-66, 1st in NL East. Lost to

Baseball season is just around the corner and TSN. Leodis McKelvin Jersey .ca has you covered for whos in, whos out and what to expect from all 30 teams. Check in every day this week for two new division previews, finishing up with Scott MacArthurs look at the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. Heres what to expect out of the National League East in 2014. Atlanta Braves GM: Frank Wren Manager: Fredi Gonzalez 2013: 96-66, 1st in NL East. Lost to Los Angeles in National League Division Series. That Was Then: Picked by many to be a wild card team at best, the 2013 Atlanta Braves stormed to a 96-win season and a division title. The acquisition of the Upton brothers was the blockbuster move of last off-season but it was the development of young pitching and a few surprise offensive contributions that ended up making the difference for the Braves. Chris Johnson, an added piece to the Justin Upton trade, finished second in the league with a .321 batting average and swatted 12 homers in an unexpected breakout season. Andrelton Simmons provided high calibre defence at shortstop and was also a very capable producer at the plate. Mike Minor, Julio Teheran and Kris Medlen all emerged as top of the line starters and it was their contributions that were leaned on the hardest to push the Braves right back to the top of the NL East. This Is Now: Everyone was prepared for the Braves to deal with pitching regression during the 2014 season but instead Spring Training has been a disaster of injuries. Both Medlen and Brandon Beachy were forced to undergo their second Tommy John surgeries ending both of their seasons before even throwing one pitch that counts. Much sought-after free agent Ervin Santana eventually landed in Atlanta after the injuries on a one-year deal but a clear strength of the team has been wiped out before even one game at Turner Field. Prior to the injuries, the Braves spent the off-season locking up the core of their team long term. Freddie Freeman, Craig Kimbrel, Jason Heyward, Simmons and Teheran, who will now get the opening day assignment, are all locked up, allowing the team to move forward with certainty. After being wiped out by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series last year, the Braves will be looking to build on a strong season. Expect their biggest challenge to come in division from the Washington Nationals. It should be a two horse race that comes right down to the wire. Whos In?: SP Gavin Floyd, SP Aaron Harang, SP Ervin Santana. Whos Out?: RP Luis Ayala, 3B Blake DeWitt, RP Scott Downs, SP Tim Hudson, IF Paul Janish, OF Reed Johnson, SP Paul Maholm, C Brian McCann, RP Eric OFlaherty. Miami Marlins GM: Michael Hill Manager: Mike Redmond 2013: 62-100, 5th in NL East. Did not qualify for playoffs. That Was Then: After unloading anything that wasnt nailed down prior to the season, the Miami Marlins were not expected to do much in 2013 and they didnt. They finished the year with a 62-100 record, which is a bad season even by their incredibly low standards and were led offensively with only two players passing even the 10-home run mark. What to make, then, of the incredible Rookie of the Year season of Jose Fernandez? Fernandez turned in one of the greatest seasons by a rookie pitcher in MLBs live ball era. Taking into account all first year hurlers since 1920, he finished fifth in ERA with a 2.19 mark, second in WHIP at .979 and sixth in K/9 at 9.7. His season is even more incredible when you see the team that was surrounding him when he posted those lofty numbers. He even hit his first career home run, which ties him with two players that had regular at bats over the course of the season. This Is Now: Henderson Alvarez, one of the players the Marlins acquired in last seasons blockbuster deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, threw a no-hitter in his final start of the season last year and his continued improvement is one of the keys to their season. Giancarlo Stanton is the only offensive weapon in the lineup and his tape measure blasts will once again be counted on by the Marlins to keep them in games. They will also hope Fernandez can be as good or better in his sophomore season. It is going to be another long year in Miami but this is a team with good young talent that will continue to grow. Whos In?: IF Jeff Baker, OF Brian Bogusevic, RP Carter Capps, OF Reed Johnson, IF Garrett Jones, RP Carlos Marmol, RP Henry Rodriguez, C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, OF Jordany Valdespin, IF Ty Wigginton. Whos Out?: RP Duane Below, 1B Jordan Brown, OF Chris Coghlan, OF Matt Diaz, OF Logan Morrison, C Miguel Olivo, RP Chad Qualls, RP Ryan Webb . New York Mets GM: Sandy Alderson Manager: Terry Collins 2013: 74-88, 3rd in NL East. Did not qualify for playoffs. That Was Then: 2013 was another lost season for the New York Mets, as they finished under .500 for the fifth straight season and found themselves outside of the playoff picture for the seventh in a row. They were never a factor in the National League playoff race and even the two high points of their season were in the end bittersweet. All-Star third baseman David Wright was posting elite level numbers and was well on his way to being part of the end of the season MVP conversation when an August hamstring injury stole 45 games right out of the stretch drive of his season. As it was, he finished with 18 homers and 58 RBIs while providing the team with his usual defence and leadership along the way. However the story for the 2013 Mets was starter Matt Harvey, who was named as the NL starting pitcher at the 2013 All-Star game and was dominant in his breakout season. Harvey posted a 9-5 record and 2.27 ERA with 191 strikeouts in 178.1 innings but on Aug. 26 doctors discovered a partially torn UCL bringing his season to an end. He would eventually undergo Tommy John surgery that will also cost him his entire 2014 campaign. This Is Now: A healthy Wright will once again be one of the key cogs in the Mets machine in 2014 but without Harvey they will have to compete all season with a huge hole in their rotation. To help Wright, the Mets signed outfielder Curtis Granderson away from their cross-town rival New York Yankees and will count on his veteran bat. They splashed the cash for starter Bartolo Colon who cannot be expected to replace Harvey but will be a boost to their rotation. They will also rely on youngsters like highly touted prospect Travis dArnaud who should get his chance at some point this season to finally show what he can do at the Major League level. Whos In?: SP Bartolo Colon, RP Kyle Farnsworth, OF Curtis Granderson, SP Jeremy Hefner, SP John Lannan, RP Jose Valverde, OF Chris Young. Whos Out?: RP David Aardsma, OF Rick Ankiel, RP LaTroy Hawkins, SP Shaun Marcum, IF Justin Turner, OF Jordany Valdespin. Philadelphia Phillies GM: Ruben Amaro, Jr. Manager: Ryne Sandberg 2013: 73-89, 4th in NL East. Did not qualify for playoffs That Was Then: A 53-67 record over their first 120 games spelled the end of the line for long time manager Charlie Manuel, who was fired and replaced by Ryne Sandberg. This list of players that under-performed for the Phillies is long but is highlighted by slugger Ryan Howard who produced at career-low levels with 11 home runs and 43 RBIs in 80 games. He lost much of the season after having to undergo knee surgery. A shoulder injury hampered two-time Cy Young Award-winner Roy Halladay, who turned in a 4-5 season with a 6.82 ERA after being limited to only 13 starts. It would turn out to be his last Major League season, with the Doctor retiring over the winter. In a tough division the Phillies looked older and a step behind for the entire season. This Is Now: Coming into 2014 the question surrounding the Phillies was: Would they blow it all up or try to add a few pieces to their veteran lineup and take another run at being a real player in the NL East? Locking up starter A.J. Burnett in the off-season was as good a signal as any that the Phillies were indeed looking up instead of looking ahead. With a rotation that now includes Burnett along with Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Kyle Kendrick, they should be in most games. The problem they have is: What can they expect out of their aging lineup? A bounce-back season from not only Howard but former league MVP Jimmy Rollins will be key components to any success they have throughout the season. The addition of Marlon Byrd didnt make them any younger but it does make them stronger and deeper. Sandberg finished 2013 20-22 at the helm of a team that had already packed it in for the season , in his first full year in charge hell have a huge task in trying to get this ship once again headed in the proper direction. Whos In?: SS Reid Brignac, SP A.J. Burnett, OF Marlon Byrd, RP Shawn Camp, IF Ronny Cedeno, SP Chad Gaudin, SP Roberto Hernandez, RP Brad Lincoln, C Lou Marson, C Wil Nieves, OF Clete Thomas. Whos Out?: OF Roger Bernadina, RP Chad Durbin, SP Roy Halladay, C Erik Kratz, SP John Lannan, RP Zach Miner, OF Laynce Nix, IF Pete Orr, OF Casper Wells. Washington Nationals GM: Mike Rizzo Manager: Matt Williams 2013: 86-76, 2nd in NL East. Did not qualify for playoffs. That Was Then: After making the playoffs for the first time since the franchise relocated, the Washington Nationals were a team on the rise, with elite young talent at important positions ready to contribute and an old school manager with the moxy to label the 2013 season: World Series or Bust. Unfortunately, and despite a strong 29-11 finish to the season, Davey Johnsons Nationals went bust as they were only able to pick up 86 wins on their way to finishing outside of the playoff picture. It doesnt take a deep dive into the numbers to see what went wrong in the American Capital in 2013. The teams starters ERA which was a league best the season before slipped to sixth as did their overall defensive ranking. Additions of players like Dan Haren and Denard Span failed to have the effect that management had hoped when they picked them up in the off- season. Outfielder Bryce Harper showed a lot of heart and fearlessness as he twice made the highlight reel crashing into walls, unfortunately those incidents would end up costing him as the season wore on and staff ace Stephen Strasburg finished with an 8-9 record coming off a career best 15-win campaign. This Is Now: Matt Williams is now the man in charge, taking over for Johnson who retired at the end of the 2013 season and he will be debuting with a roster that is almost totally intact from the prior season. The two biggest additions to this years team are starter Doug Fister who was acquired from the Detroit Tigers and, of course, another year of experience under the belt of both Harper and Strasburg. In Harper, Denard Span and Jayson Werth, the Nationals will have one of the best combinations of speed and power in the outfield league wide and if these three can stay healthy and produce, should also form one of the best top of the lineup combinations. As far as starters go, it would be hard not to be excited by the combination of Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez and Fister. Again, with health on their side, it would be very difficult to find a better or deeper top-four rotation in the entire league. If the Nationals can also count on a bullpen that let them down last season but is chalked full of talent, there is no question they are once again among the favourites to make the post season. Just dont expect Matt Williams to label his new squad World Series or bust. Whos In?: RP Luis Ayala, RP Jerry Blevins, SP Doug Fister, RP Michael Gonzalez, C Koyie Hill, C Jose Lobaton, OF Nate McLouth, RP Daniel Stange. Whos Out?: RP Fernando Abad, SP Dan Haren, SP Nathan Karns, RP Ian Krol, IF Steve Lombardozzi, RP Mark Lowe, 1B Chris Marrero, RP Yunesky Maya, 3B Chad Tracy. Scott Chandler Jersey . Kawhi Leonard scored 20 points, Tony Parker had 16 points and 10 assists, and San Antonio rolled to a 114-97 victory over the Trail Blazers on Thursday night for a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals. Frank Summers Jersey . The 25-year-old rookie forward scored the winner on his first career shootout attempt as the Philadelphia Flyers overcame an early deficit to earn a 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.Almost 40 years to the day since playing their first ever match against San Jose Earthquakes, the Vancouver Whitecaps will face the Quakes once again on Saturday, as the club celebrates its 40th anniversary. But amidst the celebrations, its important the Whitecaps return to winning ways in Major League Soccer against an Earthquakes team that is below them in the Western Conference standings. The Form: Its now four matches without a victory for the Whitecaps who are yet to win against a Western Conference opponent this season, but they have tied their last two games against two of the top teams in Major League Soccer. In Utah last Saturday, the Whitecaps started terribly, going two goals down inside the first nine minutes against Real Salt Lake, but the second half was much improved, and a late comeback ensured the Whitecaps left Rio Tinto Stadium with a point. The Big Question: Will either of the Uruguayans be given the chance to start? Nicolas Mezquida and Sebastian Fernandez made an impact coming off the bench at Real Salt Lake a week ago, both scoring a goal, including a fantastic strike from Fernandez in the final minute of stoppage time to tie the match. Prior to the game, Carl Robinson said last week that the Uruguayan duo had been performing very well in training and wear very close to getting a start in the team. Mezquida has appeared in four matches this season, all as a substitute, while Fernandez started the season but then was left on the bench after a couple of less effective performances. With a Canadian Championship semifinal against Toronto FC coming up on Wednesday, its likely Mezquida and Fernandez will start at least one of the two games. "Everyone will get their chance," said Robinson after training on Thursday. "As a player, all you want is the chance to play and show what you can do, and most of the players will get that chance." The Lineup: Chilean midfielder Pedro Morales missed the trip to Real Salt. Lake to try and heal a back problem that has plagued him in the opening weeks of the season, but if he has fully recovered, he is likely to return to the Whitecaps lineup. Once again, there is a big decision for Carl Robinson in the centre of defence. Last week, Jay DeMerit staayed at home as Honduran international Johnny Leveron partnered Andy OBrien at the back. Kiko Alonso Womens Jerseys. Robinson must decide whether to stick with that pairing and bring some consistency to the back line, or bring DeMerit back into the eleven. Nigel Reo-Coker played the first three matches of the season but hasnt played since due to injury, coachs decision and most recently illness. Its doubtful that Reo-Coker will be considered for the starting lineup but he could return on the bench. The Opposition: San Jose Earthquakes started the season with a five match winless run, but that came to an end last weekend when they won 1-0 at home to Chivas USA. The Quakes are yet to win away from home this season, losing 1-0 at Kansas City and tying 0-0 at Colorado. Yannick Djalo scored the only goal of the game against Chivas. The 27-year-old from Portugal is still adapting in his first few weeks in Major League Soccer as he gets fully fit, but he is a quality addition for the Quakes this season, joining on loan from Benfica. 2012 MLS MVP Chris Wondolowski has scored three goals in six matches so far this season as he looks to win a place in Jurgen Klinsmanns United States squad for this summers World Cup in Brazil. The 31-year-old has an excellent goal scoring record against the Whitecaps. On a day where there will be plenty of focus on the soccer history of Vancouver, it is fitting that there is a heavy Vancouver presence amongst the Earthquakes coaching staff. Head Coach Mark Watson played for Whitecaps in 1994 and 2005 while assistant coach Nick Dasovic previously played for the 86ers and was a player coach with Caps from 2002 to 2005. Both men are from Vancouver. The Odds: The Earthquakes are yet to win in Vancouver against the Whitecaps in Major League Soccer and the Caps must be favourites heading in. Carl Robinsons team are four points ahead of the Quakes in the standings but have played two games more. The Whitecaps continue to develop under Robinson, but they must start to put together 90 minute performances if they are to get back to winning ways. Where To Watch: Whitecaps against San Jose is live on TSN2 on Saturday. Were on air with a special Whitecaps 40th anniversary pre-match show at 6:30pm et/3:30pm pt. ' ' '