2013 NL East Predictions - shadow2201's Dynasty

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2013 NL East Predictions

Posted on March 17, 2013 at 08:24 PM.

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I know predictions mean very little in the grand scheme of things, but making predictions based on the teams themselves is always fun. So lets dive in!

1. Washington Nationals
2012 Record: 98-64, 1st place
2013 Prediction: 100-62

Yep, I'm taking the Nationals to be first again, with a slight improvement in their record. They have Bryce Harper who is going to be a little more seasoned, Werth should be healthy, and their pitching got slightly better with Haren, who I think is a slight upgrade over Edwin Jackson.

2. Atlanta Braves
2012 Record: 94-68, 2nd Place
2013 Prediction: 95-67

The Braves should come in a close second, with their young pitching staff and upgraded offense I think it will balance out pretty much like last season. If the young pitching can get things done in Beachy's absence, then look for the Braves to potentially overtake Washington and once again be back on top in the NL East.

3. Philadelphia Phillies
2012 Record: 81-81, 3rd Place
2013 Projection: 77-85

With a re-vamped team the Phill's look to build on a mediocre season last year, but I'm not sold quite yet. They are definitely a solid team but with aging pieces in Michael Young, Jimmy Rollins, and Chase Utley, along with them come major injury risk. They will also need their pitching to be better this year, as we know Hamels and Hallady should be solid but Cliff Lee will need to bounce back.

4. New York Mets
2012 Record: 74-88, 4th Place
2013 Projection: 74-88

The Mets are in a position to improve in their pitching but in the hitting arena they don't have much. Ike Davis will really need to pull himself together and bat higher than .220, and David Wright will have to keep playing at a high level to even have a chance at scoring runs this year. This team is really going to have to pull together, as they have pretty good pitching, but very poor hitting overall.

5. Miami Marlins
2012 Record: 69-93, 5th Place
2013 Projection: 60-102

This team, last year, looked like it was finally committed to winning long term, and then they started struggling and once that hit, they started shedding all those big names they signed in the offseason. They are full of youth so they are going to have to do some major growing this year to avoid a 100 loss season, but with the youth, and the lack of upside to a lot of their offense and pitching, I don't see it happening!