Because the Mets will win the NL East

Ken Davidoff of The Post anticipates NL East.

1. New York Mets

Wins O / U: 32

Key player: OF / DH Yoenis Cespedes. In his four years as an active Met, Cespedes has collected 138 OPS +, his best result for one of the four main teams in the league for which he played. If he had managed to produce at that level even for half of this season of 60 games, he would have provided his club with an immense boost.

Player who will have to step up: RHP Marcus Stroman came out last September after a tough first month, but was essentially the team’s fourth starter. With RHP Noah Syndergaard disappearing thanks to the intervention of Tommy John and RHP Zack Wheeler who left for the Phillies, Stroman becomes considerably more important.

Name you will know: SS Andres Gimenez sparked some enthusiasm in spring 1.0 training when he showed improved bat flashes. Although this does not stick, his glove gives him the basis of the Major League backup.

Bigger question mark: Do they have sufficient organizational depth to cover any coronavirus losses and / or opt-outs, not to mention the most common baseball ailments? Their agricultural system remains on the mend after a series of professions and degrees.

How it will go down: The presence of DH helps this group to the best of any NL entity, as the Mets can capitalize on their abundance of interesting and poor-gloved guys like Cespedes, 1B / OF Dom Smith and 2B Robinson Cano. The Wilpons, who are working to sell the club, and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, who could easily be thrown away by a new owner, will be all-in this bizarre season. He could only pay with their first division title from 2015.

2. Philadelphia Phillies

Wins O / U: 31

Key player: SS Didi Gregorius. He bet on himself by accepting a one-year contract to play with his old manager Joe Girardi and the boy, the Phillies could take advantage of seeing the Gregorius blooming under Girardi in The Bronx. Didi wasn’t nearly that guy last year with the Yankees after returning from Tommy John’s surgery on his right elbow. That’s why he’s here for a short-term deal.

Player who will have to step up: RHP Jake Arrieta, paid as an ace, didn’t give Phils much last year as a bone spur in his right elbow slowed him down. In the last guaranteed year of his contract, he will try to increase his team’s value and success.

Name you will know: RHP Spencer Howard has done well for the double reading in an end-of-season audition and is on the list of eligible Phillies players for this season. It could be in the mix if any of the veteran appetizers will fall.

Bigger question mark: The infield. The versatile and precious Scott Kingery has experienced a hard encounter with the coronavirus and will probably not be in full swing for a while. Gregorius must reproach himself. 1B Rhys Hoskins and 3B Jean Segura, who will slip from the shortstop to welcome Gregorius, performed adequately last year.

How it will go down: Girardi got the job with the hope of being able to improve both the culture and the management of the game. With a lot of talent on hand, he will prove himself capable of both tasks. The Phillies have managed to run for the division title and get their first place in the playoffs since 2011.

3. Atlanta Braves

Wins O / U: 33 ¹ / ₂

Key player: OF Ronald Acuna Jr., a stallion in his first two years, must at least maintain his All-Star contributions with 1B Freddie Freeman who is recovering from the coronavirus, OF Nick Markakis who has given up and 3B Josh Donaldson who left for the twins . The wardrobe of the range is not completely naked thanks to the newcomers C Travis d’Arnaud and OF Marcell Ozuna.

Player who will have to step up: RHP Mike Foltynewicz, an All-Star in 2018, fought for a 4.54 ERA in 117 innings last year. With new LHP guy Cole Hamels unsure outside the gate due to arm problems and RHP veteran Felix Hernandez who has given up, “Folty” can really help by going back two years ago and collaborating with second year RHP Mike Soroka and LHP Max Fried for a strong first line of rotation.

Name you will know: OF Cristian Pache joined Triple-A Gwinnett last year and is ranked by MLB.com as the organization’s best prospect. Chances say if he stays healthy, he will make his big league debut this insane season.

Bigger question mark: Can Braves resist the impact of coronavirus? They were hit particularly hard in the beginning and are playing in a state where numbers are popping up.

How it will go down: This organization deserves credit for winning the last two division titles and acting aggressively to improve; LHP Will Smith joins d’Arnaud, Hamels and Ozuna as guys who have come on board in the last season. However, in such a crowded race, they seem ready to fall thanks to both normal and abnormal injuries.

4. Citizens of Washington

Wins O / U: 33 ¹ / ₂

Key player: Last winter RHP Stephen Strasburg earned a huge $ 245 million contract after winning the Most Valuable Player award in the World Series when the Nats won their first franchise history. Coming down from the heaviest workload of his career (245 ¹ / ₃ innings, including the playoffs), can he go back for this 60-game sprint?

Player who will have to step up: 3B Carter Kieboom, a novice, will be called to fill the gaping gap in the warm corner left by the departure of 3B Anthony Rendon in the Angels, with the awareness that the young man must not be an MVP candidate. If he falters, veteran IF Asdrubal Cabrera is around.

Name you will know: In addition to Kieboom, RHP Wil Crowe could contribute after spending some time last year with Double-A Harrisburg (it went well) and Triple-A Fresno (went badly). At 25 he is running out of time to establish himself.

Bigger question mark: What will a national season be like without 1B Ryan Zimmerman? In their seventeenth year since moving from Montreal, the Nats will finally find out, as Zimmerman – who made his club debut in 2005, the same year he started playing in Washington – has given up. While his field production has declined, the 35-year-old has contributed to leadership and occasional success.

How it will go down: With Zimmerman and RHP Joe Ross both sitting outside, and with Rendon gone, the Nationals will not be able to replicate their 2019 magic. Without tickets to sell, however, they will lift their feet and look to next year (God willing) how the real defense of their title for the whole season.

5. Miami Marlins

Wins O / U: 24

Key player: And how about OF Corey Dickerson? He has at least one history of being a solid Major League player, which sets him apart on this list. The Marlins’ decision to spend some cash and acquire Dickerson (as well as IF Jonathan Villar) last winter symbolizes the recognition of CEO Derek Jeter that it is time to start winning again. Dickerson can set a tone by honoring the track record.

Player who will have to step up: RHP Jose Urena endured a tough 2019, ending up in the bullpen after wasting time on the injured list. It had proven to be a reliable arm in the previous two seasons, so the Marlins could really take advantage of that version of Urena that re-emerged.

Name you will know: RHP Sixto Sanchez hopes to become the second Sixto in the big leagues (fans of a certain age remember Brewers OF Sixto Lezcano). After his strong 2019, during which he made a 2.88 ERA in 103 innings for Double-A Jacksonville, there are strong reasons to think that he can join that club.

Bigger question mark: Where’s the steak? There appears to be no future stars (like in the MVP awards) on the current Major League list. To be honest, their agricultural system has grown significantly in the media rankings; now that agricultural system must produce.

How it will go down: In a 60-game season, finishing fourth doesn’t seem impossible. Even more likely is the winery once again, but if nothing else, they should improve on the bad payout percentage of last year. 352.