NATIONAL LEAGUE PREVIEW: CUBS: METS: CARDINALS:

East

Atlanta Braves ~ After failing last year, in 2007, "HOT"lanta will be tough to beat . John Smoltz and Tim Hudson lead a Brave rotation that is starting to take shape. Atlanta in the off season have made changes in their bullpen that will payoff in a big way. Atlanta will now feature one of the best relief corps in baseball.
New York Mets~ Last year I did not believe the Mets could win the division due to lack of starting pitching. Willie Randolph did a great job with his walk n' wounded rotation.
Willie was able to pull this off due to the strenght of the New York bullpen. This year Willie will not have the success from the relief corp he enjoyed a year ago. Rotation is still suspect, and unless Omar pulls the trigger on a deal to get a first rate starter, this team will not see October.
Philadelphia Phillies ~ To many people consider the Phillies to be a cinch for the playoffs, I don't see it. Rotaton is not strong, bullpen is a joke. Sure they have Utley and Howard to hit, but pitching is wht it is all about boys and girls.
Florida Marlins ~ I will not waste much ink on a organization that started th 2006 season with nothing.......except a smart young manage in Joe Giraldi, but were foolish enugh not to keep him.
Washington Nationals ~ Front office had equity in Alfonso Soriano, but were not wise enough to trade him last season when they could have aquired good young talent in return. Soriano of coarse, walked at the end of the season, and nw Washington has the worst team in baseall.

Central
Milwaukee Brewers ~ With lefty Chris Capuano, and righty Ben Sheets leading a good rotation, and Turnbow back as setup man for Cordova, the Brewers simply are the best team in this division. The lineup will not have a problem smacking the ball around and scoring runs.
If Ben Sheets can stay healthy this year(and I believe he will), this workhorse can eat up alot
of innings, and keep the bullpen sharp down the stretch.
ST.Louis Cardinals ~ This pitching staft is depleted for the most part. It's Chris Carpenter and who the heck else?
Good thing they can hit, it will nail down second place.
Cincinnatti Reds ~ Last season the Reds were projected to be the NATIONAL LEAGUE Most Improved. With Arroyo and Harang, Reds are in right direction, and should improve slightly from last year.
Chicago Cubs ~ Pinnella and Soriano, is a step in the right direction, but its not enough. This team has many holes to fill before they can be playoff bound.
Houston Astros ~ Team pitching isn't anywhere as strong as it has been in recent years. Offensively, they can not hit their way out of a papper bag.

West
Colorado Rockies ~ The Rockies easily have the best hitting lineup in the West, and one of the strongest hitting attacks in the National League. Pitching is not great, but will be adequate enough in 2007 to help Colorado hang on and win a weak west division.
LA Dodgers ~This team is a bit short in every department, pitching hitting , and fielding. But being a bit short will nail down second place.
San Diego Padres ~ Pitching seems to still be the Padre strong point, hiting is another story.
Arizona Diamondbacks ~ Young team headed in right direction. Pitching could hold up and make the D Backs respectable.
San Francisco Giants ~ Fans can only look forward to the sideshow that this team features as Barroid Bonds is juiced up in his attempt to fraud the game historicly. Enough said.