Inside Pitch

Will Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz be all the Mets need to wipe out the memory of two straight September swoons and make the first year in Citi Field a winner of a season? It certainly seems like that should be the case. Nothing wrong with the lineup. Nothing wrong with the top of a rotation led by Johan Santana (right), although it's a little thin at the bottom. And now, nothing wrong with the bullpen. Should be a  nother interesting summer between the Bisons' new parent and the Phillies.

Speaking of the Phils, they're going to be fiercely defending that World Series title. Have to wonder about them however. Cole Hamels was amazing in October and Brad Lidge was perfect all year. That can't really happen again and Hamels' elbow remains a question mark. I like Raul Ibanez in place of Pat Burrell. They might win 93-95 games but I don't think that will be enough.

The Marlins are a young team on the rise with a new ballpark in the Orange Bowl district finally on the horizon and Hanley Ramirez again has MVP potential. The Braves should be better with the additions of Derek Lowe and Tom Glavine and are also starting to develop a new wave of prospects. And what about the Nationals? May as well call them the Washington Generals. They're just fodder for the rest of the division.

So my picks are: 1-Mets; 2-Phillies; 3-Marlins; 4-Braves; 5-Nationals.

Choose your NL East winner below. Next: AL Central.

---Mike Harrington