Rounding the Bases

Preseason National League Power Rankings

By Caleb Musselman

            

The National League may have its standout offensive players, but this half of the league is dominated by the man on the mound. In the 2012 world series, the San Francisco pitching staff scoffed at the bats of the streaking Tigers en route to a scintillating 4 game sweep of Miguel Cabrera and his large partner Prince Fielder (the most un-athletic athlete in professional sports). Side note: Watching Fielder run the bases is my favorite form of comedy.

            In a year dominated by Cabrera’s Triple Crown and Trout Web Gems, the National League snuck in and stole another world series on strong pitching, brilliant defense and the pre-game speeches of Hunter Pence. If last year taught baseball fans anything, it should be that an all-star offensive lineup does not guarantee success. The Giants showed that any team can find the offensive magic when they have the best top to bottom pitching staff in the league.

Photo Cred blog.pennlive.com

            Now, as we stand just a few short months away from the 2013 season, it is time to rank our top 5 teams in the National League.

1.  Nationals - This Nationals squad is something special. In my 12 years of true fanhood, I have never seen a team this young with such a promising future. Strasburg, Gonzalez and Zimmermann highlight a rotation that is simply superb. With the acquisition of Rafael Soriano from New York, the back end of the Nationals bullpen looks just as lethal as their starting rotation. The beautiful piece of the Soriano pickup is that it comes with a buffer. If Rafael underperforms, Tyler Clippard (who saved 32 games for the Nats last season) will move back into the closing role, and Drew Storen moves to the 8th inning. That’s security. At the plate, Harper will only get better, and believe me, as a Phillies fan, that is a scary thought. If Strasburg can stay healthy and Jayson Werth can hit above .275, I don’t see this team winning less than 100 games.

Photo Cred www.yahoosports.com

2.  Giants - This Giants team seems to defy the ordinary. Built on the backbone of strong pitching, they have created a franchise that is a consistent contender year after year. Even more than the Nationals, the Giants survive on the strength of their pitching staff. Matt Cain supplanted himself into the conversation of top 3 starting pitchers this past season and the backend of their bullpen is unstoppable. There are a few serious questions for the Giants. (a) Will Lincecum bounce back? Huge question. He is critical to their rotation and without him they are only a wild card team behind the Dodgers. (b) Can their limited offensive weapons sustain them throughout an entire year? Posey is only getting better, but Brandon Belt will have to make a serious impact at the plate for them this season. Strong defense, immaculate pitching, and consistent clutch hitting will have San Fran back in the NLCS come next October.

Photo Cred www.blogs.ajc.com

3.  Braves - I hope you are noticing a trend in the top 3 teams. It is all about pitching in the NL. I have been picking the Braves to win the World Series the past 2 years, and, like the Nats, they are only getting better with age. A stellar rotation combined with the best setup-closer duo in the MLB (Venters-Kimbrel) make this team just as dynamic as Washington. The acquisition of B.J. Upton vaults them ahead of the Phillies in the NL East and greatly increases their speed on the base paths, which is already dynamite. If Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward have solid offensive seasons, watch out, Atlanta could very well take the Pennant.

Photo Cred www.zimbio.com

4.  Dodgers - The Dodgers, just like the Lakers, are trying to buy the Title. Thus far with the Lakers, it has failed miserably. I highly doubt this team because I have never been a proponent of this style of management, but I must put them in my top 5. They are just too dynamic offensively to leave out. Top to bottom, they look like an All-star team. My guess is that they’ll battle San Fran tooth and nail for that division. But only Hanley’s inconsistent play can determine this team’s fate. I wouldn’t put my money on them, but don’t be surprised if they’re playing in the Fall Classic come next October.

5.  Reds - It was a toss-up between Philadelphia and Cincinnati for the fifth spot in my rankings. But I figured I’d swallow my pride and give the NL Central an ounce of credit. I don’t think this Cincinnati team has what it takes in mental toughness to win it all, but they sure are fun to watch. Incredibly talented, this team lacks the consistency and stability to be a serious contender but they could easily win 90 to 95 games.

Honorable mentions - Phillies, Cardinals, Brewers, Pirates.

            Pitching will win the Pennant this year, it is yet to be seen if it can capture the precious. After all, those Angels are looking mighty powerful. Strike three, I’m out of words.