Expert Riley's NL Predictions

One might call these the greatest teams ever assembled for an MLB Showdown season. However, only one of these teams can actually be the greatest. My division predictions are the first step in finding out which of these teams will prove its greatness. I'll keep these picks short.

"Expert" Riley's NL Picks
*Wild Card team

NL East
Projected Standings:
1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. Atlanta Braves
3. Montreal Expos
4. Miami Marlins
5. New York Mets

Yes, Philadelphia has an amazing team. I don't care about their shaky bullpen or the fact that SS Desi Relaford brings absolutely nothing to the table. The Phillies are winning the NL East handily because their four starters — who are all Cy Young candidates in my book — are that darn good. Each guy is a No. 1 on most teams in the league. Some hiccups for the Phillies could be the division's other starting staffs, which aren't too shabby. The Braves and Expos have the most complete pitching staffs in baseball, while the Marlins and Mets each have bright spots on the mound and at the batter's box. So, as I actually looked at the other teams' rosters, I guess I remembered that the NL East is full of good teams not from Philadelphia. I still expect the Phillies to win the division comfortably, but spots 2 through 5 should be very competitive. Also, I expect Braves slugger Andres Galarraga to lead the NL is homeruns.

NL Central
Projected Standings:
1. St. Louis Cardinals
2. Cincinnati Reds
3. Chicago Cubs
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Cardinals' batting order will give Cubs fans nightmares all season long. From Jon Jay to Yadier Molina, that lineup is stacked with power and high on-base guys. The bats are even backed by a good starting rotation and a solid bullpen. St. Louis should have no trouble finishing with the first or second seed in the NL. There's a chance the Reds might sneak into the playoffs based on the strong middle of the lineup (led by Ken Griffey, Jr.) and stud closer Aroldis Chapman. However, the Northsiders made some great moves this offseason, bringing back fan favorite Nomar Garciapara and signing longtime rival Ivan Rodriguez. I expect those two bats to liven up the order and get the Cubs into third place. Also, Kerry Wood leads the NL in strikeouts. As for the Brewers and Pirates, I think the two teams will be competitive in most contests, yet will underperform as the season goes on. After their first four hitters, the Pirates offense is meek at best. And while the Brewers have some pop and some excellent starters, their mostly low-control bullpen in worrisome.

NL West
Projected Standings:
1. Arizona Diamondbacks
2. San Francisco Giants*
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Colorado Rockies
5. San Diego Padres

Unfortunately, the Padres' bullpen won't be in many save situations, thanks to the other four strong teams in the NL West. I think two of those four teams make the playoffs. The division crown will go to the Diamondbacks, who boast three Tier 2 starters and an underrated lineup. I mean, they have a 10-on-base Miguel Montero batting ninth! The Tim Linecum-led starting staff will pave the way for San Francisco's Wild Card berth, edging the Dodgers' 1-2 punch of Kevin Brown and Clayton Kershaw and the lethal Colorado bats. However, I don't trust the Los Angeles hitters or bullpen, while the Rockies' pitching rotation would struggle against a grade school Tee Ball team. And as for those Padres and the division's best bullpen, I see some close wins and losses outweighed by blowout defeats at the hands of these superior teams.