Mets to Battle Nationals in National League East

Major League Baseball opens its regular season on Sunday April 3. The National League East is expected once again to be a two-team race again this season between the defending division champions the New York Mets and last season’s favorite to win the division the Washington Nationals.

The Mets have a three-man pitching rotation that is likely the best in the league, while the Nationals rotation is nothing to shake a stick at and they have baseball’s all-around best player.

The Atlanta Braves last season were 67-95. This season their win total is expected to be 67.5 while their odds to win the division stand at +8,000.

The Braves did pick up Erick Aybar at shortstop and Ender Inciarte for the outfield, which will help both defensively and at the plate. Julio Teheran could be the ace of the pitching staff.

Pick: Under 67.5 wins

The Miami Marlins were 71-91 last season. The team’s win total for this season sits at 79.5 and their odds to win the division are +1,200.

Dee Gordon will help Miami at second base on defense, at the plate and on the base paths. Gordon batted .333 last season and stole 58 bases. Giancarlo Stanton is back healthy and hit 27 home runs in just 74 games last season.

Pick: Under 79.5 wins

The New York Mets were 90-72 last season. This season the Mets win total is 89.5 and their odds to win the division are -130.

The defending champions in the National League have the best pitching rotation in baseball. Their closer is reliable and their hitting has remained average. Losing Daniel Murphy to Washington will hurt.

Pick: Over 89.5 wins

The Philadelphia Phillies were 63-99 last season. The Phillies win total for this season is 65.5 and their odds to win the division are +8,000.

The talent on Philadelphia is very young and this will be a learning season in the big leagues for many of them. Ryan Howard remains at first base and should improve on his numbers from last season.

Pick: Over 65.5 wins

The Washington Nationals last season were 83-79. The Nats win total for this season is 88.5 and their odds to win the division are +120.

The Nats have the best overall player in Bryce Harper. The acquisition of Murphy from the Mets will help the infield. The pitching rotation is close to being as good as the Mets. The Nats will give the Mets all they can handle this season.

Pick: Over 88.5 wins