NL First Half

[BaseballFanatic]

I know people think that the NL is doing bad, but they arn't really. Just look at the NL East and Cardinals they're doing fabulous. Why do people think the New York Mets are doing bad; I don't know, but they arn't. The Mets are 4th in the wild card. You think the Mets are doing bad because they're in last place. But the rest of there division is above .500! Look at the Houston, and if you think they are still doing bad, where have you been for the last 1 1/4. They're 5th in the Wild Card and 2nd in thier division. The NL West is the only bad division. No is above .500 (except the Padres), so if the Mets were in that league they'd be in 2nd, and not last.

So grade your favorite team during the First part of the year.

B- Mets

[UConnMetFan]

Mets: C, and it would be higher if not for the guy in my avatar.

Nationals win the WC behind the Braves in the NL East.

[BaseballFanatic]

I love that Avatar, next time can you make Braden Looper jumping off the scoreboard.

[nyjunc]

Why do people think the New York Mets are doing bad; I don't know

You are in last place and will be 8-9 games back of 1st at the break and 5 out in the L column for the WC.

[The Philly Fanatic]

If the Marlins keep their pitching together while making a move for a bat that won't hurt roster, I have to give my vote of confidence to them. That pitching can bring them a long ways and it doesn't appear to be slowing down.

[ATLien]

Braves B

Hard to not get excited watching the rookies succeed. Nationals will win the WC.

[Kingdom]

Astros. I think the run they are on now has put them in position to be buyers against, just like last season. If they can get a couple of pieces, namely some bats, they can ride Clemens and Oswalt to glory.

[Dunn#44]

Reds- Is there a grade lower than an F. If there is thats what the Reds grade is so far.

[HollywoodLeo]

Other Padre fans probably wouldn't agree with me on this, but I'd give the Padres a B. Things have looked a bit glum the past month, but the way I see it is they've been staying alive with half the team sick and then injured. This is probably the best bench i've ever seen wearing Padres uniforms and the bullpen is right there with them.

That said, i'm thankful that the rest of the NL West sucks, otherwise the Padres would be in third right now.

[HollywoodLeo]

oh yeah, and the wildcard is NOT coming out of the NL West

[love_that_reefer]

The Giants get a C, a generous C just for the fact of who they have lost. Bonds, Benitez, Schmidt, Alou, Snow, and Alfonzo have all been on the DL and they are only 12 games under .500. They shoul be worse thanthis with all these injuries to very key players but the Giants have shown signs of life lately and still are not completely out of the West race with the Pads struggling.

The Braves will win the WC. The Nationals have money to spend as they have exceeded their revenue expectations. Its gonna be a great race in the East but I think if the nationals make a move or two, they can stay on top with the best closer in the game.

[Justin]

I give the Cardinals an A

The pitching staff is doing very well. Carpenter leads the team in wins with 13. Isringhausen has 24 saves. Rolen has played only 49 total games due to injury. Pujols has 22 HR's and will lead the league in HR's by this season is over(maybe). It could be better but the Cards will be better during the second half. I see them winning 85-100 games and a trip to the World Series.

[General]

B+ for the Braves, factoring key injuries to our main weapon, which is starting pitching.

[realmofotalk]

Dodgers: C

If reefer can give a generous C to his Giants, I also give a generous C to the Dodgers for the same reason: injuries. The lineup right now looks like a AAA batting order surrounding Jeff Kent. Izturis, Drew, Bradley, and Gagne are all on the DL and Perez just came back. The team's lost 11 of 16 and should be in 4th place right now and will be 4th soon when the Giants pass them for 3rd. The offense is inconsistent, the starting pitchers get outpitched, and the bullpen is blowing games.

[HuskerFan2002]

I also give the Cardinals an A. I was pretty skeptical in regards to Rolen's injury. I didn't think we could rebound but I was wrong. Pitching is the key to win championships and if our staff can stay healthy, we can win the whole thing.