MLB National League predictions: Washington Nationals, St Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers win their divisions

For the Los Angele Dodgers, there are fewer defensive holes, solid lineup and Clayton Kershaw still the pitcher of the century. Looks good from here, writes Gregg Patton.

San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy, right, speaks with catchers Buster Posey, left, and Hector Sanchez, center, during batting practice prior to a spring training exhibition baseball game againsShow more

East

1 Washington Nationals Shame on them if they don't win 100 games. Added top free agent Max Scherzer to the league's best rotation and team, and Bryce Harper's breakout season is overdue.

2 Florida Marlins Giancarlo Stanton's MLB-record US$325 million (Dh1.19 billion) contract will look good if his bargain-salaried teammates can demonstrate some value. A good half-season from ace Jose Fernandez (elbow surgery) would help.

3 New York Mets Nice pitching. Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom at the top. Bad hitting. Thirty more home runs from Lucas Duda won't make them a contender.

4 Atlanta Braves Justin Upton, Evan Gattis, Jason Heyward, Ervin Santana are on the move – away from Atlanta. Their replacements (Jonny Gomes, Eric Young, Zoilo Almonte) don't look like much.

5 Philadelphia Phillies Once Cole Hamels, Chase Utley and Jonathan Papelbon are traded, the Phillies will still have washed-up Ryan Howard and Jeff Francoeur. Their goal will be to avoid 100 losses.

Central

1 St Louis Cardinals Can't pick against the Cardinals. Pitcher Carlos Martinez will be spectacular, infielder Kolten Wong will be an all-star. Something. Something wonderful always happens under The Arch.

2 Milwaukee Brewers Already hate this pick. Pitching wins, and this staff is a bowl of noodles. But Braun, Gomez, Lucroy, Ramirez, Davis, Lind? They can rake and cover up the pitching, right? What a bad pick.

3 Pittsburgh Pirates This division is getting tougher, and the Pirates may regress. Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, Pedro Alvarez, Josh Harrison are fine. But aren't the pitchers getting mouldy? What a bad pick.

4 Chicago Cubs Signed Jon Lester because they want to compete now. They can't. Kids are kids, even Kris Bryant. They will promote him from the minors in Week 2 and dump it all on his shoulders. Cover your eyes.

5 Cincinnati Reds Catcher Devin Mesoraco may be their best hitter, like Johnny Bench was with the Big Red Machine of yore. But that leaves them short one Perez, one Foster, one Morgan, one Rose.

West

1 Los Angeles Dodgers Fewer defensive holes, solid lineup and Clayton Kershaw still the pitcher of the century. Looks good from here.

2 San Francisco Giants Why push for a division title? The wild card works. But a couple oldies (Matt Cain? Jake Peavy? A Tim, Hudson or Lincecum?) better spark because that offence is more Munchkin than Giant.

3 San Diego Padres The flashiest, talent-grabbing-est winter in recent history should launch the horrendous 2014 Padres all the way up to … maybe .500. The defence is worse and that stellar pitching staff may not be as good when balls start dropping in the spacious Petco Park outfield.

4 Arizona Diamondbacks Paul Goldschmidt is really good. Followed by Joe Nada, Bob Zero and Jim Empty. Even pitching-deficient Boston gave up on Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster, the featured No 3 and No 4 starters. But Goldschmidt is really good.

5 Colorado Rockies We're assuming injury risks Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzales won't last half the season, or will be traded, and the pitchers will be demoralised again by the thin air of Coors Field.

Follow us at our new home on Twitter @NatSportUAE