The NL East? Battle to the Finish?

[Dreamscape]

Currently, the Braves are sitting in second place in the tough, tough NL East. The Phillies are 3.5 on them, but a sign of how quickly things could change. If the Braves lost the next two games and the Nats, Marlins, and Mets won, the Braves would be back in the cellar. The Mets are the only team under .500 and that's all of a game under at 22-23.

Do you think this division will be grouped up most of the year and if not, what teams do you see running away of falling apart?

I think the Nats will fall apart and out of the race. They are the only team that is where they are on luck. According to run differential, the Phils have played like the best team in the division with the Mets, Marlins, and Braves pretty much grouped up. But the Nats have allowed more runs than they have scored. That is simply not a winning formula.

On the other hand, I am concerned the Phils could run away with things again.

[Wahoo]

On paper, the Phils are the leader by heads and shoulders. I think we are playing for the Wild Card. Don't sleep on the Mets. A ton of injuries contributed to their downfall last year. They have whipped us pretty good early on, without Carlos Beltran. I have them as the second best team in the East right now.

[luvdembravos]

The Phillies are head-and-shoulders better than any other NL east team. The Mets suck. They won't be there at the end. I think the Braves will fight it out with the Marlins for second place and possibly the wild card. The Nationals will be a pain in the you-know-what all year long because their offense is decent and they'll be calling up the wunderkind in a few weeks.

[Lauren T.]

Do you think this division will be grouped up most of the year and if not, what teams do you see running away of falling apart?

I think the Nats will fall apart and out of the race. They are the only team that is where they are on luck. ... But the Nats have allowed more runs than they have scored. That is simply not a winning formula.
I read earlier today that the Nats expect Strasburg to make one more AAA start and then move up to the big club (http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=3067497). Do you think that will make a difference? I don't think we can count them out as the supremely weak team in the division anymore.

Barring major injuries, I do think this will be a tight race all the way to September. It's more fun that way, isn't it? :)

[CanadaBravesFan]

I think it will be us and the Phills running away from the pack. Think about it...take out the 9L streak, and we are 23-12. I think that we are this good. JJ will be back and we can go head-to head with anyone from the rotation. We need to make a move with the OF position, IMO. Cabrera and/or Diaz have to be upgraded.

[Gman]

Braves are in the hunt even though McCann has just started hitting since he went back to specs 2-3 weeks ago, J.J. has barely pitched. Mclouth, Escobar and Chipper haven't hit yet. Lowe hasn't had one of his 6-10 start hot streaks yet. Lowe has always had 2 or 3 down months like now even in his good years. He's also always gets at least one or two hot 6-8 start hot stretches even in his bad years. So he's got at least one good hot streak coming.

The Braves are fortunate to be where they are given the lack of performance from the above key players. If it continues all season, they won't go anywhere in the standings. But I doubt that will happen. They've definitely got enough to take Philly. If the law-of-averages starts pulling Escobar, McLouth, Chipper and Lowe back up to their career averages the Braves will take the Phillies right down to the wire.

[Dreamscape]

But...the Phillies fans may point out that Jimmy Rollins has been out most of the year, Ryan Howard's power stroke hasn't even arrived yet, Ibanez has been horrible most of the year, and Victorino's been getting on-base at a .308 clip. They have also been without 40% of their expected staff in Joe Blanton (for most of the year) and J.A. Happ (finally getting back).

Just playing devil's advocate here. As fortunate as the Braves are to be where they are, the Phillies are not playing up to their potential either and they have been head and shoulders above the Braves thus far.

Not to say in any given series, the Braves couldn't take them down. But I think the NL East will go to Philly and Atlanta will be a top contender for the Wild Card.

Cue the "it's not even June yet" comments.

[Dreamscape]

I read earlier today that the Nats expect Strasburg to make one more AAA start and then move up to the big club (http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=3067497). Do you think that will make a difference? I don't think we can count them out as the supremely weak team in the division anymore
Das Wunderkind will help them, no doubt. And as I look at their offense, it should be scoring more runs. Leading the league in caught stealing is not doing them any favors. I still think they need a bat. I can't see Pudge Rodriguez and Christian Guzman playing complimentary roles to Zimmerman, Dunn, and Willingham all season.

Their pitching does need help and I'm not sure if Strasburg will be enough to make them contenders. Livan Hernandez is simply not going to have a sub 2.00 ERA all year. I like what Scott Olsen was doing, but then, he got hurt. John Lannon should figure out things enough to be a decent hurler every fifth day and Jason Marquis could help, but this rotation still lacks much power.

They are a much better club this year than last, but I still think they need another year maybe to put the parts in place.

[BigWorm]

We can't even beat the Nats when they are terrible. They will be a pain in our ass all year long. Good call luvdem

[KB 34]

I still see the Braves as a .500 team as I did before the season started. That said the Braves are hanging around .500 which means they're in a perfect position to make a run if things come together nicely. Having Heyward batting like he has helps the chances. Hudson has pitcher better than I expected and quite frankly seems to be after a Cy Young Award. A number of pieces would need to come together and could, but I don't see it at least right now.

[CanadaBravesFan]

Personally I think we have a great pitching staff, starters and pen and would have a top tier offense with a couple of tweaks. First of all, we need (as I stated before) an upgrade in LF. More importantly, we need Bobby to take Chipper up on his offer and get him out of the #3 hole. Lets face it, Prado has been a machine, and Heyward is the best #2 hitter in the game, IMO. Thats where the inning goes to die with a GIDP to the 2nd baseman or a lazy flyout. Chipper is scorching 2-3 pitches per week. Thats right, per WEEK. I would move McCann into the 3 hole and Glaus to 4 with Chipper 5, Hinske 6, Escobar 7, and McLouth 8. Chipper had mentioned that he would retire if he had another off year. I think he has lost power from last year. I just hope that if it is the case, and he is dwindling at the end of an AMAZING career (I am a Chipper fan), that we are not aying him a fortune for 2 more seasons after this year. The Mariners loved Griffey, but the magic is gone, I just dont want Chipper to be in the most important spot in the lineup if he is in the same boat.