Ricky Dimon
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The National League East has produced 2 of the last 3 World Series champions. Two years after the Washington Nationals triumphed in 2019, the Atlanta Braves won it all last fall.
Nobody should be too surprised if the NL East does it again – especially if it’s in the form of the Braves or the New York Mets. After all, on paper this is without question one of the best divisions in baseball. Although Washington has fallen off since its Fall Classic-winning ways, Atlanta has reloaded and New York’s roster is similarly talented. The Philadelphia Phillies cannot be discounted and even the Miami Marlins should be improved.
Let’s break down the 5 division representatives and discuss some of the best bets to be made.
Atlanta Braves
The defending World Series champions surprisingly lost Freddie Freeman in free agency. World Series MVP Jorge Soler also left. Despite those departures, Atlanta should actually be better than it was in 2021. Ronald Acuna will return shortly from a torn ACL, Mike Soroka could make a comeback this summer, Marcell Ozuna is back, and the Braves will have Adam Duvall and Eddie Rosario for a full season – unlike last year, when they were trade-deadline acquisitions. Add Kenley Jansen and Collin McHugh to a bullpen that was already dominant in the playoffs and it’s hard to find any weaknesses on this club.
Best bet: To win the World Series (+1300)
Check out our full Atlanta Braves team preview
Miami Marlins
Even though the Marlins went 67-95 in 2021, they cannot be entirely discounted. Miami boasts one of the best young rotations in baseball with Sandy Alcantara, Trevor Rogers, Pablo Lopez and Elieser Hernandez. Soler will add some power to the middle of the order and Jazz Chisolm Jr. is a promising second baseman, but this does not appear to be a lineup that can hang with the likes of Atlanta, New York, and Philadelphia. The Marlins are by no means terrible, but asking them to improve by double-digits in the win column when they play in such a brutal division would probably be too ambitious.
Best bet: Under 76.5 wins (-110)
Check out our full Miami Marlins team preview
New York Mets
The Mets went on an offseason spending spree – which is nothing new for this franchise. Will it pay off? It’s definitely possible, but past history suggests otherwise. New York has been loaded on paper more than a few times in recent years and it has gone five consecutive seasons without making the playoffs. That drought is six if you don’t count losing the wild-card games as making it. Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer form a formidable duo at the top of the rotation, but both can be injury-plagued and Scherzer may be past his prime at 37 years old. I once again see more talk than actual substance when it comes to the Mets.
Best bet: Under 90.5 wins (-110)
Check out our full New York Mets team preview
Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia faded down the stretch along with New York, just barely finishing above .500 (82-80) while watching Atlanta surge to the front of the division with room to spare. The Phillies should be decent once again, but they probably did not do enough during the offseason to keep pace with the Mets or catch the Braves. The bullpen has been bolstered considerably, but the starting rotation is lackluster and newcomer Kyle Schwarber is unlikely to take the lineup to the next level. Good news: Philly still has Bryce Harper. The 29-year-old batted .309 with 35 homers in 2021 – his third straight full season (not including 2020) with at least 34 dingers.
Best bet: Bryce Harper to win NL MVP (+1100)
Check out our full Philadelphia Phillies team preview
Washington Nationals
It’s total rebuilding time for the Nationals, who parted ways with Scherzer and Trae Turner last summer. Heck, it’s an entirely new era in Washington now that Ryan Zimmerman – previously the face of the franchise – has retired. The Nats’ lineup isn’t imposing other than Juan Soto and the starting rotation could be terrible. They invested a lot of money in Patrick Corbin three years ago and at this point he could be the worst No. 2 starter in Major League Baseball. Soto, who has hit .351 and .313 the past two seasons, should only be getting better and better. But even if he does, this time will likely be a disaster.
Best bet: Juan Soto Over 33.5 home runs (-105)
Check out our full Washington Nationals team preview
National League East prediction
The Braves won the World Series in 2021 and despite Freeman’s departure their roster only got better – perhaps even a lot better. When you can get them as 7th favorites to win it this year (tied with New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays), it’s an opportunity that should not be passed up.
I, therefore, like the Braves to win the NL East, as well, and you can find them as +150 second favorites behind the Mets (+140) at FanDuel Sportsbook. They are followed by Philadelphia (+400), Miami (+2000), and Washington (+5000). Atlanta at well into plus money is a hot bet.
Read our 2022 MLB season preview, which includes a +4000 World Series longshot!
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