NL EAST

Phillies
Braves
Marlins
Mets
Nationals

There it is.  That is how they will finish. 

Why not start a breakdown of every division with the easiest to call.  Philadelphia comes into this season every bit as talented as last year.  In some senses they went and got better.  They now have the best in the business in Roy Halladay.  He will prove a vital tool when the Phils make it back to the playoffs.  Philadelphia has a bit of karma on their side by throwing geriatric hurler Jaime Moyer every fifth day, and some say the elderly are useless, puhshaw.  Philadelphia has an American League type lineup with hitters one through eight and will run away with the division, if they decide to win at home this year.

The problem for prognosticators comes at second and third place.  Therein lies real challengers to the wild card race.

While both the Braves and Marlins tout strong pitching staffs, the Braves get the edge with a little more depth.  Even with a sophomore jinx,  Tommy Hanson will be one of the best 4th starters in baseball.  He should keep his ERA under 3.50 and net at least five more wins over the Marlins fourth hurler Chris Volstad. 

The Mets should find a way to under utilize Johan, Beltran, Reyes, Wright, and Bay.  They will suck but not in a way that anyone will notice.  Which is the worst kind of suck. 

The Washington Strasburgs will sell out every five days if and when their lord and savior Stephen Strasburg gets called up.