League Preview-Part 7-Moving over to the National League

Today, we move over from the AL to the NL as we continue our league preview, beginning in the National League East. The first team up is...

National League East

Atlanta Braves
Postseason Appearances: 1914, 1948, 1957-58, 1969, 1982, 1991-93, 1995-2005 (total-20)
World Series Titles: 1914, 1957, 1995 (total-3)
Best Season: 1998 (106-56)
Worst Season: 1935 (38-115)

Except for the occassional appearance, the Braves existence in their first two stops (Boston & Milwaukee) was not pleasant. Atlanta began the same way, but when the pitching staff of the early '90s was assembled, the Bravos went on their best run in history, making 14 straight postseason appearances. The current Braves team is trying to get back to the level of the '90s-early 2000s-it could take some time.

Pitching-Best way to describe the reason for the Braves when they are successful? Pitching, pitching and more pitching. From the Miracle Braves of 1914 to the Milwaukee champs of '57 & '58 to the '90s dynasty, pitching has always been the engine that has driven the Braves to glory. It starts with Greg Maddux 1994 (23-8, 1.56), and continues with Warren Spahn 1956 (20-11, 2.79), Phil Niekro 1969 (23-13, 2.57), Tom Glavine 1998 (20-6, 2.47) and John Smoltz 1996 (24-8, 2.94). All five have either been elected to the Hall of Fame, or will be. Lew Burdette 1956 (19-10, 2.71) and Steve Avery 1993 (18-6, 2.94) add to the depth. The bullpen has a lefty/righty heat throwing duo of Mark Wohlers 1995 (8-3-28, 2.09) and John Rocker 1999 (38 saves, 2.49)-the two combined for 205 K's in only 145 innings. Rounding out the pen are Steve Bedrosian 1982 (8-6-11, 2.42), Gene Garber '82 (8-10-30, 2.34) and Dave Jolly 1954 (11-6-10, 2.43). Tom House 1974 (6-2-11, 1.92) and Greg McMichael 1993 (19 saves, 2.06 ERA) add more depth to a deep pen.

Catching-Javy Lopez toiled for many years behind the plate before having a huge season in 2003 (43, 109, .328). He gets the majority of the starts, and Del Crandall 1960 (19, 77, .294) is the defensive backup. Look for Crandall to fill the "Eddie Perez" role and start most of Maddux's games. Speaking of Perez, his 1998 season (.336) is here along with Brian McCann 2006 (24, 93, .333). More catching depth is provided by the team's first baseman..

Infield-Joe Torre 1966 (36, 101, .315). Marcus Giles 2003 (21, 69, .316) mans second base, Chipper Jones 1999 (45, 110, .319, 25 SB) moves to short due to the presence of Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews 1959 (46, 114, .306). It hurts the D but allows the infield to utilize "Larry's" skills. Rafael Furcal 2000 (.295, 40 steals) helps with speed, Rabbat Maranville 1930 (.281) helps out defensively and Darrell Evans 1973 (41 HR) also backs up the infield. Jeff Blauser 1993 (15, 73, .305) adds more depth at short, whhile Joe Adcock 1956 (38 HR) and Bob Horner 1979 (33 HR) add more pop.

Outfield-Lots of punch here. Wally Berger 1930 (38, 119, .310) noses out Rico Carty 1970 (.366, 25 HR) due to better defense (Carty is a "5", which is Strato lingo for "horrid" defense). Dale Murphy 1985 (37, 111, .300) is in center, and the Braves all time star, Hall of Famer Hank Aaron 1959 (39, 123, .355) is in right. Felipe Alou 1966 (.327, 31 HR), Matt Diaz 2009 (.313) and the Hurricane, Bob Hazle 1957 (.403) are the outfield backups, with the aforementioned Carty, Ralph Garr 1974 (.353), Ron Gant 1990 (.303, 32 HR, 33 SB) and David Justice 1994 (27, 84, .313) adding more depth.

Outlook-On paper, this team will contend, but poor defense, particularly from Jones and Lopez, could scuttle the "Chop Shop".

Birmingham Barons

This is the second of the two teams comprised of SOM's Negro Leagues set. Here's how the Barons look:

Pitching-The pitching is a lot better here than in Indianapolis. The Bullet, Joe Rogan (22-9, 2.63), Dick Redding (20-12, 2.66), Bill Foster (22-10, 2.30), Max Manning (23-11, 2.40) and William Bell (21-8, 2.85) head up a deep rotation. Andy Cooper (29-9-5, 3.1*0 is the bullpen stopper, helped out by two way star Martin Dihigo (13-10, 2.92 and a .319 hitter to boot), Slim Jones (2.15), Willie Powell (3.06) and Tom Williams (19-5, 2.91).Dave Brown (18-7, 2.56) would likely be the first pitcher called up in case of struggle and/or injury.

Catching-the receiving corps is in very good hands with Josh Gibson (34, 119, .381), a terrifying hitter behind the plate who also is a better than average catcher. Frank Duncan (.265 but a 1 (-4) receiver) will provide late inning defense and Louis Santop (.324) can also catch.

Infield-Scary offense but shaky defense here. Slugger Mule Suttles (35, 109, .366) is at first, Rev Cannady (.331) is at second, Dobie Moore (.346) is at short and John Beckwith (34, 102, .387) is at third. Helping out defensively are the aforementioned Dihigo (truly a jack of all trades, he can play every position but catcher), Newt Allen (a 1 at second and short), Jim "Candy" Taylor (.311) and Art "Superman" Pennington (.322).

Outfield-Speed, defense and decent hitting rule the outfield. Cool Papa Bell (.332, 27 SB), perhaps the fastest man to ever play professional baseball, will play left and drive opponents batty from the leadoff spot. Willard Brown (21, 98, .358) is in center and Chino Smith (20, 118, .388) is in right. Cristobal Torriente (.355, but a 1 across the OF board with a -4 arm) helps out defensively and Oscar "Heavy" Johnson (.375) is the pinch hitting star.

Outlook-As with the ABC's, it's hard to say how the Barons will fare-I think this is the better of the two Negro League teams. Had Satchel Paige been pitching for this team instead of the Indians, the Barons could win the division. As it is, they should finish in the top half.

Cincinnati Reds
Postseason Appearances: 1919, 1939-40, 1961, 1970, 1972-73, 1975-76, 1979, 1990, 1995 (total-12)
World Series Titles: 1919, 1940, 1975-76, 1990 (total-5)
Best Season: 1975 (108-54)
Worst Season: 1934 (52-99)

The Reds have basically had two periods of greatness in their history-the late '30s-early '40s and the Big Red Machine of the '70s, punctuated by the occasional "wonder team" (1919, but many consider this title tainted due to the White Sox "dumping" the series or 1990). The Reds have only been to the postseason dance once since their 1990 title, so their recent history has not been so good.

Pitching-The Reds have mostly been about their offense long before the Big Red Machine got going, so it's no surprise that their pitching is somewhat weak compared to most other teams. The rotation consists of Jack Billingham 1973 (19-10, 3.04), Danny Jackson 1988 (23-8, 2.73), Jose Rijo 1993 (14-9, 2.48), Ewell Blackwell 1950 (17-15, 2.97) and Red Lucas 1927 (18-11, 3.27), who can double as a pinch hitting star. Elmer Riddle 1941 (19-4, 2.24) is the long man and spot starter. Gary Nolan 1972 (15-5, 1.99) and HOFer Eppa Rixey 1924 (2.76) add depth. Heading up the strong Cincy pen is the 1990 Nasty Boy tandem of Randy Myers (31 saves, 2.08) and Rob Dibble (11 saves, 1.74)-these two combined for 234 K's in only 185 innings. Rounding out the pen are Will McEnaney 1975 (15 saves, 2.47) and Sammy Ellis 1964 (10-3-14, 2.58). Doug Bair 1978 (28 saves, 1.98) and Scott Williamson 1999 (12-7-19, 2.41) are just a part of a really deep reserve bupplen corps, many of whom would be closers for other teams.

Catchers-This one's easy, almost too easy-Johnny Bench. Only question is-which MVP year? We're going with 1972 here (40, 125, .270) mainly due to his 100 walks and 6 steals. Another HOFer, Ernie Lombardi (.330) backs up Bench, as does Ed Bailey 1956 (.300, 28 HR). Bailey will be the No. 2 catcher, while Lombardi and Bench's predecessor at catcher, Johnny Edwards 1965 (.267 but 17 HR in a poor offensive era), add depth, as does Dave Ross 2006 (21 HR in only 247 AB).

Infield-Yikes. Lots of O here, and at first and third, with little regard for defense. That would be Ted Kluszewski 1954 (49, 141, .326) and Tony Perez 1970 (40, 129, .317), respectively. Thankfully, there's great D up the middle with Barry Larkin 1996 (33, 89, .298, 36 SB) and Joe Morgan 1975 (17, 94, .327, 67 SB, 132 walks). Morgan is already in the HOF (as is Perez) and Larkin could very well join them later on. Pokey Reese 1999 (.285, 38 SB) and Ryan Freel 2004 (37 SB) add speed and depth, while Chris "Spuds" Sabo 1991 (26, 88, .301) will sub defensively at third in late innings, moving Perez to first. Dave Concepcion 1979 (.281, 16 HR) has to take a back seat to Larkin, while Joey Votto 2009 (.322, 25 HR) and HOFer Jake Beckley (.331) provide depth at first.

Outfield-You think the infield has offense? Check out the outfield, which has George Foster 1977 (52, 149, .320) in left, Eric Davis 1987 (37, 100, .293, 50 SB) in center and Pete Rose 1969 (.348) in right. Yeesh. Reggie Sanders 1995 (32, 111, .306, 41 SB) would start for most teams, but won't dislodge Rose here. The role of pinch hitter falls on Jerry Lynch 1961 (13, 50, .315 in less than 200 AB). The remaining components of the Big Red Machine days, Cesar Geronimo 1976 (.307, 22 SB, 1 (-5) defense) and Ken Griffey 1976 (.336, 34 SB), as well as Wally Pist 1955 and Adam Dunn 2004, both of whom smacked over 40 HRs each.

Outlook-Better O than the Braves, but worse pitching. This team could lose more 9-7 battles than win them, but could score plenty of come from behind victories as well. The Reds lack of starters will likely keep them in the second division.

Next time-continuing with the NL East, including an in depth look at the team I'll be managing.