Although there was a swap of positions in the middle of the division standings over the past few weeks, MLB tickets are only relevant for the rest of the 2006 season in one or possibly two cities. The Mets are just a game or two away from clinching the division, and we’ll examine their postseason prospects. The Phillies also remain somewhat alive, so we’ll examine them and the outlook for 2007 for everyone else.
New York Mets
Currently:
The Mets have basically won the division on the heels of a tremendous season by Carlos Beltran and decent pitching. Not to take anything away from them, but this is a relatively weak division as well, and the Mets have feasted on their lack of competition. This is a veteran team that knows how to close out a race, and that’s exactly what they’re doing as of this writing.
Outlook:
The Mets are getting Pedro Martinez back just in time, and he along with Tom Glavine need to be strong in the postseason. Beltran also needs to maintain his high level of play, or else the Mets will struggle. As it is, they’re as good a bet as anyone to get to the World Series.
Philadelphia Phillies
Currently:
It’s been a strange season for the Phillies, as they appeared to give up on the season only to surge into contention for the Wild Card spot. They’re still barely hanging on in the chase, but they need to turn it on now, as they’re running out of games to catch the Padres. The story of the season has been the emergence of Ryan Howard, and baseball fans everywhere want to root for a “clean” player as he puts up historic HR numbers.
Outlook:
The Phillies could possibly land in the postseason, but regardless, they need pitching and another bat in their lineup to take the next step.
Florida Marlins
Currently:
The Marlins took over third place in the division and moved over the .500 mark as of this writing with a 19-9 month. This is a team that’s slowly but surely getting better with another young nucleus that could challenge for big things in the coming season as these players mature. The Marlins have talent behind the plate and on the mound.
Outlook:
MLB tickets should be a hot item in South Florida in 2007, as the team looks to only get better as their young team puts another year of valuable experience behind them.
Atlanta Braves
Currently:
The Braves’ incredible postseason streak is ending this year, but what they’ve accomplished in recent times should not be overlooked. The 2006 season was ruined by injury and age, and the Braves have struggled to maintain any type of consistency.
Outlook:
The Braves always seem to be stocked with young talent, and they’ll need that next generation to come of age to contend in 2007, as Andruw and Chipper Jones aren’t getting any younger.
Washington Nationals
Currently:
The Nationals have been a bit of a disappointment this year after reaching the .500 mark in 2005. Their downfall was due to two things: bad pitching and no one besides Alfonso Soriano in the lineup that was a threat to produce runs.
The Nationals need another bat in the lineup and more pitching. If they get that done during the offseason, MLB tickets will again be a hot item in Washington, D.C.
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