2016 MLB season: NL East Preview
The NL East is home to the defending National League champion New York Mets, can anyone top them in 2016?
In 2015, the Washington Nationals were the heavy favorites to win the division, but they failed to stay consistent. Instead, the New York Mets gelled as a team and lead the East for pretty much the entire season. Here’s a look at the final standings.
- New York Mets, 90-72
- Washington Nationals, 83-79
- Miami Marlins, 71-91
- Atlanta Braves, 67-95
- Philadelphia Phillies, 63-99
The Braves and Phillies were in rebuild mode last year, and it appears to continue into 2016 as well. Both franchises have dumped loads of high-priced veterans in the last couple of years and are relying on young talent which isn’t expected to be ready just yet.
The Miami Marlins are once again projected to finish in no man’s land as they have for the past decade plus. They could, however, make a jump up to challenge for the division if they can eat up wins against the Braves and Phillies.
For now, it looks like a two-horse race between the Nationals and Mets. On paper the Nats look like the team to beat just as they did last year, but of course it was the Mets who won the division and rode it all the way to the Fall Classic.
This division features a couple of MLB’s most prized talents with Bryce Harper, Matt Harvey, Giancarlo Stanton to name a few. There could also be some emerging players with all the youth featured in Atlanta and Philadelphia.
You never know exactly what to expect as we saw last year, but here’s what we do know heading into opening day 2016.
Next: Atlanta Braves