The NL East gets all the press

Two articles today break down the NL East.

Jayson Stark gets absolutely blasted by Mets fans in his "That's Debatable" column where he breaks down the National League East. (Spoiler: He picked the Phillies to win it) Read the comments for the angry fans from New York.

Here is his case for the Mets:

It's September in reverse for the Mets. It took them less than four weeks to slice a 7.5-game Phillies lead to a half-game, just before the All-Star break. And they went from 5.5; out on the 4th of July to a tie for first quicker than you could say, ''10-game winning streak.'' So while there's still a debate about which of these teams is better, there's no doubt who's hotter. Since Jerry Manuel became their manager, the Mets are 19-12. They've averaged more than six runs a game. And they have a much more positive vibe, on and off the field.

I'll allow it. I'd rather be the underdog here than the top seat and set up for disaster (again). Everyone is loving the Jerry-vibe.

John Donovan reveals the cons for the teams of the NL East. The Mets is kind of iffy:

BUT ... Johan Santana, as good as he's been (3.10 ERA), hasn't been as dominant as many assumed he'd be. Pedro Martinez (3-2, 6.25) has been awful in his return from injury. The rest of the rotation is barely average. And the bullpen, with a 3.85 ERA, is better only than the Nationals in the East.

Last time I checked a 3.10 ERA is nothing to scoff at.

Again, as I said this morning, it really looks like it's going to be a fun stretch run. It seems to be a three team dogfight as of now, but all the Braves need is a good run to be right back in it.

I'm going out on a limb and calling the Nationals over. I don't think anyone can disagree with that statement.