National League at a glance

WEST DIVISION

(In predicted order of finish)

Los Angeles Dodgers

2014: 94-68, first place, lost to St. Louis in Division Series.

Manager: Don Mattingly (fifth season).

Projected lineup: SS Jimmy Rollins (.243, 17 HRs, 55 RBI, 28 SBs with Phillies), LF Carl Crawford (.300, 8, 46), RF Yasiel Puig (.296, 16, 69, 37 2Bs), 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.276, 27, MLB-best 116 RBI), C Yasmani Grandal (.225, 15, 49 with Padres), 2B Howie Kendrick (.293, 7, 75 with Angels), CF Joc Pederson (.301, 33, 78 in Class AAA), 3B Juan Uribe (.311, 9, 54).

Rotation: LH Clayton Kershaw (21-3, 1.77 ERA, NL MVP and Cy Young Award), RH Zack Greinke (17-8, 2.71), LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (14-7, 3.38) or RH Joe Wieland (1-0, 7.15 with Padres), RH Brandon McCar­thy (3-10, 5.01 with Arizona and 7-5, 2.85 with Yankees), LH Brett Anderson (1-3, 2.91 in 8 starts with Colorado).

Key reliever: RH Kenley Jansen (2-3, 2.76, 44/49 saves).

Outlook: For the first time in a couple of years, the Dodgers weren’t asked about expectations this spring. Perhaps that’s because there’s only one: win the World Series. After a couple of narrow misses, can they finally get there?

San Francisco Giants

2014: 88-74, second place, wild card, World Series champions.

Manager: Bruce Bochy (ninth season).

Projected lineup: LF Nori Aoki (.285, 1, 43, 17 SBs with Royals), 2B Joe Panik (.305, 1, 18), CF Angel Pagan (.300, 3, 27), C Buster Posey (.311, 22, 89), 1B Brandon Belt (.243, 12, 27), 3B Casey McGehee (.287, 4, 76 with Marlins), RF Gregor Blanco (.260, 5, 38) or Hunter Pence (.277, 20, 74), SS Brandon Crawford (.246, 10, 69).

Rotation: LH Madison Bumgarner (18-10, 2.98, 219 K’s, 217 /3 IP), RH Jake Peavy (7-13, 3.73 with Boston and San Francisco), RH Matt Cain (2-7, 4.18), RH Tim Hudson (9-13, 3.57), RH Tim Lincecum (12-9, 4.74).

Key relievers: RH Santiago Casilla (3-3, 1.70, 19/23 saves), RH Sergio Romo (6-4, 3.72, 23/28 saves).

Outlook: The Giants are coming off their third World Series title in five seasons and hope to end the pattern of following a championship by missing the playoffs. With Pence out at the start of the season with a broken left arm and Mike Morse in Miami, there is little power left in San Francisco’s lineup.

San Diego Padres

2014: 77-85, third place.

Manager: Bud Black (ninth season).

Projected lineup: 3B Yangervis Solarte (.260, 10, 48 with Yankees and Padres), CF Wil Myers (.222, 6, 35 with Rays), RF Matt Kemp (.287, 25, 89, 38 2Bs with Dodgers), LF Justin Upton (.270, 29, 102, 34 2Bs with Braves), 1B Yonder Alonso (.240, 7, 27), 2B Jedd Gyorko (.210, 10, 51), C Derek Norris (.270, 10, 55 with Athletics), SS Alexi Amarista (.239, 5, 40, 12 SBs).

Rotation: RH James Shields (14-8, 3.21, 34 starts with Royals tied for most in majors), RH Andrew Cashner (5-7, 2.55), RH Tyson Ross (13-14, 2.81), RH Ian Kennedy (13-13, 3.63), RH Brandon Morrow (1-3, 5.67 with Toronto) or RH Odrisamer Despaigne (4-7, 3.36).

Key reliever: RH Joaquin Benoit (4-2, 1.49, 11 saves).

Outlook: First-year GM A.J. Preller has assembled a team that barely resembles the 2014 edition that scored a major-league-low 535 runs. The opening-day lineup should feature six players not in San Diego a year ago.

Colorado Rockies

2014: 66-96, fourth place.

Manager: Walt Weiss (third season).

Projected lineup: CF Charlie Blackmon (.288, 19, 72, 28 SBs), LF Corey Dickerson (.312, 24, 76), SS Troy Tulowitzki (.340, 21, 52 in 91 games), RF Carlos Gonzalez (.238, 11, 38 in 70 games), 3B Nolan Arenado (.287, 18, 61, 34 2Bs), 1B Justin Morneau (.319, 17, 82, 32 2Bs, NL batting champ), C Nick Hundley (.243, 6, 22 with San Diego and Baltimore), 2B D.J. LeMahieu (.267, 5, 42).

Rotation: LH Jorge De La Rosa (14-11, 4.10), RH Kyle Kendrick (10-13, 4.61 with Philadelphia), LH Tyler Matzek (6-11, 4.05), RH Jordan Lyles (7-4, 4.33) and either RH Eddie Butler (1-1, 6.75), RH Jon Gray (in minors last season), RH Christian Bergman (3-5, 5.93) or RH David Hale (4-5, 3.30 with Atlanta).

Key reliever: RH LaTroy Hawkins (4-3, 3.31, 23/26 saves).

Outlook: The Rockies are banking on bounce-back seasons from Tulowitzki (hip) and Gonzalez (knee) to get back on track after losing 96 games.

Arizona Diamondbacks

2014: 64-98, fifth place.

Manager: Chip Hale (first season).

Projected lineup: CF A.J. Pollock (.302, 7, 24), LF David Peralta (.286, 8, 36), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.300, 19, 69, 39 2Bs), RF Mark Trumbo (.235, 14, 61), 3B Yasmany Tomas (played in Cuba), 2B Chris Owings (.261, 6, 26), SS Nick Ahmed (.200, 1, 4), C Tuffy Gosewisch (.225, 1, 7).

Rotation: RH Josh Collmenter (11-9, 3.46), RH Jeremy Hellickson (1-5, 4.52 with Rays), RH Rubby De La Rosa (4-8, 4.43 with Boston), RH Chase Anderson (9-7, 4.01), RH Archie Bradley (3-7, 4.45 in 18 minor-league starts).

Key reliever: RH Addison Reed (1-7, 4.25, 32/38 saves).

Outlook: The Diamondbacks are hoping to make big strides after finishing with the worst record in baseball and second-worst in franchise history last season. Arizona overhauled its front office, bringing in Tony La Russa and Dave Stewart, and brought the energetic Hale onboard to help foster change in a franchise that has struggled since winning the 2011 NL West crown.

CENTRAL DIVISION

St. Louis Cardinals

2014: 90-72, first place, lost to San Francisco in NLCS.

Manager: Mike Matheny (fourth season).

Projected lineup: 3B Matt Carpenter (.272, 8 HRs, 59 RBI), RF Jason Heyward (,271, 11, 58, 20 SBs with Braves), LF Matt Holliday (.272, 20, 90), 1B Matt Adams (.288, 15, 68), C Yadier Molina (.282, 7, 38), SS Jhonny Peralta (.263, 21, 75), CF Jon Jay (.303, 3, 46), 2B Kolten Wong (.249, 12, 41, 20 SBs).

Rotation: RH Adam Wainwright (20-9, 2.38 ERA, 227 IP, 3 shutouts, 5 CGs), RH Lance Lynn (15-10, 2.74), RH Michael Wacha (5-6, 3.20 in 19 starts), RH John Lackey (14-10, 3.82 with Red Sox and Cardinals), RH Carlos Martinez (2-4, 4.03 in 57 games, 7 starts).

Key relievers: RH Trevor Rosenthal (2-6, 3.20, 45/51 saves).

Outlook: The Cardinals have been to the NLCS four consecutive seasons, including a World Series title in 2011, and there’s no reason they can’t make another deep run.

Pittsburgh Pirates

2014: 88-74, second place, lost to San Francisco in wild-card game.

Manager: Clint Hurdle (fifth season).

Projected lineup: 3B Josh Harrison (.315, 13, 52, 18 SBs), RF Gregory Polanco (.235, 7, 33), CF Andrew McCutchen (.314, 25, 83), 1B Pedro Alvarez (.231, 18, 56), 2B Neil Walker (.271, 23, 76), LF Starling Marte (.291, 13, 56, 30 SBs), C Francisco Cervelli (.301, 2, 13 with Yankees), SS Jordy Mercer (.255, 12, 55).

Rotation: LH Francisco Liriano (7-10, 3.38), RH Gerrit Cole (11-5, 3.65), RH A.J. Burnett (8-18, 4.59, led NL in losses and walks [96] with Phillies), RH Charlie Morton (6-12, 3.72), LH Jeff Locke (7-6, 3.91).

Key reliever: RH Mark Melancon (3-5, 1.90, 33/37 saves, 0.873 WHIP).

Outlook: Owner Bob Nutting trots out the same line on expectations every spring, that he expects the fall to bring Pittsburgh its seventh World Series title. It’s no longer just a dream.

Milwaukee Brewers

2014: 82-80, third place.

Manager: Ron Roenicke (fifth season).

Projected lineup: CF Carlos Gomez (.284, 23, 73, 24 SBs, 141 K’s), C Jonathan Lucroy (.301, 13, 69, 53 doubles), RF Ryan Braun (.266, 19, 81, 11 SBs), 3B Aramis Ramirez (.285, 15, 66), 1B Adam Lind (.321, 6, 40, 24 doubles in 96 games with Blue Jays), LF Khris Davis (.244, 22, 69, 37 doubles), 2B Scooter Gennett (.289, 9, 54), SS Jean Segura (.246, 5, 31, 20 SBs).

Rotation: RH Kyle Lohse (13-9, 3.54, 141 K’s, 1.15 WHIP), RH Matt Garza (8-8, 3.64), RH Wily Peralta (17-11, 3.53, 154 K’s), RH Mike Fiers (6-5, 2.13, 76 K’s, 0.88 WHIP in 712/3 IP), RH Jimmy Nelson (2-9, 4.93).

Key reliever: RH Francisco Rodriguez (5-5, 3.04, 44/49 saves, 0.99 WHIP, .198 BA against, 14 HRs allowed in 68 IP).

Outlook: The Brewers addressed the collapse of 2014 with tweaks instead of a makeover. Roenicke’s option for 2016 was picked up in the middle of the spring to add more stability. Still, owner Mark Attanasio has made it clear he thinks this is a playoff team. Reaching the postseason will remain tough in the competitive NL Central.

Cincinnati Reds

2014: 76-86, fourth place.

Manager: Bryan Price (second season).

Projected lineup: CF Billy Hamilton (.250, 6, 48, 56 SBs), 2B Brandon Phillips (.266, 8, 51), 1B Joey Votto (.255, 6, 23), 3B Todd Frazier (.273, 29, 80, 20 SBs), RF Jay Bruce (.217, 18, 66), C Devin Mesoraco (.273, 25, 80), LF Marlon Byrd (.264, 25, 85 with Phillies), SS Zack Cozart (.221, 4, 38).

Rotation: RH Johnny Cueto (20-9, 2.25), RH Mike Leake (11-13, 3.70), RH Anthony DeSclafani (2-2, 6.27 in 13 games for Marlins), RH Jason Marquis (9-5, 4.05 for Padres in 2013), RH Raisel Iglesias (pro debut).

Key reliever: LH Aroldis Chapman (0-3, 2.00, 36/38 saves).

Outlook: An offense that struggled to score runs despite playing in hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park should be boosted by the addition of Byrd and the return of Votto, who didn’t play after July 5 because of strained muscles above his left knee.

Chicago Cubs

2014: 73-89, fifth place.

Manager: Joe Maddon (first season).

Projected lineup: CF Dexter Fowler (.276, 8, 35, 11 SBs with Houston), SS Starlin Castro (.292, 14, 65, 33 2Bs), 1B Anthony Rizzo (.286, 32, 78), RF Jorge Soler (.292, 5, 20 in 24 games), C Miguel Montero (.243, 13, 72, 23 2Bs with Arizona), LF Chris Coghlan (.283, 9, 41, 5 3Bs), 3B Mike Olt (.160, 12, 33), 2B Arismendy Alcantara (.205, 10, 29).

Rotation: LH Jon Lester (16-11, 2.46 with Boston and Oakland), RH Jake Arrieta (10-5, 2.53, 167 K’s in 156 2/3 IP), RH Jason Hammel (10-11, 3.47 with Cubs and Athletics), RH Kyle Hendricks (7-2, 2.46), LH Travis Wood (8-13, 5.03).

Key reliever: RH Hector Rondon (4-4, 2.42, 29/33 saves).

Outlook: There is no question the roster is much improved compared to last year, but going from last place in the division to the postseason likely depends on the development of Chicago’s highly regarded stable of prospects, namely Soler and power-hitting third baseman Kris Bryant.

EAST DIVISION

Washington Nationals

2014: 96-66, first place, lost to San Francisco in Division Series.

Manager: Matt Williams (second season).

Projected lineup: CF Denard Span (.302, 5 HRs, 37 RBI, 31 steals, 39 2Bs, NL-high 184 hits), 3B Anthony Rendon (.287, 21, 83, 39 2Bs, NL-high 111 runs), RF Bryce Harper (.273, 13, 32), 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.280, 5, 38), LF Jayson Werth (.292, 16, 82), SS Ian Desmond (.255, 24, 91), C Wilson Ramos (.267, 11, 47), 2B Yunel Escobar (.258, 7, 39 with Rays).

Rotation: RH Max Scherzer (18-5, 3.15 ERA, 252 K’s with Tigers), RH Jordan Zimmermann (14-5, 2.66, no-hitter in regular-season finale), RH Stephen Strasburg (14-11, 3.14, 242 K’s), LH Gio Gonzalez (10-10, 3.57), RH Doug Fister (16-6, 2.41).

Key reliever: RH Drew Storen (2-1, 1.12, 11/14 saves).

Outlook: A popular pick to run away with the NL East, finally win a playoff series and take home the World Series trophy. The rotation already was the majors’ best last season, and general manager Mike Rizzo added 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner Scherzer via a $210 million contract.

Atlanta Braves

2014: 79-83, tied for second place.

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez (fifth season).

Projected lineup: CF Eric Young Jr. (.229, 1, 17, 30 SBs with Mets), 2B Jace Peterson (.113, 0, 0 in 27 games with Padres), RF Nick Markakis (.276, 14, 50, AL Gold Glove with Orioles), 1B Freddie Freeman (.288, 18, 78, .386 OBP), LF Jonny Gomes (.234, 6, 37 with Boston and Oakland), 3B Chris Johnson (.263, 10, 58, 159 K’s), C Christian Bethancourt (.248, 0, 9), SS Andrelton Simmons (.244, 7, 46, NL Gold Glove).

Rotation: RH Julio Teheran (14-13, 2.89, 2 shutouts), LH Alex Wood (11-11, 2.78), RH Shelby Miller (10-9, 3.74 with Cardinals), LH Mike Minor (6-12, 4.77, expected to start season on DL because of sore shoulder), RH Trevor Cahill (3-12, 5.61 in 32 games, 17 starts with Arizona), LH Wandy Rodriguez (0-2, 6.75 in 6 starts with Pirates) or LH Eric Stults (8-17, 4.30 with Padres) or RH Mike Foltynewicz (0-1, 5.30 with Astros).

Key reliever: RH Craig Kimbrel (0-3, 1.61, NL-leading 47/51 saves, 95 K’s in 612/3 IP).

Outlook: The Braves usually come into the season viewed as a playoff contender. Not this time. Just two years removed from an NL East title, they began a massive rebuilding job under new GM John Hart.

New York Mets

2014: 79-83, tied for second place.

Manager: Terry Collins (fifth season).

Projected lineup: CF Juan Lagares (.281, 4, 47, 13 SBs), RF Curtis Granderson (.227, 20, 66, team-high 141 K’s), 3B David Wright (.269, 8, 63), 1B Lucas Duda (.253, 30, 92, .349 OBP, 135 K’s), LF Michael Cuddyer (.332, 10, 31 in 49 games with Colorado), 2B Daniel Murphy (.289, 9, 57), C Travis d’Arnaud (.242, 13, 41), SS Wilmer Flores (.251, 6, 29 in 78 games).

Rotation: RH Bartolo Colon (15-13, 4.09, 2021/3 IP), RH Jacob deGrom (9-6, 2.69, 144 Ks, 1401/3 IP, 22 starts, NL Rookie of the Year), RH Matt Harvey (missed last season recovering from elbow surgery; 9-5, 2.27, 191 K’s, 31 BBs, 1781/3 IP in 2013), LH Jonathon Niese (9-11, 3.40), RH Dillon Gee (7-8, 4.00, 22 starts).

Key relievers: RH Jenrry Mejia (6-6, 3.65, 28/31 saves, 63 games, 7 starts).

Outlook: After years spent rebuilding, the Mets finally believe they have enough talent to contend for the playoffs.

Miami Marlins

2014: 77-85, fourth place.

Manager: Mike Redmond (third season).

Projected lineup: 2B Dee Gordon (.289, 2, 34, 92 runs, MLB-high 12 triples, MLB-high 64 SBs for Dodgers), LF Christian Yelich (.284, 9, 54, 21 SBs, Gold Glove), RF Giancarlo Stanton (.288, NL-high 37, 105, 94 walks, NL-high .555 SLG, .950 OPS), 1B Mike Morse (.279, 16, 61 for Giants), 3B Martin Prado (.282, 12, 58 for Diamondbacks and Yankees), CF Marcell Ozuna (.296, 23, 85), SS Adeiny Hechavarria (.276, 1, 34), C Jarrod Saltalamacchia (.220, 11, 44, 143 Ks).

Rotation: RH Henderson Alvarez (12-7, 2.65), RH Mat Latos (5-5, 3.25 for Reds), RH Dan Haren (13-11, 4.02 for Dodgers), RH Jarred Cosart (13-11, 3.69 for Astros and Marlins), RH Tom Koehler (10-10, 3.81).

Key relievers: RH Steve Cishek (4-5, 3.17, 39/43 saves).

Outlook: The Marlins have finished last in the NL in attendance nine times in the past 10 years. They don’t know whether a winning team will draw in their 3-year-old ballpark, because they haven’t had one, and this season could test the South Florida market as never before.

Philadelphia Phillies

2014: 73-89, fifth place.

Manager: Ryne Sandberg (second season).

Projected lineup: LF Ben Revere (.306, 2, 28, 49 SBs), CF Odubel Herrera (.315, 2, 59, 21 SBs in Texas’ minor-league system), 2B Chase Utley (.270, 11, 78, 36 2Bs), 1B Ryan Howard (.223, 23, 95), C Carlos Ruiz (.252, 6, 31), RF Grady Sizemore (.253, 3, 12), 3B Cody Asche (.252, 10, 46), SS Freddy Galvis (.176, 4, 12).

Rotation: LH Cole Hamels (9-9, 2.46), RH Aaron Harang (12-12, 3.57 with Atlanta), RH Jerome Williams (4-2, 2.83), RH David Buchanan (6-8, 3.75), RH Sean O’Sullivan (0-1, 6.39 ERA).

Key relievers: RH Jonathan Papelbon (2-3, 2.04, 39/43 saves).

Outlook: The rebuilding Phillies have their eye toward the future. They need to find out which young players will be part of the nucleus going forward. They also have a few past-their-prime veterans who could be on the move.