2010 National League Baseball Predictions

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-Digger's Daily-

National League
East
Philadelphia Phillies
Atlanta Braves *
Florida Marlins
Washington Nationals
New York Mets

Reigning back to back NL Champs Phillies take aim for their third consecutive World Series appearance. They bulked up by getting Roy Halladay and Placido Polanco. Bullpen problems still linger and could cost the Phils a shot at repeating in NL East. Look out for the Braves. It's Bobby Cox final season at the helm. Atlanta is healthy, wealthy and wise. Will it translate into diamond victories? Florida continues to amaze but don't have enough guns to win a title. Washington will play their first inspired brand of baseball since long before leaving Montreal. The Mets? Their pitching is terrible. Starters (minus Santana) will have trouble getting to the 5th. Middle inning bullpen still shaky. Lineup is mostly all right handed, Beltran injured again, Reyes new health concerns, no bonified big league 1B and a home park which helps everyone but Mets players. Watch out for 100+ loss season as all Mets personnel gets run out of town.

Central
Cincinnati Reds
Chicago Cubs
St. Louis Cardinals
Milwaukee Brewers
Houston Astros
Pittsburgh Pirates

Toughest division in baseball to handicap. There's no pure powerhouse club. All have two solid starters (minus Pittsburgh). All have similar style lineups, defense and bullpens. Reds handicap is their ill conceived home park which plays like a glorified little league field. Milwaukee's sporting 2 lefty starters which could get walloped vs predominant right handed power lineups. Cubs are 100 years plus without a championship are no closer. Cards 2009 success was a big surprise to most. NL Central is up for grabs.

West
Colorado Rockies
Los Angeles Dodgers
San Francisco Giants
Arizona Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres

It's time for Colorado to begin winning in April instead of waiting for late August. Rockies young hurlers and heavy lumber will nail down the West. LA has heavy lumber in OF but rotation doesn't strike fear into rivals. Giants are just the opposite. Rotation shreds bats but hitters don't match up well with most other MLB teams. Arizona could be a sleeper team so don't turn your back too quickly. They have pitching & hitting. Defense needs to step it up or it could be a long season. San Diego has quickly transformed into one of NL's worst after near misses only 3 years ago.

NL Champs: Philadelphia Phillies
Batting: Placido Polanco (.333)
HR: Ryan Howard (46)
RBI: Ryan Howard (144)
SB: Michael Bourn (53)
Wins: Roy Halladay (25)
ERA: Tim Hudson (2.38)
Saves: Jonathan Broxton (40)
MVP: Hanley Ramirez
Cy Young: Tim Hudson
Rookie: Jayson Heywood