Mid-Season Nl Playoff Predictions
As we round into the second half of the 2006 season, many fans
begin to look ahead in hopes that their team can either catch
fire or hold their lead and qualify for the postseason. In the
National League, it appears that the postseason picture is
beginning to take shape. One team is all but cemented in its
place, another has history on its side and the rest have
different factors in their favor that will aid in their quest
to play into October.
NL East Winner:
New York Mets
Why they?ll win the division:
In short, the Mets will win the division because they?ve simply
dominated it so far in 2006. As of this writing, they hold a
12-game lead on the second-place Phillies and they?re not
showing any signs of slowing down. They have very good
pitching, timely hitting and a team ?chasing? them that isn?t
showing many signs of life. The only word of caution that needs
to be heeded by the Mets is that sometimes teams that ?coast?
into the postseason can be surprised in the first round of the
playoffs, especially if they meet a team that?s been battling
to qualify. Regardless, the Mets have time to worry about that
possibility.
NL Central Winner:
St. Louis Cardinals
Why they?ll win the division:
The Cardinals are going to win the NL Central for a few
reasons. First, they have the best team, and in a 162-game
season, there are very few anomalies that can play above their
heads for that long. Second, they?re getting hot at the right
time, winning seven in a row as of this writing, while their
?competition,? the Reds, continue to fade after a hot start.
The Cardinals also have slightly better pitching and hitting
than their divisional competition. The Cardinals won?t clinch
too early, but they will clinch.
NL West Winner:
San Diego Padres
Why they?ll win the division:
The Padres not only have history on their side, but they?ll
also be pushed throughout the season. The Padres have never
failed to qualify for the postseason after leading the division
at the All Star break, which is where they are in 2006. They
also play in a mediocre division where no team is a threat to
go off on a tear in the second half. However, their lead is
slim, and the Dodgers will remain within striking distance
through the rest of the season, forcing the Padres to keep the
pedal to the metal through the last week of the season.
Wild Card:
Los Angeles Dodgers
Why they?ll win the Wild Card race:
The Dodgers will qualify for the postseason more because of
what their competition doesn?t have than what the Dodgers bring
to the table. The Reds, who currently lead in the Wild Card
standings, have a tough second-half schedule and lack the
consistent pitching needed to hold their lead. The Phillies,
Brewers and Astros are too inconsistent and/or inexperienced in
general to mount serious challenges, and the Dodgers will
continue to press the Padres for the NL West crown as that
division will remain competitive throughout the season.
This is how things should shape up in 2006, and the next time
we revisit this subject, we?ll analyze how the rest of the
postseason will unfold.
About The Author: By Jay Nault sponsored by
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