The Competiton

THE MUTTS:
An interesting team, to say the least. Their pitching is such a question mark beyond Santana (who, really, I don't want to talk about... the image of Frenchy vs. him makes me physically ill). Pedro is the New York version of Mike Hampton, John Maine has broken down in the second half for two straight seasons, Oliver Perez is a Brave slayer (sigh) but who knows if last year was a fluke or not, and everything from beyond there is a question mark. Mike Pelfry? El Duque? These don't look like the type of players a contending team is expected to pitch every two out of five games. Of course, neither are the idiots we threw out last year (Redman? Jo-Jo Reyes? Buddy Carlyle?) so, I'm not calling the kettle black, believe me. The bullpen is great, with Wagner easily being the best closer in the division, if not the whole National League -- always steady (and always very short). The rest of the bullpen is solid -- Heilman and Schoeneweiss are the quintessential set-up guys and young Joe Smith showed a lot of potential last year. Jorge Houdini Sosa is comical -- already up to his old tricks (last game: 3 IP, 3 hits, 2 walks, no runs -- jerk).

As for the offense, there's no need to discuss David Wright -- we get it, he's awesome. Not like a "made-up-by-the-media-because-he's-in-New York-awesome," but awesome in a .416 OBP with 30 HRs at age 24 way. Jose Reyes is the type of player I kind of hate -- fast, always wiggling his bat, and getting dirty because he's got real "heart and grit (aka not real talent)." However, Jose Reyes is not David Eckstein, as his 78 stolen bases shows, in comparison to only 21 times he was caught stealing. Honestly, every time he is up to bat, I'm kind of scared he is going to get on base, even though he only had an OBP of .354 last year. Again, like Wright, he is only 25, so, there's a lot more to go. And what can be said about Carlos Beltran that isn't generic? He's a shoe-in for 30 HRs and 100 RBIs every year (except 2005, apparently), and with Wright and Reyes above him, he's going to see pitches he likes.

But the rest of the offense? Carlos Delgado was forged in the fiery inferno of creation -- I don't think he has that much left in him. Brian Schneider has never hit above .268 in a whole season. Luis Castillo is one of those "real heart and grit (aka not real talent)" type of players -- fear his .350 slugging! (OK, that's kind of mean, he does have a career OBP of .368). Ryan Church and Angel Pagan form a corner outfield of former prospects who were given a lot of opportunities -- to suck. Seriously, when you're picking up the Natspos and Cubs failed players, and starting them, you're in a bad spot.

Overall, the Mutts are a conundrum. In the positions that they are good, they have some of the best in all of baseball (Santana, Wright, Reyes, Beltran, Wagner). Where they're bad, they're really bad (4th/5th starters, bottom of the order). Can that balance win the NL East? Of course it can and, with the addition of Santana, they have to be the favorites since once every five days, they're going to be hard as hell to beat. However, their competition is still very stiff from both the Local Heroes and the...

PHANTASICALLY PHRIGHTFUL PHILLIES:
I'm sure I'm the only person to use the "ph" alliteration when talking about the Phillies, right?

Like the Mutts, I wanted to talk about their pitching first, but... really? Outside of Cole Hamels, who really is that good (nearly a K an inning last year, age 23), there's not a single pitcher on that team who scares me, starter or reliever. If Carlos Delgado is old, Jaime Moyer is time itself. I guess Kyle Kendrick has some potential (he is 23), but, he was incredibly erratic last year -- and I don't think you want the #3 starter on a team with playoff bound expectations learning the strike zone as he goes. Brett Myers is (insert a joke about him being a wife beater), but, more importantly, the owner of a career 4.34 ERA -- not exactly the ace they need. Who knows if Brade Lidge will ever be healthy and/or good, but what we do know is Tom Gordon will never be back to his Yankee days. Hey, at least they got Rudy Seanez so Jaime Moyer can have someone to recollect the Great Flood with.

But that offense -- Jesus. Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, and Chase Utley form a trio that constitute three of the best players in the game, and easily the best offense in the division, if not the entire National League (Tigers probably take the cake for all of baseball). Howard hit 47 homes runs in 144 games last year, Utley drove in 103 RBIs and missed a month, and Rollins had 94 RBIs -- in the lead-off spot and has missed 8 games in the last three years. However, unlike the Mutts, they have a lot of depth outside of their top three. Make fun of him as you will, but Pat the Bat is basically a shoe-in for 30 HRs and 100 RBIs every year (though, it's about as empty a 30/100 as you'll get, though, he does walk more than people give him credit for). Shane Victorino exploded on the scene last year with a ridiculous 37-for-41 stealing bases. Geoff Jenkins, an import from Milwaukee, will platoon with Jayson Werth, which should give him so additional life since he hits lefties as well as I do -- however, he could easily hit 25 homeruns, as he did during his peak with the Brewers. Thirdbaseman Pedro Feliz is not good at all (no, seriously, he sucks) and catcher Carlos Ruiz is, you know, a catcher -- they can't all be Brian McCann!

The Phillies are interesting, very reminiscent of the Texas Rangers from a few years ago -- all offense, no pitching. However, that's not really fair because Rollins/Utley/Howard are all significantly better than the Rangers were. I also admit I could easily be sleeping on their pitching: maybe this will be the year Meyers gets it all together or maybe Cole Hamels will take the leap (which is certainly possible -- he's only 24!) and win 18 games. However, I know that offense will keep them in the race right until the end.

THE REST:
Not a deep analysis on the Natspos or Fish since they really aren't threat to win the division, however, it should be noted that they can not be slept on -- they will not be easy wins for anyone. Both their problems are pitching -- the Natspos threw Odalis Perez (SIGH) as their opening day starter and the Fish tried to one-up then by throwing out Scott Olsen. However, both teams have a lot of potential and are very well managed (especially with Manny Acta on the Natspos) and boast offenses that are deceptively good. Local hero Ryan Zimmerman and a healthy Nick Johnson form a very potent back-to-back for the Natspos and Hanley Ramirez for the Fish could easily be the best player in the National League. Also, Uggla/Willingham/Jacobs are all players who could be starting on much better teams, all potential to hit 20-25 HRs. Both teams have solid closers (Cordero on the Natspos and Gregg on the Fish), which means they're going to get all their saves against us, since the Braves never hit semi-decent relief pitching (prove me wrong, guys!). I know it's shameful to compare these two teams and say they're so similar, but, this is already long enough. However, trust me -- neither of these teams are as bad as ESPN "analysts" says they are and both could win 70-75 games (with the Natspos having a better shot than the Fish), though, I wouldn't put money on it.

PREDICTION:
Sorry, I'm not going do it. Seriously, it's too hard to tell and I don't want to jinx the Braves. I honestly don't know who is the best team in this division. I just know it's going to be very, very competitive. If you live and die with every game, this is not going to be a very fun year, however, if you're a fan of great baseball games, this is going to be a good one...