2010 Major League Baseball Preview and Predictions: National League Edition

National League East
1. Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies' acquired ace Roy Halladay to headline another deep staff for the defending National League Champions. Whether Hamels can rebound or not, remains paramount to the Phillies' aspirations in 2010. Once again, Philadelphia fields the most vaunted and versatile National League lineup, bolstered by new third baseman Placido Polanco. Four returning Phillies impressively totaled 30+ home runs in 2009, while different four players recorded 20+ stolen bases. The Phillies led the league in runs scored, home runs, doubles, and slugging percentage in 2009. Although the Braves should prove a worthy adversary, expect the Phillies to win the NL East, while contending for another National League pennant.

2. Atlanta Braves: The upstart Braves should contend for the Division Championship in 2010, after finishing six games back in '09. The AL East battle likely emerges as the most anticipated race in the National League. The Braves' organization is loaded with young talent, most notably, potential ace Tommy Hanson, rising star second basemen Martin Prado, and future face-of-the-franchise, Jason Heyward. The team's young bats must continue to develop, while the Braves' rotation may become the best in baseball in 2010. The performance of new closer, Billy Wagner, and the team's inexperienced bullpen may ultimately determine the Braves' success as NL East contender or pretender.

3. New York Mets: The Mets served as the most disappointing team in baseball, posting a pathetic 70 wins in 2009. The team should finish the 2010 season closer to its 2008 total of 89 wins, to upstage the scrappy Marlins for the division's No. 3 spot. The Mets' bats ranked last in home runs with 95, 50 fewer than any other NL East ballclub. Additionally, New York recorded the fourth fewest road wins in baseball in 2010. A healthy David Wright and off-season acquisition Jason Bay should provide instant offense for the Mets. Ultimately, the Mets' lack of quality rotational depth will prevent the franchise from reaching the postseason for the fourth straight season.

4. Florida Marlins: The Marlins surprisingly recorded 87 wins in 2009, finishing merely five games behind the Phillies. The talented small-market squad should remain competitive in 2010, led by best shortstop in baseball, Hanley Ramirez, and an unassuming cast of budding stars, including Dan Uggla, Chris Coghlan, Jorge Cantu, and Cody Ross. Ramirez joined the 20-20 club for the third consecutive season, while hitting a career high .342 in 2009. Last season, the Marlins impressively ranked No. 3 in team batting average. With the team's nucleus in tact, expect similar efficiency in 2010. Josh Johnson headlines a talented young rotation, fresh off a remarkable 22-6 combined record, during the past two seasons.

5. Washington Nationals: The easiest prediction in baseball: the Nationals will finish last in the NL East in 2010. Washington won the fewest games (59) in 2009, while ranking last in the league in team ERA and posting a 13-34 record versus division opponents. No. 1 pick, Stephen Strasburg simply cannot pitch soon enough for the NL's leanest rotation. The team expects big things from new closer Matt Capps and increased production from the youthful outfield trio of Dukes, Morgan, and Willingham in 2010. Willingham and Dunn respectably combined to slug 71 home runs and recorded 211 RBIs, collectively last season. Stunningly, Morgan became the only National League player to steal 40+ bases and hit .300 in 2010.

National League Central
1. St. Louis Cardinals: If the Cardinals' vaunted rotation remains healthy, the team should repeat as NL Central Champions. Wainwright and Carpenter emerged as baseball's winningest 1-2 punch in 2009, combining for an outlandish 36-12 record. St. Louis desperately needs Lohse to rebound in 2010, while off-season acquisition, Brad Penny, should bolster a dominant staff. The Cardinals also return one of baseball's best bullpens, headlined by steady closer, Ryan Franklin. The "Big 3" of Pujols, Holliday, and Ludwick should provide elite pop in the middle of the lineup, but will need the Cards' young supporting cast of Colby Rasmus, Brendan Ryan, and David Freese to grow up quickly to secure the NL Central title. Pujols remarkably recorded 30+ home runs, 30+ doubles, 100+ RBIs, and a .310+ batting average for the ninth consecutive season as a Cardinal.

2. Chicago Cubs: Expect the Cubs to disappointingly miss the playoffs for consecutive seasons, albeit in a closer race than last season. Health remains critical to Chicago's success, after injuries ravaged the squad in '09. Theriot, Ramirez, and Lee unfortunately served as the only Cubs (with at least 250 at-bats) to post a .260 batting average last season. The team will need far greater efficiency at the plate to contend in 2010. The Cubs' talented rotation returns this season with its four best pitchers in tact. Expect Zambrano to reemerge as Chicago's ace, winning 15 to 18 games in 2010.

3. Cincinnati Reds: The Reds may emerge as the sleeper team in the National League playoff hunt, after 78 wins in 2009 and 74 in 2008. Cincinnati returns four 20+ home run hitters, but rank No. 29 in team batting average in '09. Rising star Joey Votto joined Pujols, Braun, and Pablo Sandoval as the only players to amass 25+ home runs, 35+ doubles, and a .320 batting average in 2009. The team's promising pitching staff placed in the top ten in team ERA, home runs allowed, and opponents' batting average last season, but will need Johnny Cueto to return to pre-All Star form (3.62 ERA), after a disappointing second half in 2009 (5.81 ERA).

4. Milwaukee Brewers: Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder collectively slugged 78 home runs and 255 RBIs to spearhead the NL's No. 3 offense in runs, home runs, and slugging percentage. Fielder impressively ranked No. 2 in home runs (46), No. 1 in RBIs (141), No. 2 in total bases, and No. 2 in slugging percentage in 2009. If youngsters Casey McGehee, Alcides Escobar, and former-Twin Carlos Gomez produce, the team could inevitably compete for the Division crown. However, the team's pitching remains considerably inferior to the other division contenders, ranking second to last in the NL in team ERA and WHIP, and last in complete games. New additions Randy Wolf and Doug Davis should provide a veteran presence in the rotation, while the ageless wonder, Hoffman, led NL closers in ERA (1.83). Expect the stopper's dominance to continue this season, after recording 30+ saves for an astonishing 14^th time in 2009.

5. Houston Astros: The Astros finished 17 games behind the Cardinals in 2009 and fans should not expect significant improvement this season. However, the team's lineup should increase productivity, after last season's lackluster performance at the plate. Berkman, Lee, and Pence each totaled 25+ home runs in '09, while new Astro, Pedro Feliz, should provide considerable pop as well. The performance of veterans Oswalt, Berkman, and Lee will likely determine whether the team impacts the NL Central race slightly or considerably in 2010.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates: The last-place Pirates added a number of players in the off-season; however, expect the team to repeat as NL Central cellar dwellers. The team remains rich with raw talent, including Andrew McCutchen, Garrett Jones, Ryan Doumit, and Lastings Milledge; however, the lineup ranked last in runs, No. 28 in batting average, No. 28 in home runs, and No. 29 in total bases. The Pirates' rotation lacks a front-end presence, as Ohlendorf returns as the only starting pitcher with a sub-4.00 ERA in 2009. The team's new addition, Dotel, will assume the closer's responsibilities in 2010, headlining a serviceable Pittsburgh bullpen.

National League West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers: Expect the Dodgers to repeat as NL West Champions in a heated four-team race in 2010. Apart from Wolf and Garland, the team returns baseball's best pitching staff (3.41 ERA), guided by the dominant young arms of Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, and Hiroki Kuroda. The Dodgers also lost key contributors Orlando Hudson and Juan Pierre, but the team's versatile lineup should continue develop behind budding outfield stars, Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp. Ethier joined Pujols as the only National League players to record 40+ doubles and 30+ home runs in 2009.

2. San Francisco Giants: Although the Dodgers' will exceed the Giants in wins, expect San Francisco to continue to challenge the Dodgers' claim as baseball's best pitching staff. Lincecum should approach 20 wins this season, after combining with Matt Cain for 29 wins in 2009. Additionally, relievers Wilson, Affeldt, and Medders return to lead one of the league's most dominant bullpens. New additions Derosa and Huff should aid the Giants' lackluster lineup. Pablo Sandoval emerged as one of baseball's most complete hitters in 2009, impressively batting.330 with 44 doubles, 25 home runs, and 90 RBIs.

3. Colorado Rockies: After Colorado's miraculous regular season run to the playoffs in 2009, the team returns seven 15+ home run hitters this season. The Rockies' vaunted lineup led the league in slugging and ranked No. 2 in runs, home runs, and total bases. After reaching the postseason two of the past three seasons, expect the superior pitching of the Giants and Dodgers to make the difference down the stretch, although Colorado's pitching staff has improved considerably, behind dominant young arms Jimenez, De La Rosa, and Street.

4. Arizona Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks finished a dismal 22 games behind the Dodgers in 2009. Rare bright spots Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds both entered baseball's 20-20 club in 2009, while Reynolds stroked 44 home runs last season. Arizona acquisition Adam LaRoche should also bolster the team's talented young lineup. Haren's dominance, the return of Brandon Webb, and addition of Edwin Jackson should allow Arizona to improve to 80+ wins in 2010.

5. San Diego Padres: Expect the Padres to finish below the 80-win clip for the third consecutive season. Shockingly, not a single Padre compiled a .280 average (minimum 200 at-bats) in 2009, a feat accomplished by nine different Angels. Adrian Gonzalez should challenge the 40 home run plateau once again, but the Padres field, arguably, the worst overall lineup in 2010, along with the Pirates and A's. San Diego's staff should continue to improve, particularly, Kevin Correia and Clayton Richard, along with the team's dependable bullpen.

2010 National League Individual Season Predictions
NL MVP: Albert Pujols, Cardinals.
Runner-Up: Ryan Howard, Phillies.
NL Cy Young: Tim Lincecum, Giants.
Runner-Up: Tommy Hansen, Braves.
Rookie of the Year: Stephen Strasburg (if called up), Nationals.
Runner-Up: Jason Heyward, Braves.
Runs Leader: Pujols, Cardinals.
Home Run King: Prince Fielder, Brewers.
RBI Leader: Ryan Howard, Phillies.
Stolen Bases Leader: Michael Bourn, Astros.
Batting Champion: Pablo Sandoval, Giants.
Wins Leader: Chris Carpenter, Cardinals
ERA Leader: Lincecum, Giants.
K's Leader: Lincecum, Giants.
Saves Leader: Brian Wilson, Giants.

References: All statistics and roster information as reflected on MLB.com.