AJC beat writer David O'Brien picks the Braves to win the National League East, but what's his predicted order of finish for the rest of the division in 2007? Here it is, with commentary from Braves writer Carroll Rogers.

Associated Press (ENLARGE)

The Mets hope they can get by with three young starters until ace Pedro Martinez comes back around midseason.

NEW YORK METS 2006: 97-65 (1st place)

PROJECTED STARTERS: Carlos Delgado, Jose Valentin, Jose Reyes, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Moises Alou, Shawn Green, Paul Lo Duca

ROTATION: Tom Glavine, Orlando Hernandez, John Maine, Oliver Perez, Mike Pelfrey

SETUP MEN: Aaron Heilman, Scott Schoeneweis

CLOSER: Billy Wagner

THE SKINNY: Pelfrey, the top draft pick in 2005, appears to have beaten out Chan Ho Park for the fifth spot, though he won't be needed until April 16. Reliever Guillermo Mota will miss 50 games due to violation of MLB's drug policy, and Duaner Sanchez is out until August with a hairline fracture in his shoulder. Pedro Martinez (shoulder) isn't expected back until midseason.

PREDICTED FINISH: 2ND

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES 2006: 85-77 (2nd place)

PROJECTED STARTERS: Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Wes Helms, Aaron Rowand, Pat Burrell, Shane Victorino, Rod Barajas

ROTATION: Brett Myers, Cole Hamels, Freddy Garcia, Jamie Moyer, Adam Eaton

SETUP MEN: Ryan Madson, Antonio Alfonseca

CLOSER: Tom Gordon

THE SKINNY: Garcia, acquired from the White Sox, might start season on DL with biceps tightness. That would move Jon Lieber, opening-day starter in 2006, back to the rotation from the bullpen, where he begrudgingly went. At the end of camp, manager Charlie Manuel still was scratching his head about the bullpen. The Phillies are still hunting for setup help.

PREDICTED FINISH: 3RD

FLORIDA MARLINS 2006: 78-84 (4th place)

PROJECTED STARTERS: Mike Jacobs, Dan Uggla, Hanley Ramirez, Miguel Cabrera, Alex Sanchez, Josh Willingham, Jeremy Hermida, Miguel Olivo

ROTATION: Dontrelle Willis, Scott Olsen, Anibal Sanchez, Ricky Nolasco, Sergio Mitre

SETUP MEN: Taylor Tankersley, Kevin Gregg

CLOSER: Jorge Julio

THE SKINNY: New manager Fredi Gonzalez will go lefty, lefty with Willis as opening-day starter followed by Olsen. His motive: two starts apiece for top guys against division teams in April. His argument: You see back-to-back righties all the time. Marietta's Hermida might miss opener with injured kneecap. After brilliant September in 2005, he has been injury-plagued.

PREDICTED FINISH: 4TH

WASHINGTON NATIONALS 2006: 71-91 (5th place)

PROJECTED STARTERS: Dmitri Young, Felipe Lopez, Cristian Guzman, Ryan Zimmerman, Nook Logan, Ryan Church, Austin Kearns, Brian Schneider

ROTATION: John Patterson, Shawn Hill, Jason Simontacchi, Matt Chico, Tim Redding

SETUP MEN: Jon Rauch, Ryan Wagner

CLOSER: Chad Cordero

THE SKINNY: Nine pitchers have started this spring for a patchwork rotation, and it hasn't been pretty. Hill has been a bright spot with a 0.93 ERA in five spring starts. Young resurfaces in Washington after facing domestic violence charges last year and alcohol rehab. He was competing with Travis Lee at first base to replace injured Nick Johnson.

PREDICTED FINISH: 5TH

CRYSTAL BALL

Braves beat writer David O'Brien's projections:

INDIVIDUAL AWARD WINNERS

NL CY YOUNG AWARD: Roy Oswalt, Astros

AL CY YOUNG AWARD: Johan Santana, Twins

NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Kevin Kouzmanoff, Padres

AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox

NL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Albert Pujols, Cardinals

AL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Derek Jeter, Yankees

NL HOME RUN LEADER: Ryan Howard, Phillies

AL HOME RUN LEADER: Jim Thome, White Sox

POSTSEASON PLAY

WILD-CARD WINNERS: NL: Mets; AL: Red Sox

NLCS: Dodgers over Mets

ALCS: Tigers over Yankees

WORLD SERIES: Tigers over Dodgers