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April 2007
NEW YORK METS (2006 Finish: 97-65)
The Mets came within a game of the World Series and hope that better health, especially in the pitching staff, and a good mix of emerging young players and veteran performers, will get them to the October Classic this year. After rotator cuff surgery, Pedro Martinez won't be back until August, if then, so New York needs another good year from Tom Glavine, Orlando Hernandez, Oliver Perez and a maturing John Maine to stabilize the rotation. Bill Wagner, who saved 40 of 45 during the regular season, is the closer. The attack, led by Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, Paul Lo Duca, David Wright and the recently acquired Moises Alou (who feasts on lefties) should produce more than adequate run support. Who's New: OF Alou, P Scott Schoenweis, P Amriorix Burgos. Who's Through: OF Cliff Floyd, P Chad Bradford.
By the Numbers:
Home: 50-31, Away: 47-34
Day: 36-19, Night: 61-46
Vs. Left: 25-22, Vs. Right: 72-43
One-Run Games: 31-16
Bets and Pieces: The Mets had the best record in all baseball in one-run games last season.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (2006 Finish: 85-77)
The Phillies haven't been to the playoffs in 13 years but an improved starting rotation might make enough of a difference to lead the team into October play. Freddy Garcia and Adam Eaton join Brett Myers Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer in a solid rotation and Tom Gordon is a reliable closer. But the loss of both Gavin Floyd and Arthur Rhodes creates a concern for an adequate bridge from starter to closer. Bet you didn't know that 3-4 hitters Chase Utley and Ryan Howard had more homers and more RBIs than Boston's David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. Who's New: Garcia, Eaton, 3B Wes Helms, C Rod Barajas, OF Jayson Werth. Who's Through: Rhodes, Fultz, P Randy Wolf, C Mike Lieberthal, OF David Dellucci.
By the Numbers:
Home: 41-40, Away: 44-37
Day: 29-23, Night: 56-54
Vs. Left: 23-22, Vs. Right: 62-55
One-Run Games: 22-23
Bets and Pieces: Despite their ups and downs over the past six years, the Phillies have not had a losing season in night games since 2000.
ATLANTA BRAVES (2006 Finish: 79-83)
Atlanta missed the playoffs for the first time since 1990 last season but a return to post-season play could be in the offing if Mike Hampton, who missed all of 2006 with Tommy John surgery, can rejoin a starting rotation that includes dependable arms John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and Chuck James. Bob Wickman finally gives the Braves a strong closer. Promising Jeff Francoeur and Brian McCann join Chipper Jones and Andrew Jones in the middle of a lineup that should produce runs. Martin Prado takes over a 2B for Marcus Giles. Who's New: P Rafael Soriano, P Tanyon Sturtze. Who's Through: Giles, P Horacio Ramirez.
By the Numbers:
Home: 40-41, Away: 39-42
Day: 24-24, Night: 55-59
Vs. Left: 18-23, Vs. Right: 61-60
One-Run Games: 19-33
Bets and Pieces: The Braves' fall from grace can be traced to the worst record in baseball in one-run games (.365).
FLORIDA MARLINS (2006 FINISH: 78-84)
Florida was supposed to lose 100 games last year but instead was in the playoff race until the final weeks of the season. Manager Joe Girardi was rewarded for his efforts by being dumped and now it's up to Fredi Gonzalez to motivate the young and largely underpaid Marlins players. Dontrelle Willis heads a staff that had four rookies win at least 10 games each last year, the first time that's been done in Major League Baseball history. There's problems in the bullpen and only 3B Miguel Cabrera had more than 79 RBIs. Who's New: 3B Aaron Boone, P Kevin Gregg, P Felix Rodriguez, OF Alex Sanchez. Who's Through: P Joe Borowski, P Matt Herges, IF Wes Helms.
By the Numbers:
Home: 42-39, Away: 36-45
Day: 22-24, Night: 56-60
Vs. Left: 20-28, Vs. Right: 58-56
One-Run Games: 20-26
Bets and Pieces: Last year's results aside, the Marlins are 12 games over .500 in day games over the past seven seasons.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS (2006 Finish: 71-91)
The Nationals have done next to nothing to improve themselves meaning last place in the NL East is a near certainty again. John Patterson is fine at the top of the rotation but there are questions everywhere else. The bullpen, headed by closer Chad Cordero, is more than adequate but the attack will suffer the loss of Alfonso Soriano and the fact that cleanup hitter Nick Johnson still is nursing a femur bone he broke in September. Who's New: P Ray King, P Emiliano Fruto, P Jerome Williams. Who's Through: OF Soriano, IF Jose Vidro, OF Jose Guillen, P Tony Armas Jr., P Ramon Ortiz, P Felix Rodriguez.
By the Numbers:
Home: 41-40, Away: 30-51
Day: 26-27, Night: 45-64
Vs. Left: 24-23, Vs. Right: 47-68
One-Run Games: 23-20
Bets and Pieces: The Nationals have been dreadful on the road the last three seasons, posting a 102-141 record (.419).
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