Predictions: Mets season, stats and standings

Well, it's that time again, time to start making predictions, and for rival fans to start arguing with each other on whose team is the best of all time. It's now my turn to release my predictions. Today I will do the starters and position players. Tommorow I'll do the bench players, middle relievers, and different prospects sprinkled throughout the organization. Before I start my predictions I would like to offer my sincerest apology for not posting the last two weeks as I have been very busy with school and previewing the school's varsity baseball team. However, I should be back for consistent posting now that the season is merely a few days away.

Standings:
NL East:
Mets- We all know how much the Mets have improved this season, and here's the way I see it: if the Mets play exactly as they did last season, but have Wagner close than they win 5 more pushing their win total to 88 wins. Next, the arrival of Delgado. The Mets were last in the league last year at first base production, therefore I think the arrival of Delgado should add 3 wins in itself, also I think Delgado's presence in the lineup will make Beltran play better, adding 2 more wins. Now, I feel that Pedro's injured toe, Bannister being a rookie, and the lack of a real number 2 starter should subtract anywhere 2-8 (hopefully it's the former) wins. All in all, if everything I mentioned happens the Mets should have about 90-92 wins, which should lock up the wild card if not the division.
Braves- They are the champions of the NL East, however I think this is finally the year. Mike Hampton is most likely out for the season, John Smoltz is one year older, Kyle Davies is a question mark, and Jorge Sosa may be a one hit wonder (see Carl Pavano). Hudson should have a typical Hudson year, but even his health has some question marks. The offense should be very exciting with rookies and youngsters Jeff franceour, Brian McCann, Adam LaRoche, and with the stable veterans: Marcus Giles, Chipper Jones, and Andruw Jones. I expect the Brave's season to go very similar to the Mets' season last year, with maybe a handful of more wins. My prediction: 85-77.
Phillies- Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are studs, plain and simple. I expect Howard to hit 35+ home runs this year, while Mark Healey of Gotham Baseball thinks Chase Utley will win the MVP. Howard and Utley match up with powerhitters Bobby Abreu and Pat Burrell and speedster Jimmy Rollins for a monstrous lineup. However, they did have the same lineup last year which is why I expect them to have a similar season. Tom Gordon is a huge downgrade over Billy Wagner, and they also lose Ugeth Urbina and Ryan Madson from the bullpen. I'm thinking about 84-86 wins.
Marlins- I'm taking a page out of Bobby Cox's book here, I'm going with my gut feeling. The Marlins an incredible young team with unlimited potential. I expect Mike Jacobs to be a solid first baseman, Jeremy Hermida to be the Rookie of the Year, and Josh Willingham to emerge as a good catcher/Outfielder. Plus, they do have Migeul Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. Outside of those five players they basically have a bunch of prospects and veterans, but I see them having a very strong August and September and surpassing the Nats for fourth place with 73 wins.
Nationals- This team has just had terrible luck this Spring. Brian Lawrence is out for the season, Jose Guillen has a bad shoulder which may return once the season starts, and Alfonso Soriano has had a terrible attitude and I feel that his attitude will cause another Pete Rose Lou Pinella battle, except this time with Frank Robinson. Livan Hernandez's knee may start hurting again, and Luis Ayala is out for the season as well. They have just had terrible luck, and I think their bad luck will continue all year now that the arrival in Washington high is gone.

Mets Stat Predictions:
Starters-
1) Pedro Martinez 17-8, 3.38 era, 199 K's, 210 Innings Pitched
2) Tom Glavine 14-9 3.30 era, 170 K's, 220 Innings Pitched
3) Victor Zambrano- 11-10 4.05 era, 130 K's, 195 Innings Pitched
4) Steve Trachsel- 3-4 4.98 era, 50 K's, 75 Innings Pitched (injury)
5) Brian Bannister- 10-10 4.30 era, 110 K's, 180 Innings Pitched

Position Players:
C- Paul LoDuca .280 BA, 8 HR, 70 RBI, 1 SB
1b- Carlos Delgado .290 BA, 31 HR, 110 RBI, 0 SB
2b- Anderson Hernandez .265 BA, 3 HR, 55 RBI, 28 SB
SS- Jose Reyes .280 BA, 10 HR, 71 RBI (Breaks Mets Franchise RBI record for a Shortstop), 65 SB, 40 SO
3b- David Wright .310 BA, 29 HR, 109 RBI, 22 SB, 15 E
LF- Cliff Floyd .270 BA, 27 HR, 88 RBI, 14 SB
CF- Carlos Beltran .280 BA, 25 HR (2 walkoffs), 95 RBI, 38 SB
RF- Xavier Nady- .255 BA, 20 HR, 65 RBI, 10 SB