Fearless Forecast - NL East

As promised it’s time to reveal Putley’s Picks. These are the predictions that I decided on at the start of the season, and I am resisting the temptation to change them based on the first couple of weeks of play. We’ll start with one of the strongest divisions in baseball, with three teams that are worthy contenders for a World Championship this year. Any of them could go all the way. Here’s how I see it:

1. Philadelphia Phillies - It all starts with pitching, and Philly has an excellent staff, led by the one-two punch of Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler. They also have a solid group of other starters, including the unfortunately named Ranger Suarez, and an excellent bullpen. The lineup is also deep, with superstars like Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto, and Kyle Schwarber. They also have solid players like Alec Bohm, Bryson Scott, and Brandon Marsh, who looks like an off-the-grid moonshiner, but is an excellent defensive outfielder and a decent hitter.

   There are no real holes, but the team is aging, and there is a feeling this may be their last best shot with this group. This may be the year the Philly Phanatic has a reason to dance.

2. New York Mets - A good team with an owner who is definitely all in. Steve Cohen is a hedge fund manager with an estimated net worth of over 21 billion. When he acquired the team in 2020 for a paltry sum of 2.4 billion, he pledged to do whatever it takes to bring a championship to long suffering Mets fans. Cohen made Juan Soto the richest non-Japanese player to add to sluggers Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, and Brandon Nimmo. Center fielder Jose Siri may not know all the answers, but he is a very capable player. The pitching staff doesn’t really have the big name starters, but there is decent depth if the injuries don’t mount. I’m ranking the Mets this high based on the core and Cohen’s willingness to make trades and spend money to add to it. And I like closer Edwin Diaz’s walk-up song.

3. Atlanta Braves - Never count out this franchise. They get high performance results from their pitching staff and always have a solid lineup, but they’re going into the season with some injuries including Ronald Acura Jr, the proverbial “straw that stirs the drink”. They still have a very capable roster including Ozzie Abies, Matt Olson, and Austin Riley, but my feeling is they may fall a little short this year.

4. Washington Nationals - The Nats are still rebuilding after the roster dismantling following their 2019 World Series victory, and are quietly assembling a nice group of young talent, but they are short of the powerhouses in this division. They have some quality pitching, and feature an all-star shortstop in CJ Abrams and an exciting slugger named James Wood, who is listed at 6’7” and 234 pounds. As you might expect, when he connects with a pitch, it goes a long way! For obvious reasons, my favorite player on the team is first baseman Nathaniel Lowe.

5. Miami Marlins - Quick, how many players on the Marlins can you name? Without looking, I came up with three. 2022 Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara is their best player, so Miami will probably trade him. The reason I knew two others on their 40 man roster, Liam Hicks and Max Acosta, was they were traded there by the Rangers to obtain Jake Burger. The Marlins tradionally don’t draw many fans. That probably won’t change this year.

   
   

   There you have it - one down and five to go.

   That’s one man’s opinion - what’s yours?