 runs.
The pitching staff was assisted by the acquisition of former Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee from Cleveland. The southpaw won each of his first five starts with the Phillies, while allowing just three earned runs in that stretch. Lee picked up victories in four of his five postseason starts, including a pair of wins over the Yankees in the World Series. Cole Hamels took a step back following his World Series MVP in 2008. Hamels finished just 10-11 with an ERA of 4.32, but his postseason numbers were downright bad. The young lefty gave up 16 earned runs in 19 innings of postseason work, while winning just one of four playoff starts.
Season Outlook: The core of the lineup is still in tact, with Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino setting the tone. The middle of the lineup is by far the most dangerous in the NL, as Utley, Howard, Ibanez, and Werth all should repeat last year's strong offensive output. Lee is now off to Seattle, part of the blockbuster trade that brought another former Cy Young Award winner to Philadelphia in Roy Halladay. The ex-Blue Jays ace should see a nice spike in his personal record now that he doesn't face the Yankees and Red Sox at least eight times a season.
Projected Rotation: Roy Halladay (17-10, 2.79), J.A. Happ (12-4, 2.93), Cole Hamels (10-11, 4.32), Joe Blanton (12-8, 4.05), Jamie Moyer (12-10, 4.94)
Projected Closer: Brad Lidge (0-8, 7.21, 31 saves)
Key Acquisitions: P Roy Halladay (Blue Jays), 2B Placido Polanco (Tigers), C Brian Schneider (Mets), 1B Ross Gload (Marlins), P Jose Contreras (Rockies)
Key Losses: P Cliff Lee (Mariners), 3B Pedro Feliz (Astros)
Trends to Watch: The Phillies were strong in many phases, but perhaps the most profitable situation was facing left-handed pitchers. Philadelphia finished 32-19 against southpaws, while compiling a 15-5 record at home facing a lefty starter after a right-handed starter.
Future Odds: 2/1 to win NL Pennant, according to Sportsbook.com
Florida Marlins
Review: The Fish exceeded expectations once again with the league's lowest payroll, finishing 87-75. Florida found a way to balance solid offensive pieces (Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, and Jorge Cantu), along with a young ace in Josh Johnson to stay in the playoff race until the final week of the season.
The Marlins busted out of the gate at 11-1, but that was assisted by six wins over the lowly Nationals. Florida eventually lost seven straight, and played .530 baseball the rest of the way. The Fish ended with at least 84 wins for the second consecutive season, but finished five games shy of a Wild Card berth. Ramirez led the NL in batting average at .342, while Uggla knocked out a team-best 31 homers. Chris Coghlan claimed Rookie of the Year honors, as the left fielder batted .372 following the All-Star Break. Johnson anchored the Marlins' staff with a 15-5 mark, while tossing 209 innings. Ricky Nolasco was the only other Florida starter to rack up double-digit victories with 13.
Season Outlook: The Marlins were forced by Major League Baseball to spend more money that was received through revenue sharing. Florida re-signed Johnson to a four-year deal, while locking up Uggla, Cantu, Nolasco, and closer Leo Nunez to one-year contracts. After the hot start last season, the Marlins came back down to Earth when facing better competition than the Nationals. Florida will continue to be competitive, but the bullpen is still a concern as this team will be in the Wild Card mix once again.
Projected Rotation: Josh Johnson (15-5, 3.23), Ricky Nolasco (13-9, 5.06 ERA), Anibal Sanchez (4-8, 3.87), Sean West (8-6, 4.79), Chris Volstad (9-13, 5.21)
Projected Closer: Leo Nunez (0-4, 4.06, 26 saves)
Key Acquistions: RP Derrick Turnbow, RP Seth McClung (Brewers)
Key Losses: 1B Ross Gload (Phillies), RF Jeremy Hermida (Red Sox), 1B Nick Johnson (Yankees), RP Matt Lindstrom (Astros), OF Alfredo Amezaga (Dodgers)
Trends to Watch: The Marlins were a solid 'over' play last season at home against right-handed starters, compiling a 34-17-3 mark to the 'over.'
Future Odds: 13/1 to win NL Pennant, according to Sportsbook.com
New York Mets
Review: The best thing that happened to the Mets last season was when October hit and the disastrous 70-92 campaign ended. Granted, New York had too many injuries to even compete, with the likes of Johan Santana, Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, and Carlos Delgado all missing substantial time. The Mets finished second in the NL in batting average at .270, but finished 12th in the NL in runs scored with 671.
Season Outlook: As long as the Mets roll out a healthy squad, they will improve by at least 15-17 wins. Santana still won 13 games last season before getting shut down in August due to shoulder problems. David Wright looks to improve his power numbers after consecutive 30 home run seasons in 2007-08. The Mets' third baseman knocked out just ten homers at spacious Citi Field in 2009. The signing of Jason Bay will give New York more power in the middle of the lineup, as well as a solid glove in left field.
Projected Rotation: Johan Santana (13-9, 3.13), Mike Pelfrey (10-12, 5.03), John Maine (7-6, 4.43), Oliver Perez (3-4, 6.82), Jonathon Niese (1-1, 4.21)
Projected Closer: Francisco Rodriguez (3-6, 35 saves, 3.71)
Key Acquisitions: LF Jason Bay (Red Sox), SP Kelvim Escobar (Angels), OF Gary Matthews, Jr. (Angels)
Key Losses: RP J.J. Putz (White Sox), P Tim Redding (Rockies), C Brian Schneider (Phillies), OF Cory Sullivan (Astros), OF Jeremy Reed (Blue Jays)
Trends to Watch: The Mets' biggest problems came against southpaws, going 16-27 versus left-handed starting pitchers. The best situation to fade the Mets was against lefties on the road, as New York finished 5-16.
Future Odds: 8/1 to win NL Pennant, according to Sportsbook.com
Atlanta Braves
Review: The Braves pieced together one of the stronger starting rotations in baseball, led by Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez, and Jair Jurrjens. Rookie hurler Tommy Hanson shined over the last four months, helping lead Atlanta to an 86-76 mark. Atlanta ranked in the top six in the NL in several major offensive categories such as batting average (.264), runs scored (735), and on-base percentage (.339). The Braves went on an impressive run during mid-September, winning 15 of 17 prior to dropping six straight to finish the season.
Season Outlook: This looks to be Bobby Cox's final season at the helm of the Braves following an outstanding run in Atlanta. The Braves have made plenty of changes on the roster, including the acquisitions of Melky Cabrera, Troy Glaus, and Billy Wagner. Atlanta's rotation will still be strong, but the power in the lineup remains the question, as the Braves will manufacture runs on more of a station-to-station approach.
Projected Rotation: Derek Lowe (15-10, 4.67), Jair Jurrjens (14-10, 2.60), Tommy Hanson (11-4, 2.89), Tim Hudson (2-1, 3.61), Kenshin Kawakami (7-12, 3.86)
Projected Closer: Billy Wagner (1-1, 16 saves, 1.72 ERA)
Key Acquistions: OF Melky Cabrera (Yankees), RP Takashi Saito (Red Sox), RP Billy Wagner (Red Sox), OF Eric Hinske (Yankees), 1B Troy Glaus (Cardinals)
Key Losses: SP Javier Vazquez (Yankees), RP Rafael Soriano (Rays), 1B Adam LaRoche (Diamondbacks), 2B Kelly Johnson (Diamondbacks), OF Ryan Church (Pirates), RP Mike Gonzalez (Orioles)
Trends to Watch: The Braves were a fantastic 'under' play against right-handed starting pitchers, going 59-43-6 to the 'under.' Atlanta profited in two situations as well, compiling a 12-5 home record against left-handed pitchers in night games. The second spot was a 12-6 SU and 13-5 'over' mark on the road against right-handed pitchers in day action.
Future Odds: 13/1 to win NL Pennant, according to Sportsbook.com
Washington Nationals
Review: The Nationals burnt the second-most amount of money last season (-2570 units), as Washington concluded 2009 with the league's worst mark at 59-103. The Nats had several big bats in the middle of the lineup with Ryan Zimmerman (33 HRs, 106 RBI) and Adam Dunn (38 HRs, 105 RBI), but Washington's pitching was the reason for the downfall. The Nats ranked dead-last in the NL in ERA, WHIP, and quality starts.
Season Outlook: The rotation gets a huge boost with the signing of 15-game winner Jason Marquis from Colorado, as well as the acquisition of former Pirate Matt Capps to close games. Zimmerman, Dunn, and Josh Willingham anchor an underrated lineup, but the pitching staff needs to make extreme strides to compete.
Projected Rotation: Jason Marquis (15-13, 4.04), John Lannan (9-13, 3.88), Scott Olsen (2-4, 6.03), Craig Stammen (4-7, 5.11), J.D. Martin (5-4, 5.11)
Projected Closer: Matt Capps (4-8, 27 saves, 5.80)
Key Acquisitions: SP Jason Marquis (Rockies), RP Matt Capps (Pirates), C Ivan Rodriguez (Rangers), 1B Josh Whitesell (Diamondbacks), 2B Adam Kennedy (Athletics), SP Miguel Batista (Mariners), RP Brian Bruney (Yankees)
Key Losses: OF Austin Kearns (Indians), C Josh Bard (Mariners)
Trends to Watch: Washington struggled in many facets last season, but the best 'fade' situation for the Nats came at night against left-handed starters, going 5-18. The Nats went 38-60 when facing right-handed starters in consecutive games, while compiling a 15-29 mark on the road in this situation.
Future Odds: 50/1 to win NL Pennant, according to Sportsbook.com
You can reach Kevin Rogers via e-mail at rogers@vegasinsider.com
