That Balls Outta Here
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Ranking Phillies opponents in National League East

By John Town

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - MARCH 08: Atlanta Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) during the Spring Training game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves on March 8, 2019 at Champion Stadium in Lake Buena Vista, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - MARCH 08: Atlanta Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) during the Spring Training game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves on March 8, 2019 at Champion Stadium in Lake Buena Vista, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 11: Matt Wieters #32 of the Washington Nationals reacts in front of Jake Arrieta #49 of the Philadelphia Phillies after hitting a triple in the top of the fourth inning in game two of the doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park on September 11, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

The National League East is predicted to be one of the most competitive divisions in baseball. Which team should the Phillies be most scared of?

Early predictions for the 2018 season stated the Nationals would run away with the division and into the playoffs. That was not the case as the Phillies and Braves jockeyed for first place for most of the year until the former’s late-season implosion. The Nationals were able to slide back into second place despite underperforming. The Mets bit the injury bug hard and the Marlins were…the Marlins.

Predictions for this year indicate that the NL East will be one of the most competitive divisions in the league this season. All but one team made significant additions during the offseason that put them all in the conversation for the playoffs.

Philadelphia’s biggest offseason acquisition was obviously the signing of Bryce Harper to the then-largest contract in American pro sports history. They were active all offseason long, adding former All-Stars like J.T. Realmuto, Jean Segura, and Andrew McCutchen along with several others. All in all, they should be heavily improved from their 80-82 record last season.

Will all these additions be enough to keep up with the rest of the teams in the division? Unlike other divisions, nearly all the teams are trying to win this year, making reaching the playoffs a real uphill battle. It’s extremely unlikely an NL East teams wins 100 or even 95 games this year as they all take wins from each other.

Which team should intimidate the Phillies most this year? Do the reigning division champ Braves scare them the most? Or should the upstart Mets? Will the Nationals still be able to compete even after losing their franchise icon?

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