Top News

View from NL

By B. W. Liou (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-03-27 07:57

When the San Francisco Giants rehashed an old formula for winning - pitching, pitching and more pitching - the league took notice. Even before the hoopla over their surprising World Series victory died down, every National League team clamored to beef up their rotation and solidifying their bullpens. Therefore, with only a few days left before Opening Day, this rundown of each NL team (and where they'll finish in the standings) is based on pitching.

NL West

1. San Francisco Giants: Keeping the pitchers healthy was the worry heading into spring training after each of the starters battled through the "season of torture" last year. Closer Brian Wilson is already headed for a stint on the disabled list.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers: The rivalry with SF will be in full swing with LA's cast of frighteningly good pitchers.

3. San Diego Padres: The young staff throws hard and isn't afraid of any lineup.

4. Colorado Rockies: Other than ace Ubaldo Jimenez, shaky pitching is this team's downfall.

5. Arizona Diamondbacks: Their ace is unproven Ian Kennedy and that's all you need to know.

NL East

1. Philadelphia Phillies: The four-time defending division champions are everyone's favorite to win it all. They added Cliff Lee to a supreme staff.

2. Atlanta Braves: Adding some muscle in second baseman Dan Uggla to the lineup overlooks how old the frontline starting pitching is.

3. Florida Marlins: Potential Cy Young winner Josh Johnson will give this team a fighting chance in the wild-card race.

4. Washington Nationals: No Stephen Strasburg, no chance.

5. New York Mets: Johan Santana is likely out until the middle of the season and with the team's financial headaches, there's more news about the Mets off the field than on it.

NL Central

1. St. Louis Cardinals: The loss of ace Adam Wainwright will hurt, but Chris Carpenter and Jaime Garcia are top flight.

2. Cincinnati Reds: The defending division champs just don't have enough starting pitching to top the Cards.

3. Milwaukee Brewers: Unheralded one-two pitching punch of Shaun Marcum and Yovani Gallardo will make this team a wild-card surprise.

4. Houston Astros: Not enough good arms.

5. Chicago Cubs: The curse lives on.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates: Isn't a last-place finish a given?

B.W. Liou is a China Daily copy editor who, unlike his colleagues on this page, would prefer it if Boston did not win the Wortld Series this year.

(China Daily 03/27/2011 page8)