NL baseball preview

By Kevin Baxter

March 26, 2011 12 AM PT

EAST

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

2010: 97-65, first

Last year in playoffs: 2010

Jayson Werth (.296, 27 HRs, 85 RBIs) is gone and Chase Utley will start the year on the disabled list. But with this starting pitching rotation, who cares? Three years ago, Cole Hamels was the World Series and playoff MVP; now he’s the fourth starter. Philadelphia got a league-best 70 wins from its rotation in 2010 and that was before it added Cliff Lee.

Starting lineup

(in projected batting order)

SS J. Rollins

3B P. Polanco

LF R. Ibanez

1B R. Howard

RF B. Francisco

CF S. Victorino

C C. Ruiz

2B W. Valdez

Pitching rotation

R. Halladay (R)

C. Lee (L)

R. Oswalt (R)

C. Hamels (L)

J. Blanton (R)

Closer

B. Lidge (R)

ATLANTA BRAVES

2010: 91-71, second

Last year in playoffs: 2010

At age 38, Chipper Jones’ return from knee surgery was uncertain. But the way he has played this spring has silenced the doubters. And with Dan Uggla joining a lineup that already featured Jason Heyward, Martin Prado and Brian McCann, the Braves should score a lot of runs. The key is, can the pitching staff (3.56 ERA in 2010) and a rookie closer in Craig Kimbrel make those runs stand up?

Starting lineup

(in projected batting order)

LF M. Prado

SS A. Gonzalez

3B C. Jones

RF J. Heyward

C B. McCann

2B D. Uggla

1B F. Freeman

CF N. McLouth

Pitching rotation

T.Hudson (R)

D. Lowe (R)

J. Jurrjens (R)

T. Hanson (R)

M. Minor (L)

Closer

C. Kimbrel (R)

FLORIDA MARLINS

2010: 80-82, third

Last year in playoffs: 2003

With only one starter older than 29, the Marlins are led by two rookies of the year, Chris Coghlan and Hanley Ramirez, and two other 20-somethings, Mike Stanton and Gaby Sanchez, who combined for 41 homers and 144 runs batted in in their first full season, 2010. Gone is Dan Uggla, who took his team-leading 33 homers and 105 RBIs — and 149 strikeouts — to Atlanta.

Starting lineup

(in projected batting order)

CF C. Coghlan

2B O. Infante

SS H. Ramirez

RF M. Stanton

LF L. Morrison

1B G. Sanchez

C J. Buck

3B D. Murphy

Pitching rotation

J. Johnson (R)

R. Nolasco (R)

J. Vazquez (R)

A. Sanchez (R)

C. Volstad (R)

Closer

L. Nunez (R)

NEW YORK METS

2010: 79-83, fourth

Last year in playoffs: 2006

To make new Manager Terry Collins a winner, the Mets need bounce-back seasons from a host of players. Among them: Jason Bay and the injury-plagued Carlos Beltran. They also need Rule 5 pick Brad Emaus to seize the second base job. If Johan Santana’s rehabilitation from shoulder surgery remains on pace, he could return to the rotation by midsummer.

Starting lineup

(in projected batting order)

SS J. Reyes

CF A. Pagan

3B D. Wright

RF C. Beltran

LF J. Bay

1B I. Davis

2B B. Emaus

C. J. Thole

Pitching rotation

M. Pelfrey (R)

J. Niese (L)

R.A. Dickey (R)

C. Young (R)

C. Capuano (L)

Closer

F. Rodriguez (R)

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

2010: 69-93, fifth

Last year in playoffs: 1981 (as Montreal Expos)

The franchise last had a winning record in 2003. But it’s just marking time until the future arrives with the return of pitcher Stephen Strasburg from elbow surgery and the accession of top draft pick Bryce Harper. Until then, Jayson Werth (27 HRs, 85 RBIs with Philadelphia) and Ryan Zimmerman (.307, 25, 85) will try to keep the fans interested.

Starting lineup

(in projected batting order)

CF N. Morgan

RF J. Werth

3B R. Zimmerman

1B A. LaRoche

LF M. Morse

SS. I. Desmond

2B D. Espinosa

C I. Rodriguez

Pitching rotation

L. Hernandez (R)

J. Lannan (L)

J. Marquis (R)

J. Zimmerman (R)

T. Gorzelanny (L)

Closer

D. Storen (R)

CENTRAL

CINCINNATI REDS

2010: 91-71, first

Last year In playoffs: 2010

The Reds made few changes after their most successful season in two decades. League MVP Joey Votto (.324, 37 HRs, 113 RBIs) leads an offense that topped the National League in several significant categories. Former 17-game winner Edinson Volquez returns from injury and a drug suspension to replace Aaron Harang in an improved rotation.

Starting lineup

(in projected batting order)

CF D. Stubbs

2B B. Phillips

1B J. Votto

3B S. Rolen

CF J. Bruce

LF J. Gomes

C R. Hernandez

SS P. Janish

Pitching rotation

E. Volquez (R)

B. Arroyo (R)

J. Cueto (R)

H. Bailey (R)

T. Wood (L)

Closer

F. Cordero (R)

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

2010: 77-85, third

Last year in playoffs: 2008

When Zach Greinke returns from a cracked rib, he’ll top the deepest rotation in the division. And with a lineup that includes Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, the Brewers are legitimate playoff contenders. That could put a big load on John Axford, a 42nd-round draft pick entering his first full season as a closer. He made good on 24 of 27 chances last summer.

Starting lineup

(in projected batting order)

2B R. Weeks

RF C. Hart

LF R. Braun

1B P. Fielder

3B C. McGehee

SS Y. Betancourt

CF C. Gomez

C J. Lucroy

Pitching rotation

Y. Gallardo (R)

Z. Greinke (R)

S. Marcum (R)

R. Wolf (L)

C. Narveson (L)

Closer

J. Axford (R)

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

2010: 86-76, second

Last year in playoffs: 2009

The loss of Adam Wainwright hobbles a rotation that led the league in earned-run average last season and places a load on Kyle Lohse and former reliever Kyle McClellan, who combined for a 5-12 record and 4.63 ERA last season. Any lineup with Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday is potent, but even those two may not be enough to keep the team in contention.

Starting lineup

(in projected batting order)

2B S. Schumaker, 2B

CF C. Rasmus

1B A. Pujols

LF M. Holliday

RF L. Berkman

3B D. Freese

SS R. Theriot

C Y. Molina

Pitching rotation

C. Carpenter (R)

J. Westbrook (R)

J. Garcia (L)

K. Lohse (R)

K. McClellan (R)

Closer

R. Franklin (R)

CHICAGO CUBS

2010: 75-87, fifth

Last year in playoffs: 2008

The Cubs showed some fight in spring training, with teammates Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Silva squaring off in the dugout. The incident gave Manager Mike Quade a chance to prove he’s in charge. A full season from 21-year-old Starlin Castro should help the offense and closer Carlos Marmol (38 saves, a record 15.9 strikeouts per nine innings) is electric.

Starting lineup

(in projected batting order)

RF K. Fukudome

SS S. Castro

CF M. Byrd

3B A. Ramirez

1B C. Pena

LF A. Soriano

C Geovany Soto

2B B. DeWitt

Pitching rotation

R. Dempster (R)

C. Zambrano (R)

M. Garza (R)

R. Wells (R)

A. Cashner (R)

Closer

C. Marmol (R)

HOUSTON ASTROS

2010: 76-86, fourth

Last year in playoffs: 2005

The Astros are rebuilding after dealing Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman last season. With Wandy Rodriguez, Brett Myers and J.A. Happ, they have the makings of a nice rotation. On offense, Carlos Lee gives them a legitimate threat in the middle of the lineup and leadoff hitter Michael Bourn has led the league in steals the last two seasons.

Starting lineup

(in projected batting order)

CF M. Bourn

2B C. Barmes

RF H. Pence

LF C. Lee

3B C. Johnson

1B B. Wallace

SS B. Hall

C Humberto Quintero

Pitching rotation

B. Myers (R)

W. Rodriguez (L)

J.A. Happ (L)

B. Norris (R)

N. Figueroa (R)

Closer

B. Lyon (R)

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

2010: 57-105, sixth

Last year in playoffs: 1992

The Pirates say their rotation and their lineup are works in progress. That’s pretty much par. The Pirates haven’t had a winning season in two decades and haven’t won as many as 70 games since 2004. However, they may have a bright future with budding stars Andrew McCutchen, Jose Tabata and Neil Walker, plus former Dodgers prospect James McDonald.

Starting lineup

(in projected batting order)

LF J. Tabata

2B N. Walker

CF A. McCutchen

3B P. Alvarez

1B L. Overbay

RF G. Jones/M. Diaz (platoon)

SS R. Cedeno

C C. Snyder

Pitching rotation

P. Maholm (L)

K. Correia (R)

J. McDonald (R)

R. Ohlendorf (R)

C. Morton (R)

Closer

J. Hanrahan (R)

WEST

SAN FRANCISCO

2010: 92-70, first

Last year in playoffs: 2010

The World Series champions kept their core intact, which was especially important with a pitching corps that led the majors with a 3.36 earned-run average. The bullpen, led by saves leader Brian Wilson (48), was one of two big league units with an ERA below 3.00. The offense should be improved with Buster Posey, Cody Ross and Pat Burrell in the lineup from the start.

Starting lineup

(in projected batting order)

CF A. Torres

2B F. Sanchez

1B A. Huff

C B. Posey

3B P. Sandoval

LF P. Burrell

RF C. Ross

SS M. Tejada

Pitching rotation

T. Lincecum (R)

J. Sanchez (L)

M. Cain (R)

B. Zito (L)

M. Bumgarner (L)

Closer

B. Wilson (R)

COLORADO ROCKIES

2010: 83-79, third

Last year in playoffs: 2009

The pitching staff falls off precipitously after 19-game winner Ubaldo Jimenez, but the middle of the lineup is solid with triple-crown threat and league batting champion Carlos Gonzalez (.336, 34 HRs, 117 RBIs) followed by Troy Tulowitzki (.315, 27, 95). Colorado needs a big bounce-back season from 37-year-old Todd Helton, whose .256 average in 2010 was 68 points below his career mark.

Starting lineup

(in projected batting order)

CF D. Fowler

RF S. Smith

LF C. Gonzalez

SS T. Tulowitzki

1B T. Helton

3B I. Stewart

2B J. Lopez

C C. Iannetta

Pitching rotation

U. Jimenez (R)

J. De La Rosa (L)

J. Chacin (R)

J. Hammell (R)

E. Rogers (R)

Closer

H. Street (R)

DODGERS

2010: 80-82, fourth

Last year in playoffs: 2009

A full season from Ted Lilly and a healthy Jon Garland — a 14-game winner last year — would give the Dodgers the makings of a stellar rotation. But the bullpen provides more questions than answers and on offense the Dodgers — who had nearly twice as many strikeouts as runs in 2010 —- are likely to struggle again without better production from Casey Blake and Rafael Furcal.

Starting lineup

(in projected batting order)

SS R. Furcal

3B C. Blake

RF A. Ethier

CF M. Kemp

2B J. Uribe

1B J. Loney

LF J. Gibbons

C R. Barajas

Pitching rotation

C. Kershaw (L)

C. Billingsley (R)

T. Lilly (L)

H. Kuroda (R)

J. Garland (R)

Closer

J. Broxton (R)

SAN DIEGO PADRES

2010: 90-72, second

Last year in playoffs: 2006

The Padres’ long-awaited dismantling was delayed only by a playoff race last summer. Once that was over, San Diego shipped Adrian Gonzalez to Boston and let five other everyday starters leave. Yet, with a pitching staff anchored by Mat Latos and closer Heath Bell, the Padres could still be competitive if Brad Hawpe and Orlando Hudson return to All-Star form.

Starting lineup

(in projected batting order)

RF W. Venable

SS J. Bartlett

2B O. Hudson

1B B. Hawpe

LF R. Ludwick

3B C. Headley

CF C. Maybin

C. N. Hundley

Pitching rotation

M. Latos (R)

C. Richard (L)

T. Stauffer (R)

A. Harang (R)

W. LeBlanc (L)

Closer

H. Bell (R)

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

2010: 65-97, fifth

Last year in playoffs: 2007

Arizona has a general manager, manager and six everyday starters who are new in the last year. And the rebuilding is just beginning. For the time being, Russell Branyan and Chris Young give the lineup pop, and Justin Upton is a five-tool player. However, those three are among five projected starters who struck out at least 108 times last season.

Starting lineup

(in projected batting order)

2B K. Johnson

SS S. Drew

RF J. Upton

1B R. Branyan

CF C. Young

C M. Montero

3B M. Mora

LF G. Parrat

Pitching rotation

I. Kennedy (R)