Our MLB 2015 Predictions Simulation From MLB 15: The Show
NL East
2015 MLB Standings
- Nationals 105-57
- y-Marlins 86-76
- Phillies 81-81
- Mets 81-81
- Barves 77-85
“y” denotes Wildcard spot.
Not only do the Nationals sport a .648 winning percentage (which is ridiculous), but 4 out of the 5 NL East teams finished the 2015 MLB season with a .500 record or better. Both playoff contenders sported strong divisional efforts, with 44 and 42 wins within the NL East for the National and Marlins, respectively. Both teams took very different approaches when striving for success. The Phillies weren’t absolute garbage. The Mets broke even on the season. The Barves (read: Atlanta Braves) were last. What a year for the best division (by record) in baseball this year!
Washington Nationals
As the Blue Jays and Reds play two sold-out games in le Stade Olympique this weekend, the former Montreal Expos (now Washington Nationals) are the team to beat going into this year. Their pitching rotation spat hot fire, with Jordan Zimmermann’s 2.27 ERA and 0.92 WHIP just being outstanding. 4 out of their 5 starters pitched more than 200 innings each, while Taylor Jordan stepped in for 8 injury-necessitated starts to provide some impressive pitching lines. Still, there’s no beating a rotation of Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Doug Fister and Jordan Zimmerman. What a stacked squad.
The offense shouldn’t be overlooked, as a balanced team full of powerful, yet speedy offerings. Jayson Werth’s beard was worth the price of admission, but his 25 dingers, 16 stolen bases and .897 OPS helped more. Youth springs eternal at the plate, as Bryce Harper continues to tear the cover off of the ball with 26 big flies and 40 doubles. 5 players had double-digit steals, led by Leony Martin’s 32. 7 players walked more than 50 times in the year. Everything that could have gone right for the Nationals, well, did.
Next: Miami Marlins