MLB - National League - Projections of 2005 Season Final Team Standings
American League
National League East
National League West
National League Central
Key Players are the best in their division compared across the board on our NL Cheat Sheet. For example, #3 pitcher compared vs. other #3 pitchers, and #6 in the batting order compared against all other #6 in batting order in the division.
Last Update: March 31, 2005
National League East
1. Atlanta Braves Bobby Cox
2004 Record: 96-66
2003 Record: 101-61
Key Players: R.Furcal, M.Giles, J.Smoltz, J.Thompson, B.Hampton, D.Kolb
Problems: The bottom of the line-up could be sensational or a big disaster. And Kolb for Smoltz is not a bad switch, but hard to mess with something that worked so well.
Recap: Eventually the Braves will be stopped. The NL East will be a big, and surely close battle this year, and Atlanta will need a consisent season from Estrada. Smoltz moving back to the rotation should be interesting.
2. Philadelphia Phillies Charlie Manuel
2004 Record: 86-76
2003 Record: 86-76
Key Players: J.Rollins, B.Abreu, J.Thome, D.Bell, B.Wagner, T.Worrell
Problems: The Phillies rarely believe they can really win.
Recap: The offense should have no problem scoring runs. But, the Phillies will need surprises from their starting rotation if they are going to win the division.
3. Florida Marlins Jack McKeon
2004 Record: 83-79
2003 Record: 91-71
Key Players: J.Pierre, C.Delgado, M.Lowell, P.Lo Duca, A.Leiter
Problems: All around, the Marlins are pretty solid.
Recap: Solid, but not remarkable. The Marlins could win the division, but the team doesn't leap off the page.
4. New York Mets Willie Randolph
2004 Record: 71-91
2003 Record: 66-95
Key Players: C.Beltran, D.Wright, P.Martinez, K.Benson
Problems: Missing a stopper in the bullpen and the top of the order needs to prove itself.
Recap: The Mets bought a lot of help but they are trying way too hard to turn around this team too quickly. More than adding Pedro, it is Beltran who is capable of putting the Mets over the top. However, we think the Mets don't have enough.
5. Washington Nationals Frank Robinson
2004 Record: 67-95
2003 Record: 83-79
Key Players: J.Vidro, J.Guillen, V.Castilla, E.Chavez, C.Cordero
Problems:
Recap: No idea how RFK Stadium will fit this team. Offensively, the team is pretty solid. And they have an anchor for the rotation in Livan Hernandez (and upside in Loaiza). But, this is a competitive division and being respectable means last place.
National League West
1. San Francisco Giants Felipe Alou
2004 Record: 91-71
2003 Record: 100-61
Key Players: R.Durham, B.Bonds, M.Alou, E.Alfonzo, M.Grissom, J.Schmidt, A.Benitez, M.Herges
Problems: The starting rotation always seems to come through but never seems intimidating. Health of Barry Bonds is obviously a major problem.
Recap: Loss of Bonds means this team will have to prove it can win on its own. The pieces are there as veterans like Durham, Alou, Grissom, and Alfonzo could all deliver. Bullpen will be very strong with Benitez introduced by Herges. A lot depends on development of Pedro Feliz.
2. San Diego Padres Bruce Bochy
2004 Record: 87-75
2003 Record: 64-98
Key Players: M.Loretta, R.Hernandez, S.Burroughs, J.Peavy, T.Hoffman, A.Otsuka
Problems: The offense is adjusting to Petco.
Recap: The Padres are definitely competition for the Giants. Top to bottom their line-up and rotation stack up very well, but the Padres will come up short of a division title.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers Jim Tracy
2004 Record: 93-69
2003 Record: 85-77
Key Players: J.D.Drew, B.Penny, J.Weaver, E.Gagne
Problems: Everything but Drew and Kent in the line-up is a problem.
Recap: Without Drew or Kent the Dodgers will have a long season. Pitching has the potential to work out very well, but odds are the rotation will be just mediocre.
4. Arizona Diamondbacks Bob Melvin
2004 Record: 51-111
2003 Record: 84-78
Key Players: none.
Problems: Royce Clayton playing SS and batting 2nd says a lot.
Recap: The Diamondbacks rebuild after trading Randy Johnson. They should get good HR production in the middle of the order and will give up the cellar to the Rockies.
5. Colorado Rockies Clint Hurdle
2004 Record: 68-94
2003 Record: 74-88
Key Players: T.Helton, S.Chacon
Problems: This is no joke, the Rockies have problems everywhere but at first base.
Recap: This is the NL's last place team.
National League Central
1. St. Louis Cardinals Tony La Russa
2004 Record: 105-57
2003 Record: 85-77
Key Players: L.Walker, A.Pujols, S.Rolen, J.Edmonds, J.Isringhausen, J.Tavarez
Problems: The Cardinals lost Renteria at the top of the order. Perhaps even worse, they lost Matheny behind the plate leaving Yadier Molina to pick up the pieces.
Recap: Will the pitching come through this season like it did last season? Replacing Renteria with Ekstein isn't as big a concern. All things considered, the Cardinals have enough to repeat.
2. Chicago Cubs Dusty Baker
Record last season: 88-74
2004 Record: 89-73
2003 Record: 88-74
Key Players: J.Burnitz, T.Walker, C.Zambrano, G.Maddux
Problems: Still need to figure out the bullpen. There seems to be enough talent there, but need to make it work. As for the batting order, a big, healthy season from Garciaparra will be crucial.
Recap: For the Cubs, it all comes down to pitching. If Prior, Woods, Zambrano, and Maddux are on then the Cubs are going to be very hard to beat. Losing Sosa is not insurmountable, but it does mean Patterson and Hairston need to be consistent at the top of the order. In the end, we think the Cubs will make it close this year.
3. Houston Astros Phil Garner
2004 Record: 92-70
2003 Record: 87-75
Key Players: R.Oswalt, R.Clemons, B.Lidge
Problems: Back to square one. The Astros minus Carlos Beltran didn't work last season and yet that's where Houston starts the season.
Recap: A lot of pressure on players like Adam Everett, Morgan Ensburg, and Jason Lane to step up.
4. Cincinnati Reds Dave Miley
2004 Record: 76-86
2003 Record: 69-93
Key Players: K.Griffey Jr
Problems: Starting pitching still not competitive, but has potential.
Recap: Offense will be pretty exciting, especially if Griffey is healthy, but it isn't enough.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates Lloyd McClendon
2004 Record: 72-89
2003 Record: 75-87
Key Players: M.Lawton, J.Mesa, M.Gonzalez
Problems:
Recap: The thing to watch is how good Oliver Perez can be. Otherwise, unfortunately, another season of nothing much in Pittsburgh.
6. Milwaukee Brewers Ned Yost
2004 Record: 67-94
2003 Record: 68-94
Key Players: B.Sheets
Problems: Weak across the board, except for Sheets.
Recap: Milwaukee needs something more than Sheets, like maybe some more runs for him.
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