2008 Woodie Awards
National League Shakes Things Up In 2007
By Bruce Bugbee
4/18/07 - Sports
Even though the National League is often overshadowed by the American League, the NL teams are in no means slouchs. Look for the NL to give the AL a run for their money this postseason.
NL East
New York Mets
The Mets slugged their way past the rest of the National League East with one of the most potent lineups in all of baseball. The off-season addition of Moises Alou will solidify the bottom of the lineup. Third baseman David Wright is becoming the National League version of Derek Jeter with his on-field performance and his charismatic personality.The only question for this team is their rotation. Beyond Tom Glavine, who can be counted on for 15 wins every season, their rotation is full of young guns and injury prone veterans.
'06 Finish: 1st NL East
'07 Finish: 1st NL East
Atlanta Braves
The Braves have a lot of questions this year. These include health concerns over team anchors Chipper Jones and Mike Hampton, trade rumors for Andruw Jones, and will Atlanta be able to psychologically recover from not making the playoffs last year and ending their 14 year division title streak. If the Braves can negotiate these obstacles, their bullpen and middle of the lineup should be able to lead them into the postseason in the wild card spot. With three pitchers that have closer potential in the bullpen, Atlanta's rotation will be able to take less innings and still get quality starts.
'06 Finish: 3rd NL East
'07 Finish: 2nd NL East
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies is a prime example of how having set of talented players doesn't necessarily translate into a winning team. First baseman Ryan Howard will continue to dominate National League pitchers and Chase Utley will continue to be the most valuable second baseman in the league. Young guns Brett Myers and Cole Hamels could become rotation aces over the course of the year. Regardless of these bright spots, Philadelphia will fall apart over the course of the season due partly to injury and partly to a lack of focus.
NL East
New York Mets
The Mets slugged their way past the rest of the National League East with one of the most potent lineups in all of baseball. The off-season addition of Moises Alou will solidify the bottom of the lineup. Third baseman David Wright is becoming the National League version of Derek Jeter with his on-field performance and his charismatic personality.The only question for this team is their rotation. Beyond Tom Glavine, who can be counted on for 15 wins every season, their rotation is full of young guns and injury prone veterans.
'06 Finish: 1st NL East
'07 Finish: 1st NL East
Atlanta Braves
The Braves have a lot of questions this year. These include health concerns over team anchors Chipper Jones and Mike Hampton, trade rumors for Andruw Jones, and will Atlanta be able to psychologically recover from not making the playoffs last year and ending their 14 year division title streak. If the Braves can negotiate these obstacles, their bullpen and middle of the lineup should be able to lead them into the postseason in the wild card spot. With three pitchers that have closer potential in the bullpen, Atlanta's rotation will be able to take less innings and still get quality starts.
'06 Finish: 3rd NL East
'07 Finish: 2nd NL East
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies is a prime example of how having set of talented players doesn't necessarily translate into a winning team. First baseman Ryan Howard will continue to dominate National League pitchers and Chase Utley will continue to be the most valuable second baseman in the league. Young guns Brett Myers and Cole Hamels could become rotation aces over the course of the year. Regardless of these bright spots, Philadelphia will fall apart over the course of the season due partly to injury and partly to a lack of focus.
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