By Matt Szczypiorski, Sports Talk Philly Collaborator on the screenplay 
Baseball is finally back. Phillies baseball is finally back. The “this is the year Vince Velasquez finally bursts “train hype is so back and suffocating at full steam.
There will be a lot to wait for this season because everything is so different. Cutouts of fans behind the pot, players sitting in the stands, a game that is known for being a marathon that becomes a sprint; this season will be truly one of a kind.
Part of the quirks of this season is the structure of the MLB program. The Phillies 60 game season is one of the toughest in baseball. They will play 20 games against the ever-daunting American League East, while the other 40 games will consist of enemies from the National League East.
East Holland plans to be one, if not the toughest division of baseball this season. The Nationals, Braves and Mets all finished above .500 last season, with the Nationals winning their first World Series in franchise history. In addition, the Phillies fought hard against the Marlins last season. The Phillies were actually the only division team in which the Marlins had a winning record against, like Miami 10-9 against the Phils.
Needless to say, the 2020s will have their work cut out for them in 2020. Let’s further analyze the other four teams in the eastern part of the NL and see what will make this division so tough.
Atlanta Braves
Projected lineup
1. Ronald Acuna Jr. (RF)
2. Ozzie Albies (2B)
3. Freddie Freeman (1B)
4. Marcell Ozuna (LF)
5. Travis d’Arnaud (C)
6. Ender Inciarte (CF)
7. Austin Riley (DH)
8. Dansby Swanson (SS)
9. Johan Camargo (3B)
Projected rotation
1. Mike Soroka (RH)
2. Max Fried (LH)
3. Mike Foltynewicz (RH)
4. Sean Newcomb (LH)
5. Kyle Wright (RH)
(Cole Hamels (LH) is likely to start the season on the injury list due to a triceps injury, but he will likely make his way into the return leg.)
Analysis
The Braves are the favorites to win the division this year and for good reason. The defensive Eastern Champs NL are again the most complete team in the division, although I think their rotation is suspect. Their line-up is good from top to bottom, with two authentic stars and perennial MVP candidates in Ronald Acuna Jr. and Freddie Freeman. They are willing and able to carry the crime on their own.
Ozzie Albies is an underrated gear in training not only in the batter box, but also in the field, on the base courses and in their club house. Marcell Ozuna was a nice low-risk addition with a one-year contract for a team that needed a power replacement after Josh Donaldson’s loss. Losing outfielder Nick Markakis due to a seasonal opt-out hurts their foul a little, but it won’t be harmful. It is also worth noting that Yasiel Puig was brave for about 45 minutes before leaving the season too much after testing positive for Covid-19.
In terms of launch, Braves’ starters are decent, but lean more towards mediocre than good. Mike Soroka is their undisputed ace after a great rookie season, so it will be interesting to see how he will perform this year, now that the teams will have a better scouting relationship on him. The Atlanta bullpen is the best in the division and has improved even more with the addition of the 2019 star Will Smith (not that).
To be the champions, you have to beat the champions. I still don’t see anyone in the division arrive at the throne in Atlanta.
Expected record: 35-25
Phillies Series: August 7-10 in Philly, August 21-23 in Atlanta, August 28-30 in Philly.
Miami Marlins
Projected lineup
1. Jonathan Villar (CF)
2. Brian Anderson (3B)
3. Corey Dickerson (LF)
4. Jesus Aguilar (1B)
5. Garrett Cooper (DH)
6. Harold Ramirez (RF)
7. Isan Diaz (2B)
8. Jorge Alfaro (C)
9. Miguel Rojas (SS)
Projected rotation
1. Sandy Alcantra (RH)
2. Caleb Smith (LH)
3. Jose Urena (RH)
4. Pablo Lopez (RH)
5. Elieser Hernandez (RH)
Analysis
Marlins may actually have an advantage over the rest of the league this season. This team is used to playing in front of an empty baseball field, so there will no longer be a learning curve for this team!
Seriously, Marlins will be better than people think they will be. There are a couple of legitimate reasons for this, number one is the shortened season. However, I think this team is simply better than last year’s team, much to the disappointment of Phillies fans. The additions of Jonathan Villar and Corey Dickerson make the formation more suitable for a higher level club. Jesus Aguilar was also a nice low-risk addition for a team that was desperate for a club.
Guys like Isan Diaz and Harold Ramirez will try to build beginner seasons that have seen many ups and downs, but have also seen enticing potential. Speaking of tempting potential, the former Phillies prospects Sixto Sanchez and will make his league debut on the mound at some point this season. It will be interesting to see what could have been for the Phillies, especially if the talks on Realmuto’s contract continued into the season.
Miami’s pitching staff is the team’s weak point. The initial rotation is one of the worst in baseball and the bullpen isn’t much better looking. This is Achilles’ healing of an already disappointing team. Sandy Alcantra and Caleb Smith are two young boys to watch out for Pisces as they try to turn their short careers around.
The Phillies will take a good look at the new Marlins as they try to avenge their struggles against the Marlins right outside the gate. The two teams will face off in the 2020 opening series, starting on Friday evening.
Expected record: 24-36
Phillies Series: July 24-26 in Philly, Miami 4-6 August, Miami 10-13 August.
New York Mets
Projected lineup
1. Jeff McNeil (3B)
2. Pete Alonso (1B)
3. Robinson Cano (2B)
4. Yoenis Cespedes (DH)
5. Michael Conforto (RF)
6. JD Davis (LF)
7. Wilson Ramos (C)
8. Brandon Nimmo (CF)
9. Amed Rosario (SS)
Projected rotation
1. Jacob deGrom (RH)
2. Marcus Stroman (RH)
3. Rick Porcello (RH)
4. Steven Matz (LH)
5. Michael Wacha (RH)
(Keep in mind that Noah Syndergaard underwent surgery on Tommy John in March, so he was doomed to miss the 2020 season before all Coronavirus problems.)
Analysis
The Mets have something in 2020 that they haven’t had for some years: expectations. I think New York is the second best team in the division, and the margin between them and Braves is close.
The strength of this team is once again the rotation, but it is not as strong as it would be if Syndergaard had not been injured. deGrom is at the top of his career and shoots for an unprecedented third Cy Young award. Marcus Stroman has been a great pickup at the Mets’ deadline last year, and will try to build a strong second part. The signatures of the free agents of Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha have been subtly good, something for which the Mets are not known.
Training is the best the Mets have had in a few years. Pete Alonso is a star, he was the focal point of the infringement last year and gave for the foreseeable future. Jeff McNeil is a machine to hit, more than capable of hitting over .300. Phillie killer Michael Conforto (19 humeri in his career against the Phillies) is good for at least one home game for every game he plays in South Philadelphia. Cano and Cespedes have surpassed the firsts of their career, but they can still be skillful hitters as long as they remain on the field and away from wild boars.
The Mets bullpen can’t be much more of a disaster than it was last year. Adding Dellin Betances to a one-year contract was another good signature out of character for the Mets. Seth Lugo will be looking to leverage his dominant performance in 2019. Edwin Diaz couldn’t be more of a rail disaster than he was last year (I hope I am wrong), so he seems to be returning at least half of what he was in 2018 with Seattle .
There are high hopes for the Mets this season. It would be a shame if the Mets made a classic move of the Mets and imploded in a way that only they could do. Real pity.
PS Anyone know where Jed Lowrie is?
Expected record: 33-27
Phillies Series: August 14-16 in Philly, September 4-7 in New York, September 15-17 in Philly.
Washington citizens
Projected lineup
1. Trea Turner (SS)
2. Adam Eaton (RF)
3. Starlin Castro (2B)
4. Juan Soto (LF)
5. Howie Kendrick (DH)
6. Eric Thames (1B)
7. Asdrubal Cabrera (3B)
8. Yan Gomes (C)
9. Victor Robles (CF)
Projected rotation
1. Max Scherzer (RH)
2. Stephen Strasburg (RH)
3. Patrick Corbin (LH)
4. Anibal Sanchez (RH)
5. Erick Fedde (RH)
Analysis
Warm weather: 2020 Washington citizens are not good. On paper, this is a mediocre team at best with many holes. Yes, they won the World Series last year and many of these guys are coming back. But do you know who doesn’t come back? Their best hitter, Anthony Rendon. I think the loss has been extremely underestimated and not talked about enough.
As for the rest of their training, the front office seems to be trying to hold this together with all the duct tape and spit they can find. Guys like Starlin Castro, Howie Kendrick, Eric Thames and Asdrubal Cabrera are all players who are extremely good at hitting, but have surpassed their prime numbers. Not to mention the fact that they are all disappointing on the defensive at this point in their career.
Did putting together a formation like this work in 2019? Yes, because they warmed up and stayed warm. Can they repeat it for a second consecutive year? This remains to be seen, but I’m leaning towards the no. Juan Soto is a stallion, there is no doubt. Also, I think the loss of Ryan Zimmerman will hurt more than expected.
The initial rotation is easily the team’s strength and will be the reason Washington remains competitive. Max Scherzer is still exceptional, but I think his age and injuries will start to creep up on him like they did in the World Series last year. Strasburg and Corbin could be the two guys I would most trust this season in terms of rotation.
Washington’s bullpen is decent. Doolittle will have to recover a year after a falling season in 2019. Daniel Hudson should try to stay consistent and build on post-season success. Will Harris was a good addition to the free agent bullpen from Houston.
Did the internationals win the World Series in 2019? Yup.
Does it mean anything in 2020? No.
For the second year in a row, everything will be fine for the Nats if they want to do the post season and make some noise. I’m not entirely sold on the idea that everything is going well for two consecutive years.
Expected record: 30-30
Phillies Series: August 25-27 in DC, August 31-September 3 in Philly, September 21-23 in DC
Final classifications expected
1. Atlanta Braves (35-25)
2. New York Mets (33-27)
3. Washington Nationals (30-30)
4. Philadelphia Phillies (29-31)
5. Miami Marlins (24-36)
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