National League East Predictions

10 Predictions for the National League East


Just like last week, I will make 10 predictions that I think will happen in the 2012 Major League Baseball season.  At the end of the year we will come back, look at the predictions and see how well I do.  Here are my predictions for the National League East.

1.  The Philadelphia Phillies will not miss Ryan Howard that much.  Jim Thome will do a good job in his absence and will be a great locker room guy for that team.
2.  Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, and Cliff Lee will all finish in the top 5 of the Cy Young, and Halladay will win it again.
3.  The best hitter for the Braves will not be Chipper Jones, Jason Heyward, or Brian Mcann.  It will be first baseman Freddie Freeman.
4.  Atlanta will use their starters more this year so they don't the talented bullpen... Again.  This time it will be successful as they make the playoffs.
5.  Steve Strausburg will not go on the disabled list this season, but the Nationals will limit his innings severely.  He will still win 10 games and strike out 150 batters in 150 innings this year.
6.  Bryce Harper will not play a major league game this year.  But he will be the opening day centerfielder next year.
7.  Hanley Ramirez will be in Ozzie Guillen's doghouse at some point this year, and Ozzie will call him out.
8.  The better acquisition for the Marlins will not be Jose Reyes.  It will be Mark Buehrle.
9.  David Wright will be wearing a uniform that is not the New York Mets come August.
10.  The Phillies have too much pitching and will win the division title, and the Braves will capture one of the wildcard spots in Chipper's last hurrah.  Both the Marlins and the Nationals will still be playing meaningful baseball in September and the Mets will get one of the top 5 picks in the 2013 draft.

Predicted Order of Finish.

1.  Phillies
2.  Braves
3.  Nationals
4.  Marlins
5.  Mets