The National League East is home to 4 of the most competitive teams in baseball, as well as our capitol’s most talented Brownie troop. Economic powerhouses, New York (57-48) and Philadelphia (56-49), are currently atop the pile with only a game separating the two teams. The Florida Marlins are a mere 2 games off the lead despite having the lowest payroll in the majors, by a wide margin ($21.8 mil; next closest is Tampa Bay at $43.8). The best run organization in professional sports, the Atlanta Braves, stand at 7.5 games back. My Washington Nationals, that lovable Triple-A team, owns the league’s worst record and are a lock to take home basement honors in the East.

The Mets did not play up to their billing as a World Series caliber team for much of the first half, however, they have begun to gain momentum leading into the break. Their lineup is as potent and athletic as any in baseball. Leadoff hitter and human indy car, Jose Reyes (77, 12, 49, .302, 34 SBs), continues to exhibit a rare combination of both power and speed. Fellow Hampton Roads product, David Wright (72, 20, 82, .294), embodies an enviable mixture of power hitting and gold glove defense. First baseman, Carlos Delgado (58, 22, 67, .262), played like a man on the wrong side of the hill for the first 3 months of the season; however, his current .379 July average has been a big reason for the Mets’ recent upswing. Carlos Beltran (72, 15, 71, .266, 16 SBs) has posted solid numbers, but, per usual, September will likely turn his carriage back into a pumpkin and him into a stiff, along with it. On another note, Moises Alou, who has been injured for most of the season, publicly admitted that he couldn’t have caught the foul ball that made Steve Bartman so infamous. I’m sure if Bartman ever finds his way out of the federal witness protection program he’ll be sure to thank Mr. Alou for being so prompt with that admission.

The Mets’ starting rotation has been one of their strong points, this season. All-universe hurler, Johan Santana (2.93 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 125/39:K/BB, 9-7), has pitched every bit like the top shelf starter that New York is overpaying him to be. Mike Pelfrey (3.67 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 73/44:K/BB, 9-3) has lived up to his promising status, and North Stafford High alum, John Maine (4.20 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 103/56:K/BB, 9-7), has continued to be a steady arm in the middle of the rotation. Former Red Sox great, Pedro Martinez (6.25 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 34/18:K/BB, 3-2), continues to make the Mets look silly for giving him a 4 year contract when every other team in the league wouldn’t go above 3. The bullpen has been a mixed bag, with the exception of laser beam specialist, Billy Wagner (2.00 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 48/9:K/BB, 26 saves). Even at the age of 37, I have no doubt he can hit triple digits on the gun anytime he wants to.

The Phillies entered the 08’ campaign fresh off demoralizing the rival Mets by winning 13 of their final 17 games to bump New York from last season’s NL playoffs. Philly, if you recall, was able to harness that momentum in getting stomped out by upstart Colorado in straight sets. Despite their disappointing finish, the 08’ Phillies remain a popular pick to contend for the division and league titles, again.

Reigning M.V.P., Jimmy Rollins (46, 7, 36, .271, 26 SBs), is as complete a player as there is despite his decreased power numbers (30 hrs in 07’). Early on it appeared Chase Utley (71, 25, 17, .288) was in the midst of a special season and a virtual lock to break the MLB mark for homeruns in a season by a 2-bagger (Roger Hornsby and Davey Johnson tied at 42). By the first week in June, the guy had 2 stretches where he put one out in 6 of 7 games (and 5 in a row). When he finally cooled off, fellow cannoneer, Ryan Howard (67, 30, 94, .237, and an amazing 138 Ks), began to send baseballs into the upper atmosphere at a rate that currently has him competing with Adam Dunn for the NL homerun crown. Pat ‘The Bat’ Burrell (56, 26, 61, .277) has displayed some consistency this season, after years of being banned from my fantasy rosters for being a streaky bas**ard. Shane Victorino (66, 8, 35, .283, 25 SBs), ‘The Flyin Hawaiian’, continues to hold the title of 2nd best nickname in baseball, which ranks only slightly behind Todd ‘Highway To’ Helton.

When the guys that designed your home field decide to build the fences down the lines only 330 feet from home plate, your ERA might be a bit higher than you’d like it to be. Despite that debilitating fact, some of Philadelphia’s pitchers have thrown well. Cole Hamels (3.27, 1.04 WHIP, 135/39: K/BB, 9-6) has become a bonafide ace despite being only 24 years of age. Father Time, himself, Jamie Moyer (3.76 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 79/37: K/BB, 9-6), is pitching at a much higher level than is traditionally expected of a 45-year old man in the midst of his 22nd major league season. Reliever, Chad Durbin (1.72 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 49/20: K/BB), was deported to Oakland for his excellence in the trade that brought Joe Blanton (7.88 ERA in 2 starts) to town. Former Minnesota Twin, J.C. Romero (2.32 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 36/28: K/BB), continues to shut down lefties and give out enough free passes to make the first baseline look like a New York crosswalk. At the back end of the bullpen, closer Brad Lidge (2.25 ERA, 1.18, 58/22: K/BB, 24 saves), seems to have finally healed from the mental scarring Albert Pujols put on him a few years back (one of the worst theories in sports, by the way), as he’s converted every save opportunity that Philly has asked him to.

The Florida Marlins began this year the same way they begin every year; as the favorites to finish in 4th place behind the Mets, Phils, and Braves. Things haven’t quite turned out that way, as The Fish continue to slug their way into contention (most HRs in majors with 150). Central to that effort has been Shortstop (that’s a capital S to match the one he wears on his chest), Hanley Ramirez (84, 24, 47, .300, 25 SBs). 3-bagger, Jorge Cantu (62, 18, 60, .289), moved from Stiffville to Florida during the off-season, and has played well enough to keep Dallas MacPherson (who has 37 HRs including a 7-game streak at Triple-A) in the minors. All-star 2nd baseman, Dan Uggla (65, 25, 63, .266), continues to press Chase Utley for offensive supremacy at the position. Admittedly, I thought his numbers were going down the tubes without Miguel Cabrera to protect him in the lineup; instead, his success serves as yet more evidence why no one should really entertain the idea of listening to me. Josh Willingham (34, 8, 27, .270) was hitting a robust .341 before being sidelined with an ailing back in early May. As you can see, he’s now hitting .270, but with a nickname like ‘The Hammer’, I fail to see why he needs to hit the ball, anyway.

The pitching in South Florida has not faired quite as well as the hitting. California native, Ricky Nolasco (3.94 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 104/34: K/BB, 10-6), reportedly developed a cut-fastball during the off-season that has been paying big dividends, thus far. Scott Olsen (4.04 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 72/50: K/BB, 6-5) and Mark Hendrickson (6.09 ERA, 1.52 ERA, 67/42: K/BB, 7-8) have both experienced flashes of brilliance mixed in with their usual repertoire of chucking and ducking. The bullpen has been a mixed bag, as well. Pick a reliever out of a hat (Renyel Pinto (54/35: K/BB), Logan Kensing (37/29), and Matt Lindstrom (30/17)), and it remains a virtual coin flip as to whether they will ring you up or walk you. Closer, Kevin Gregg (2.34 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 40/28: K/BB, 22 saves), has converted 22 of 28 save chances despite his high walk rate and proneness to fly balls.

I’m convinced that Braves’ helmsman, Bobby Cox (141 career ejections), could take a roster of mannequins into a season and still be a threat to win the division. In hindsight, mannequins might have been the way to go as I’d imagine they are less vulnerable to injury than the Atlanta players have been this year. Atlanta legend and sole member of the 200/100 club (wins/saves), John Smoltz (2.57 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 36/8: K/BB, 3-2), had his season cut short by shoulder woes. Leftfielder, Matt Diaz, is still rehabbing from a torn knee ligament he suffered in May. Closer, Rafael Soriano, has pitched a mere 12 innings this year due to nagging elbow issues. Veteran hurler, Tom Glavine, had never been placed on the DL during his 21 year career, until this season. Injuries to his hamstring and elbow have limited him to only 12 starts, thus far. Things have gone from bad to worse, lately, as ace Tim Hudson’s (3.17 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 85/40: K/BB, 11-7) recent elbow injury will likely require him to undergo Tommy John surgery.

The Bravos’ offense has been led by perennial all-star and resident heartthrob, Chipper Jones (58, 18, 55, .369), whose early season batting successes nearly led me to move to Nepal just to escape the rampant media coverage. Receiver, Brian McCann (46, 20, 63, .302), continues to produce in the heart of the order. Streakiness, himself, Mark Teixeira (63, 20, 78, .283), performed well enough to get a bus ticket to Anaheim. Rightfielder, Jeff Francoeur (47, 9, 47, .235), has been some kind of terrible this season, and was even send down to Triple-A for a period of time. Human dynamite, Yunel Escobar (51, 6, 40, .283), has been slowed by some nagging injuries, but remains a force when healthy.

Of Atlanta’s staple exports, rappers and pitching, one has not faired as well as expected (much to my disappointment, it’s not the first one). As I’ve already pointed out, Smoltzy and Hudson are both out with injuries, and there remains a distinct possibility that neither will pitch again. Tom Glavine has also spent significant time on the DL, but I’m not sure if that’s a negative (34/33: K/BB, 1.57 WHIP). Jair Jurrgens (3.06 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 96/44: K/BB, 10-6), the young man from the Netherlands, has performed admirably in their stead. Converted reliever, Jorge Campillo (2.76 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 70/21: K/BB, 5-4), has also provided some stability to a disheveled rotation. With Soriano being sidelined with recurring elbow problems, the bullpen has been reshuffled several times. Manny Acosta (4.02 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 25/24: K/BB) was a crap shoot every time he took the bump, and couldn’t hold onto the closer’s role. Mike Gonzalez (3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 19/3: K/BB) returned from Tommy John surgery and has claimed the role for the time being. On a positive note, lefty-specialist, Will Ohman (2.80 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 41/18: K/BB), has been brilliant, thus far.

In the most remote cell in the deepest dungeon of the darkest castle built on the lowest point on earth lies Nationals Stadium. Inside lurks a motley band of brigands, so dear to my heart, yet so difficult to claim in public. Rather than offer statistics and other bits of evidence in support of how bad the Washington Nationals are, I offer a scene from the baseball classic, Bull Durham, which serves to illustrate what I imagine life as a Nat is really like.

[Larry jogs out to the mound to break up a players' conference]
Larry: Excuse me, but what the hell’s going on out here?
Crash Davis: Well, Nuke’s scared because his eyelids are jammed and his old man’s here. We need a live… is it a live rooster?
[Jose nods]
Crash Davis: . We need a live rooster to take the curse off Jose’s glove and nobody seems to know what to get Millie or Jimmy for their wedding present.
[to the players]
Crash Davis: Is that about right?
[the players nod]
Crash Davis: We’re dealing with a lot of shit.
Larry: Okay, well, uh… candlesticks always make a nice gift, and uh, maybe you could find out where she’s registered and maybe a place-setting or maybe a silverware pattern. Okay, let’s get two! Go get ‘em.

As for my predictions, the NL East will go to the Mets. The Phillies can hit with anybody in baseball, but their starting rotation and bullpen are not strong enough for them to keep pace with New York. Florida will fade, too, as their young pitching wears down and starts to amplify the holes that exist in their bullpen. The Braves are already building for next season, and the only story that remain there, Chipper Jones, is currently on the DL and likely won’t be hastened back. The Nationals’ brass are hopefully counting the revenue they’ve pulled in from their new stadium and bickering over how to reinvest it into their languid franchise. If not, there’s a good chance I found a ‘Go Back to Canada’ activist group and start contacting local politicians for support.