NL East: It's all about Millwood
Philadelphia Phillies (Last season: 86-76, 2nd)
Player to watch: Kevin Millwood
Millwood got off to a great start last season in his first go-round as a No. 1 starter, but 14 wins will not be enough this season.
This team is primed for an October run but Millwood needs to be an 18-20 game winner for it to happen.
Burning question: Will Bowa stick with starters?
It will be tough to manage a starting pitching staff with Roberto Hernandez, Tim Worrell and Billy Wagner in the bullpen. I dare those starters to try to get past the seventh.
Atlanta Braves (Last season: 100-61, 1st)
Player to watch: Adam Laroche
Laroche won't jump out and become an All-Star at first base, but he will provide a solid bat late in Atlanta's lineup. With the bats ahead of him, this rookie could be in position to knock in a lot of runs.
Burning question: Is it the guys, or the organization?
During the Braves' incredible run of division titles, most of the focus has been on their starting pitching triumvirate of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz. Smoltz went to the bullpen and the other two have moved on.
Now the Braves have to defend their honor without them. Do three guys make all that difference? Or will GM John Schuerholz prove it's been the whole team all along.
It doesn't look good to lose Maddux, Javy Lopez and Gary Sheffield in a single offseason. But these guys did win the division by 10 games last season – and in front of the top two wild-card contenders. There's plenty of offense left with the Joneses, Andruw and Chipper, driving in Rafael Furcal and Marcus Giles. J.D. Drew will help fill Sheffield's void.
Florida Marlins (Last season: 91-71, Wild Card)
Player to watch: Dontrelle Willis
Much of the Marlins' success last season can be attributed to Willis' amazing first-half run. When one pitcher is 10 games over .500 for half the season you're on a great pace.
However, the second half brought Willis back to earth. This season, he has to prove himself all over again.
Burning question: Will Josh Beckett turn October into his stepping stone?
The Marlins feel they are getting no respect when pundits pick against them this season. But a great late-season run does not equate to full championship season. A team that barely squeaked out the wild-card round has lost two of its offensive stars over the winter, Pudge Rodriguez and Derrek Lee.
The Marlins are banking on their young pitchers, mainly Beckett, to notch it up over the course of the full season to make up the difference.
New York Mets (Last season: 66-95, 5th)
Player to watch: Scott Erickson
We finally get to see that nasty sinker in the National League. If he is healthy, Erickson could be a huge find for the Mets staff. And he has looked good during spring training.
Burning question: Is Glavine done?
The Mets signed Tom Glavine with the thought that he could anchor a staff that already had Al Leiter at the top. Glavine didn't exactly sparkle last year, but if he rebounds, it could be a lot more fun in Shea this season than last. If nothing else, Kazuo Matsui should be a trip.
Montreal Expos (Last season: 83-79, 4th)
Player to watch: Tony Armas
Another starter who is at that year 3-4 of experience and has shown flashes of being a great pitcher. Health will be an issue, but it's time for Armas to step up.
Burning question: Where will the Expos end up?
Heck, forget the season, I'm already working in Photoshop to design Montreal's uniforms for all the potential cities the Expos could move to. Isn't it time we get a more fiery name in the game anyway? Expositions aren't exactly the fiercest of warriors.
