2009 Baseball Preview – National League – East

National League – East

 Atlanta Braves                        Pitching, long a Braves forte, has Derek Lowe heading the rotation and Tom Glavine returning as the 5^th starter.

 The challenge for Bobby Cox, now entering his 20^th year at the helm, is getting some consistent pop beyond Larry “Chipper” Jones. Veteran Garrett Anderson, when healthy, provides some heft as does switch-hitting catcher Brian McCann (.301, 87 RBIs).

 Lineup

Rotation

Florida Marlins                       Promising pitching and solid offense mask a porous defense. Despite being in contention for a wild-card spot late into the year, Florida committed 117 errors, second most in the national league. Second baseman Dan Uggla committed a record three errors in last year’s all-star game.

22 year-old rookie Cameron Maybin should be a sparkplug leading off and playing center for a team with the lowest payroll in the majors.  

Lineup

Rotation

New York Mets               In his sophomore year, manager Jerry Manuel will have enough pitching to go with a potent offense to carry New York deep into October. Playing in slick new Citi Field, the Mets shored up their late relief issues with Francisco Rodriguez and JJ Putz. If they can stay healthy that is some pretty overpowering stuff coming out of the bullpen in the late innings.

With the offensive punch of the Dos Carlos (Beltran/Delgado) preceded by top level set up hitters Jose Reyes (56 SB) and Daniel Murphy (.313), the Mets should be real contenders to overtake the Phillies.

Lineup

Rotation

Philadelphia Phillies                                    Can the World Champs repeat?

With pretty much the same lineup, Philly fans have every reason to have high expectations. Fortified by a solid switch-hitting combo of Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez with powerhouse Ryan Howard in between them, the Phillies will be among the run scoring leaders.

Cole Hamels leads a rotation that has tremendous relief support. The Phillies blew a league-low 15 saves.

Lineup

Rotation

Washington Nationals                    In making some moves by ridding themselves of a slew of veterans with multi-year contracts, Washington is clearly focusing on the future.

Not likely to contend this year, the Nationals do have plenty of potential in their youth movement. Almost half of their pitchers are under 27. Team president Stan Kasten knows something about that. He presided over Atlanta’s 14 consecutive division titles which were keyed by the development of talented young pitchers who grew in the organization to stardom.

 Adam Dunn is the offensive linchpin. The switch-hitting slugger has four straight seasons of 40 home runs.

 Lineup

Rotation

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