Tuesdays with Smitty: Navigating through the National League

As I have sat here and sifted through the National League one word seems to stand out – parity. Try to pick a possible NL Champ and contenders, is like a pot luck dinner party – Who knows who is bringing what to the party. The National League really has a bunch of teams that can win it all. Like we saw with the Colorado Rockies, it may come down to who gets hot at the end of the season and can carry it over. I actually asked my faithful cat – Beckett who he would pick. Well true story, he touch about 4 or 5 teams on the computer screen. So with that in mind, let’s give this a shot.

The Cream of the Cream – New York Mets, Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers

N.Y. Mets – The Johan Santana trade was key for the Mets. Okay, I am stating the obvious. But with Santana being the Number #1 starter on the team takes pressure off Pedro. It also gives a 1-2 punch for the Mets with Oliver Perez, Joe Maine and Mike Pelfrey finishing out the rotation. Can the young 3-4-5 hold up and give the Mets decent outings? The offense should score runs with Reyes, Beltran, Wright and Delgado. What will Ryan Church bring to the table? Will Moises Alou help or is his aging body falling apart? Bullpen is solid, anchored with Heilman and Wagner. Is this Willie Randolph’s last stand?

Atlanta Braves – Two blown games and they are 0-2. Ahh, they are out of it. Yeah right. One thing is for sure, never count out a Bobby Cox managed team. Starting pitching is solid with Hudson, Smoltz, the return of Tom Glavine, Chuck James and Jair Jurrens. Bullpen should be okay, anchored by Gonzalez, Soriano. But there has been health issues there, so it may become an issue if they can’t hold up. Offense should score runs with Chipper, Texiera, McCann, Francoeur and others. How with the young Jurrens hold up in the rotation? Are they going to miss the glove of Andruw Jones.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Joe Torre is at the helm and despite falling short with the Yankees the past couple of years, the change in weather might bring on a NL pennant. Scoring runs shouldn’t be a problem for this team. Rafael Furcal is healthy and at the top of the lineup. Matt Kemp, Andre Either and James Loney are potential stars in the making. Jeff Kent, Andruw Jones and Russell Martin should provide the pop in the lineup. If Mrs. Hamm can stay healthy, there is another quality bat in the lineup. Then comes the pitching led by Brad Penny, Derek Lowe, Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda should give the Dodgers quality starts night in and night out. The bullpen with Broxton and Saito should hold up. Do the Dodgers have enough pop in their lineup? Can Andruw Jones shake of f a lousy 2007 and be productive in 2008? Will Jason Schmidt contribute?

The Cream of the National League – Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks. See what I mean? This wasn’t easy and any of these teams could probably win their divison.

Chicago Cubs – Potential for a potent offense with Ryan Theriot, Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Derek Lee and Japanese import Kosuke Fukudome. Starting rotation has Zambrano and Lily at the top. Can Dempster, Rich Hill and Jason Marquis provide a solid 3-4-5? Will Kerry Wood hold up as the closer?

Milwaukee Brewers – There is no question their offense can score, with Fielder, Braun, Hardy, B. Hall, Gabe Gross and Corey “I wear my sunglasses at night “ Hart. Pitching staff is not spectacular, but should be solid with Sheets (who has the potential to be a dominant #1), Suppan, Dave Bush and Carlos Villanueva. Does the loss of Chris Capuano hurt? Bullpen is a huge question mark – especially after spending a lot of money for Eric Gagne. Are they expecting him to be the 40 save guy? If so, it could be a long year for the offense and Ned Yost.

Arizona Diamondbacks – This team looks very tough, but is also young. Are they ready? Rotation is anchored by Brandon Webb and Danny Haren. Doug Davis was diagnosed with cancer and could be a huge loss in the rotation. Micah Owings and Randy Johnson make the rotation very tough. Offense is led by Stephen Drew, Conor Jackson, Chad Tracy and Chris Young. Bullpen is led by closer Brandon Lyons. But is the offense ready for a run? Can Johnson stay healthy? This team could be in playoffs come October.

Colorado Rockies – Offense can score runs, led by reigning MVP Matt Holliday. Rotation led by young Jeff Francis is underrated for pitching in Denver. Is Ubaldo Jimenez ready for a full season? How will Redman and Kip Wells do in the Mile High? Bullpen is led by Manny Corpas. Can the Rockies duplicate their amazing run at the end of the 2007 season?

San Diego Padres – Pitching, pitching in the pitcher’s haven PETCO Park. Jake Peavy, Greg Maddux and Chris Young are a formidable 1-2-3 for any starting rotation. Can Mark Prior give them anyting? He won’t pitch until May at the earliest. Offense was anemic last year and the front office did little to improve it. Can Jim Edmonds stay healthy? Can Scott Kouzmanoff help Adrian Gonzalez? Bullpen is a strength, but they might not have enough offense.

Philadelphia Phillies – Take what I said about the Padres and reverse it. Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard say enough. Runs will not be a problem. After Cole Hamels, who has the potential to be a #1, who is taking their turn every 5 days? Brett Myers, the “young” Jamie Moyer and Josh Fogg? Can they hold up? Brad Lidge was brought in to be the closer, but is out with a knee injury for a couple more weeks. Tom Gordon showed them yesterday that they need him to come back soon. Can Gordon and J.C. Romero bridge the gap when Lidge gets back? Should be a lot of high scoring affairs in the sand box known as Citizens Park.

The Half and Half of the National League – St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros

The St Louis Cardinals shed off some old weight and may be in a transition year. Gone is Edmonds and Rolen. Can Glaus protect Pujols? Was Ankiel a 3 month wonder? Rotation has names and scars. Carpenter, Clement and Mulder all are coming off surgery. Can they provide a solid rotation and stay healthy? Is Adam Wainwright ready to step up? Jason Isringhausen was hurt last year too. Is he ready to reclaim the closer’s position? A lot of questions and right now – not enough answers.

Houston Astros are led by Roy Oswalt. With a solid offense of Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman, Miguel Tejeda and Hunter Pence, they should be able to score runs. After Oswalt, there appears to be a lot of questions with their rotation. Wandy Rodriguez, Brandon Backe and Shawon Chacon anchor the bottom of the rotation. But in the tough NL Central is that enough? Is there enough in the cupboards for the Astros to make a run?

Not so good Cream of the National League – Florida Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants. Florida should be competitive led by Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla. Cincinnati is almost good enough to make it up a group. I think they might be a year away. But Aaron Harang, Ken Griffey, Adam Dunn, and co. might make me look bad. The Pirates – I have no idea what they are doing.. Sorry Pirates fans, although you are fantasy choice of the Jack Fuller Mutton Chops. I guess that is promising. San Francisco; This had to happen when the average age on the team last year was 45 years old. Matt Cain and Todd Lincecum add a promising future as this team tries to rebuild. Does the Barry Zito signing make any sense now? Especially since he might be the highest paid #4 starter in the MLB history?

Winners: Drum roll please……… I am going with the NY Mets in the East, Chicago Cubs in the Central and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. The wild card goes to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

NLDS: Arizona shocking the NY Mets. The Los Angeles Dodgers over the Chicago Cubs.

NLCS: Arizona over the Los Angeles Dodgers

It is safe to say that I may have given the Arizona Diamondbacks the kiss of death. Sorry Diamondback fans. The crazy part about this? Would it surprise anyone if we see the Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies in the playoffs instead? So let’s hear what you have to say. For right now, I have to cover my ears, as I can hear the screaming all the way from Alaska. See you next Tuesday…