Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves have a solid, young team. They may be too young to compete in 2017, however, it looks like they may be able to compete in the future. The Braves ripped the hearts out of Mets fans when they signed beloved Met, Bartolo Colon. Pair Bartolo Colon with Julio Tehran and R.A. Dickey and the Braves have a solid pitching staff. Their young hitting stars, Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson will shine this year, but they won’t have enough pieces around them to make them playoff contenders just yet.
2017 Record Prediction: 78-84 (3rd Place)
Miami Marlins
The Marlins are going to struggle this year. The team is still trying to regroup and come together after the death of their teammate Jose Fernandez. The team is going to have an uphill climb. The team already must deal with Fernandez not being in the clubhouse, but also there is rumors that the owner is looking to sell the team. When the team is up for sale, the player’s mindset changes and it’s not a good look to start the season. Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, and Dee Gordon will shine because they always do, but with their thin pitching rotation, the team will struggle.
2017 Record Prediction: 74-88 (4th Place)
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are still a mess, and it looks like they’ll be a mess for a couple more years. They’re best players are still developing in the minor leagues, until they are ready for the Major-League level. The team has a definite Brightside, because they have picked in the top 5 of the MLB draft the last few years. However, the team has no hope for this upcoming season. Not only will the Phillies be on the bottom of the N.L. East, but they’ll be in the bottom 3 of the MLB draft. They’re scouts are in for a lot of work because they’ll need to evaluate the best prospects for years to come.
2017 Record Prediction: 64-98 (Last Place)
Washington Nationals
Well, the bleeding of the N.L. East stops here. The Nationals look prime and ready to make another playoff run. The Nationals have been one of the best teams in the MLB in the last few years. They struggled in 2015, but bounce backed last year, making the NLDS and winning the N.L. East. Reigning CY Young award winner, Max Scherzer looks to have another beast year, along with their number 2 pitcher Stephen Strasburg. If Strasburg can stay healthy, they’ll have one of the best rotations in baseball. Pair that with their lineup of former MVP Bryce Harper, postseason hero Daniel Murphy and all-star Jason Werth, the Nationals should be ready to make another run. But, there is a possibility of a bad season like 2015. Lots of expectations and no playoffs. Will it happen this year too?
2017 Record Prediction: 92-70 (2nd place)
New York Mets
Syndergaard, deGrom, Harvey, Matz, Wheeler, Gsellman, Lugo, Salas, Reed, Familia. That is present day murder row as a pitching rotation. No team in the MLB wants to face those pitchers and the Mets throw those guys at you every day. Each guy has proven to be an absolute stud on the mound, especially the first 5 mentioned. The first 5 are the Mets starting pitchers. When healthy, they are the best rotation in all of baseball. However, each one of those guys have been dealing with pre-existing injuries, and it is still unknown if they’ll stay healthy. However, if they are healthy and stay healthy, they’re unhittable. Pair that with the likes of Yoenis Cespedes, Neil Walker, David Wright, Jose Reyes, Asdrubal Cabrera, Jay Bruce, Michael Conforto, etc. this team looks prime and ready to repeat their 2015 magical season of going to the World Series, expect this year, in 2017, the one mission for the team? Win the whole damn thing.
2017 Record Prediction: 95-67 (1st palce)
Oh, and Tim Tebow is in the Minor Leagues. It’s always good to have an angel on your side.
