2013 MLB Preview: National League Predictions

Let’s round them up, with plenty of Rockies connections to go around. (Click here for AL predictions).

The champs. Image: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

NL EAST

1. Washington Nationals
2. Atlanta Braves
3. Philadelphia Phillies
4. New York Mets
5. Miami Marlins

One liner: The Nationals are absolutely stacked all around, while the Braves will ride ridiculously good pitching, especially in the bullpen.

Rockies connections: If things go as they have in previous seasons, the Rockies will have a chance to impact this race with their inexplicably strong record against the Nationals.

NL CENTRAL

1. Cincinnati Reds
2. St. Louis Cardinals
3. Milwaukee Brewers
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
5. Chicago Cubs

One liner: Like the Nationals the Reds will overwhelm the rest of the division with their talent, while the Brewers while hang the whole season with the Cardinals and in the race for a wild card spot.

Rockies connections: The Reds will proceed with Shin-Soo Choo in center field after they scoffed at the Rockies’ demands for Dexter Fowler this off-season. Clint Hurdle and his band of former Rockies, including new closer Jason Grilli, continue to build something in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, this year still won’t be the year it all comes together.

NL WEST

1. San Francisco Giants
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
4. San Diego Padres
5. Colorado Rockies

One liner: The Dodgers are one year away from their super-spending spree paying dividends, and we should all know better than to bet against the Giants at this point…Padres will put the Rockies in the cellar thanks to their pitching staff.

Rockies connections: Marco Scutaro will try to repeat his crazy production from 2012 for the defending champs. Huston Street will once again close out games for the Padres. The Diamondbacks are trotting out their version of “clubhouse culture” in their search for gritty players; for now they will be vindicated thanks to deep pitching.

Wild card game: Braves over Diamondbacks

Divisional round: Reds over Braves, Nationals over Giants

League championship: Nationals over Reds

World Series: Nationals over Tigers