Here is the first of my predictions for the 2010 season, these are standings related and why I feel that way. Enjoy.

NL East:

1. Phillies
2. Braves
3. Marlins
4. Mets
5. Nationals

The Phillies will win the division again. And with Roy Halladay leading the way how could they not? Cole Hamels looks to regain his form from two seasons ago after hitting a wall last year. Put that together with three other decent starters and you have a winning team. The question with pitching remains in Brad Lidge, can he come back after a terrible year. I was going to say the defense has improved by adding Placido Polanco, but I just saw he went down with a knee sprain, if he can stay healthy, he will be a huge help. The offense of the Phillies is going to be just as good as ever. The team is loaded with stars.

The Braves are the dark horse in the East this year. They will need to have a bounce back year from guys like Brian McCann and Chipper Jones. Look for an even better year from Melky Cabrera in LF, who was aquired in a trade for Javier Vazquez to the Yanks. The rotation is pretty solid in Atlanta with Jair Jurrjens, Tommy Hanson and Tim Hudson. Don’t expect to much from Derrick Lowe though, or Kenshin Kawakami. Billy Wagner in the closer spot is better than the Braves are used to also.

The Marlins are always in contention in the NL East and the wildcard race at the end of the year. This is a team that doesn’t look that great on paper, but they always find a way to win. Behind Josh Johnson (who may not be as good as last year) and Ricky Nolasco, this rotation is kinda sketchy. You can count on Dan Uggla and Hanley Ramirez to put up good numbers offensively and they will need the same from Chris Coughlan again. Look for Maybin to have a good year in CF, it’s time he lives up to his potential.

The Mets are a product of the hype machine of New York. This is a team that disappoints more than the Cubs, and that says a lot. After Johan the Mets don’t have shit in pitching, Johan has lost more 1 run games in NY than any other pitcher in the history of the game (or at least it seems like it). K-Rod isn’t worth what they pay him either. The offense is streaky too, can anybody on this team stay healthy? Will the real Jose Reyes please stand up?

And finally, the Nationals, America’s real lovable losers. I don’t know how bad they will do this year. I don’t see them finishing in any spot than last place, but you never know. The pitching is the biggest question in DC. They will surely have Strasburg up at some point this year, he is better than half their rotation. The addition of Jason Marquis should help out too. The bullpen looks rough, so hopefully the offense can pick up the slack. Nyjer Morgan is still blooming and an all around threat. The bats of Adam Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman are sure fire hits. This club will surprise a lot of people this year. Mark my words.

So there you have it, in the next couple days, I’ll try do the NL West and NL Central.