How do you like them Grapefruits: NL East Foes to Watch

With so much attention devoted to the Phillies in the off-season, it's easy for us to overlook our NL East opponents, but without a doubt they will do whatever it takes to prove the media wrong and make it as difficult as possible to win their fifth straight NL East title. With the Phillies facing each NL East opponent 18 times a year, which new NL East players (or players in new uniforms) will the Phillies need to pay special attention to this year and who will continue to prove to be formidable foes?

New* Players:



1. Jayson Werth
Washington Nationals, OF 
We've all seen what Jayson can do at the plate, on the bases, and in the outfield. Expect him to hit several solo shots off Phillies pitching. (Remember his terrible average with runners in scoring position? .186 or 26 for 140, in case you forgot) He hit 18 home runs at Citizen's Bank Park last year, the same number of solo home runs he hit last season. Werth gunned down eight base runners last season and 11 the year before. Don't be surprised if he throws a little harder against his former club if there's a play at the plate.


2. Matt Stairs
Washington Nationals, PH
In case you've forgotten about journeyman Matt Stairs, he was the guy that hit this bomb against the LA Dodgers in the NLCS in 2008. If the Nationals keep him on the roster, they would be his 13th major league team in 18 years. He's compiled 265 HRs in that time and no doubt has a couple left in him if he gets the chance to bat against the Phillies in a clutch situation. I saw him play for San Diego against the Phils last year, and he was giving a roaring round of applause. He proceeded to get a single and then proved that he's full of surprises by swiping second base with Joe Blanton on the mound.


3.  Adam LaRoche
Washington Nationals, 1B
Adam LaRoche called the NL East home for 3.5 seasons in two stints as a member of the Atlanta Braves. He is a lifetime .271 batter and cranked 25 HRs with the Arizona Diamondbacks last season. Hitting 25 home runs a year is typical for LaRoche. Towards the end of the season his numbers peak, .295 average after the All-Star break. Expect the same output from him this season.


4. Dan Uggla
Atlanta Braves, 2B 
Former member of the Florida Marlins, Uggla brings considerable power with him to an Atlanta team that could cause problems for the Phillies this year. Last season, Uggla batted .287, hit 33 HRs, and batted in 105 runs, claiming an NL Silver Slugger award. Uggla batted much better outside of Florida during his 5-year tenure there and could have an even better season this year getting most of his at bats at Turner Field.


5. Omar Infante
Florida Marlins, INF
A surprise selection to the All-Star team last year as a representative of the Atlanta Braves, Infante looks to fill the void left by Dan Uggla at 2B in Florida. Infante is a career .274 hitter, but batted a remarkable .321 last season.


Familiar Faces


Atlanta Braves


A healthy Chipper Jones (left) and Jason Heyward (middle) coupled with Brian McCann (right) could spell trouble for Phillies pitchers this year. Jones is expected to bounce back from last year's season ending injury with a batting average circa .275 and with 15 home runs. In the past three years, Chipper has batted .348 against the Phillies, higher than any other NL East opponent.

Heyward missed 20 games mid-season last year with a thumb injury. He still managed to hit .277, 18 HRs, and 72 RBI as a rookie last year. He remains touted as future-MVP, and will no doubt improve on last year's numbers this season.

McCann's batting average dropped 20 points from 2008 to 2009 and another 12 points in 2010. His average most likely will not dip much further in 2011 and he is entirely capable of hitting 20+ HRs and 80 RBI.


Washington Nationals


The Nationals were busy this off season, bringing in: Jayson Werth, Tom Gorzelanny, Adam LaRoche, Henry Rodriguez, Rick Ankiel, Chad Gaudin, Chien-Ming Wang, Jerry Hairston, Jr., Todd Coffey, Matt Stairs, Alex Cora, Cla Meredith, Corey Brown and getting rid of: Adam Dunn, Josh Willingham, Justin Maxwell, Wil Nieves, Joel Peralta, Willie Harris, Adam Kennedy, Miguel Batista, Kevin Mench, Tyler Walker, Scott Olsen.

3B Ryan Zimmerman escaped the Nationals binge and purge and remains a threat to the Phillies. In five seasons, Zimmerman has 55 RBI against the Phils. Last season, Zimmerman showed his prowess in the clutch, batting .365 with runners in scoring position and two outs and recording 24 RBI in those situations.


Florida Marlins



Mike Stanton (L) and Hanley Ramierez (M) can not be overlooked as offensive threats in 2011. Stanton, a rookie last season, blasted 22 HRs in 2010, and is expected to hit at least 30 this year. Ramierez sat 20 games last season with nagging elbow issues, but should bounce back this year. Ramierez is a lifetime .319 hitter and provides 20+ HRs and 30+ steals for the young Marlins. Pitcher Josh Johnson (R) had the Phillies number last season. In two starts against Philadelphia, Johnson gave up just one run (unearned) and that unearned run came during Roy Halladay's perfect game. He finished the season 11-6 with a 2.30 ERA and 186 strikeouts.


NY Mets


SS Jose Reyes (L) and 3B David Wright (R) will try to keep the Mets afloat in the NL East this year. Reyes missed most of 2009 and part of 2010 with injuries, but if healthy will remain problematic to the Phils. Reyes had 23 hits, 3 SBs, 3 HRs, and 12 RBI against the Phillies last year. Wright will most likely have another .280+, 30 HR, and 100+ RBI season this year as the Mets will rely on him for the majority of their offense.