I'd like to think that for sports fans what goes around comes around, which would be an odd belief for a Cubs fan but I'm sticking with it. Hey, this century will be amazing. Promise.

To that end, last fall's epic collapse by the New York Mets was a definitely some payback for the Billy Buckner mishap. That might not have been what Jimmy Rollins had in mind when he said the Phillies would be the team to beat, but in the end he got his.

This year should provide several moments to rid Mets fans of that sour taste and one of those may have already happened. Johan Santana is in town and optimism is high, but can one pitcher have that big of an impact?

1. New York Mets

I obviously like the addition of Johan Santana. He gives the Mets many strengths, but most of all his should provide everyone around him with a sense of confidence. Santana got it done without a tremendous lineup in Minnesota, so it shouldn't be any different on the field in the Queens. Off the field will inevitably bring a lot of distractions he hasn't had to face, particularly if he doesn't throw three no-hitters to open the season. That seems like the expectation at the point. You also have to like any team that has Jose Reyes and David Wright. Freakishly, they still haven't hit the peak season of their careers and if improved seasons from '07 happen this summer there's no doubt the Mets win this division.

I don't like what follow Johan Santana in the rotation, but that's nothing new. They almost made the playoffs last year with something similar. I don't like the lingering minor injuries that follow Carlos Beltran. I don't like that Ryan Church and Brian Schneider have batted below .200 in Spring Training.

Prediction: 91-71, NLCS loss

2. Philadelphia Phillies

What's not to like about their lineup? Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard will all be in the MVP discussion again and Shane Victorino is not exactly a slouch in the #2 hole. I'll grant Philly the best lineup in the NL right now. I also like the risk taken on Pedro Feliz, then again I've liked him for about five years now and he's yet to live up to any expectation. Talent is there and he might very well be the deciding factor in a Wild Card berth or a World Series.

I don't like Cole Hamels mindset (love his arm). I really don't like the Phillies bullpen. Still a great team, but because of the pen and a step down from the Mets in pitching I can't pick them to win again.

Prediction: 88-74, Wild Card

3. Atlanta Braves

I love Mark Teixeira as a sleeper NL MVP candidate, but he won't win unless the Braves take the division. I like Jeff Francoeur to improve his contact and I really like Yunel Escobar, but that might be a year or two too soon. I also really like Mark Kotsay's wife, but that might not have a lot of implications on the standings.

I really wanted to be a little more bold and pick the Braves as a Wild Card team but I kept reading over the pitching staff: Smoltz, Hudson, Glavine, Hampton, Jurrjens and I kept seeing missed starts. Mike Hampton has managed to only have one injury scare thus far, while pitching well, but the DL stint is inevitable. In fact, who do you like on the DL first: Kerry Wood or Mike? Maybe it's the Cubs fan in me coming off way too paranoid about pitching staffs and injuries, but do you put a lot of stock into these Braves? The lineup doesn't have the pieces that those above possess.

Prediction: 84-78

4. Washington Nationals

I like their new ballpark which we'll get a chance to see Sunday night.


I like Elijah Dukes, dawg. Combined with Lasting Milledge this team should provide some fun blogging fodder on and off the field. Speaking of Milledge, he hit the longest home run I saw all spring. Granted, I only watched a half dozen games or so and most of those were the Cubs, but still he crushed it. The home run was his only of spring training, but batting .340 this month also provides some confidence in the lineup as the season approaches.

As is the theme with this division, I really don't like the pitching staff. I may have been picking nits with the three staffs above, but this one truly sucks. Shawn Hills is the best they have, who while talented, would be best as a 4th or 5th starter elsewhere.

Prediction: 70-92

5. Florida Marlins

I really like Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla, but since the Marlins only take this seriously every 5-6 years, we're not even going to give them a further thought. Enjoy watching Florida play this year ... all four of you.

Prediction: 69-93

What's your take on the NL East?