2015 MLB preview: National League East

Washington Nationals

2014 record: 96-66, first place, lost to San Francisco in division series

Manager: Matt Williams (second season)

Hot Spots: Health and bullpen. LF Jayson Werth (.292, 16 HRs, 82 RBIs), 3B Anthony Rendon (.287, 21, 83, 39 2Bs, NL-best 111 runs), CF Denard Span (.302, 5, 37, 31 SBs, 39 2Bs, NL-best 184 hits) and RHP Casey Janssen (3-3, 3.94, 25 saves with Blue Jays) could all miss opening day. The bullpen lost more than 200 innings with the departures of All-Star setup man Tyler Clippard, Rafael Soriano, Jerry Blevins and Ross Detwiler. RHP Drew Storen (2-1, 1.12 ERA, 11/14 saves), who regained the closer’s job from Soriano late last season, faltered in October in 2012 and 2014.

Outlook: A popular pick to run away with the East, finally win a playoff series and take home the World Series trophy. The rotation already was the majors’ best last season, and the Nationals added 2013 A.L. Cy Young Award winner RH Max Scherzer (18-5, 3.15, 252 Ks with Tigers) via a $210 million contract. Scherzer gets the nod for opening day, but there will be little drop-off through the rest of the starting staff. If RF Bryce Harper (.273, 13, 32), Ryan Zimmerman (.280, 5, 38) – who is shifting to 1B, Werth and SS Ian Desmond (.255, 24, 91) can hit to their abilities the Nationals figure they are the team to beat.

Atlanta Braves

2014 record: 79-83, tied for second place

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez (fifth season)

Hot Spots: Center field. Melvin Upton Jr. – the player formerly known as B.J. Upton – missed spring training with a left foot injury and it’s not known when he’ll return. If Upton (.208, 12, 35, 173 Ks) could somehow turn things around, it would be a huge boost to a lineup that will have to scramble for every run it gets. In the meantime, CF Eric Young Jr. (.229, 1, 17, 30 SBs with Mets) gives the Braves the closest thing they have to a legitimate leadoff man.

Outlook: The Braves usually come into the season viewed as a playoff contender. Not this time. Just two years removed from an East title, they began a massive rebuilding job. Atlanta will start the season with as few as eight players who broke camp a year ago, dumping sluggers Justin Upton, Jayson Heyward and Evan Gattis while receiving only a handful of players who will help out right away. If LHP Mike Minor (6-12, 4.77) is healthy, the rotation should be solid, and RH Craig Kimbrel (0-3, 1.61, NL-leading 47/51 saves) remains one of baseball’s most dominant closers.

New York Mets

2014 record: 79-83, tied for second place

Manager: Terry Collins (fifth season)

Hot Spots: Shortstop, leadoff batter and bullpen. New York is still trying to replace All-Star SS Jose Reyes, who left following the 2011 season. Wilmer Flores (.251, 6, 29 in 78 games), a young hitter with a suspect glove, looks like he will get the first shot to hold down the everyday job at short. With no natural leadoff hitter in the lineup, the Mets hope CF Juan Lagares (.281, 4, 47) can give them a consistent spark despite his .302 on-base percentage in two big league seasons. The bullpen was supposed to be a strength – and still might be if enough arms are healthy.

Outlook: After years spent rebuilding, the Mets finally believe they have enough talent to contend for the playoffs. The biggest reason is the return of RHP Matt Harvey, now more than 17 months removed from Tommy John surgery. LF Michael Cuddyer (.332, 10, 31 in 49 games with Colorado) was signed to boost a sagging offense, and the Mets brought in the Citi Field fences – again – to help RF Curtis Granderson (.227, 20, 66) and 3B David Wright (.269, 8, 63) in right-center. Wright aims to bounce back after a left shoulder injury contributed to his 2014 struggles.

Miami Marlins

2014 record: 77-85, fourth place

Manager: Mike Redmond (third season)

Hot Spots: Lineup depth. Can the rest of the lineup force opponents to pitch to RF Giancarlo Stanton (.288, NL-best 37 HRs, 105, NL-best .555 SLG, .950 OPS)? He led the NL last year with 24 intentional walks. 1B Michael Morse (.279, 16, 61 for Giants), who had a .475 slugging percentage with World Series champion San Francisco, will try to make pitchers pay for walking the powerful Stanton.

Outlook: Miami’s outfield – Stanton, LF Christian Yelich (.284, 9, 54, 21 SBs, Gold Glove), CF Marcell Ozuna (.296, 23, 85) – is perhaps the best in the majors, and the infield looks improved. The pitching staff is young, talented and deep, although the Marlins need for newcomers RHP Mat Latos (5-5, 3.25 for Reds) and RHP Dan Haren (13-11, 4.02 for Dodgers) to deliver until 21-year-old ace Jose Fernandez (4-2, 2.44 in 8 starts) returns from elbow surgery.

Philadelphia Phillies

2014 record: 73-89, last place

Manager: Ryne Sandberg (second season)

Hot Spots: Starting rotation. LHP Cliff Lee’s elbow injury deprived the Phillies of a formidable 1-2 punch with LHP Cole Hamels (9-9, 2.46). RH Jerome Williams (4-2, 2.83), released from two teams last year, is the No. 3 starter and there isn’t much depth.

Outlook: The rebuilding Phillies have their eye toward the future. They need to find out which young players will be part of the nucleus going forward. They also have a few past-their-prime veterans – 1B Ryan Howard (.223, 23, 95) and 2B Chase Utley (.270, 11, 78, 36 2Bs) lead the cast – who could be on the move.