NL East

For Philadelphia Phillies' pitcher Matt Anderson, being in Clearwater, Florida is a blessing.

A former flamethrower on the hill, arm injuries derailed Anderson's career before it even began. The former first overall draft pick was limited to far fewer appearances with the Detroit Tigers and Colorado Rockies than many would have expected when he was still a top prospect—long before he was considered one of the biggest draft busts of all time.

The New York Mets will try to put together a turnaround year in 2011. After battling another season of heavy injuries, the Mets will try to at least hit .500, but they will have to play very hard, and even acquire some luck. The Mets will probably go with an Opening Day Roster that looks somewhat like this:

1. Jose Reyes

2. Angel Pagan

3. David Wright

4. Jason Bay

5. Carlos Beltran

6. Ike Davis

7. Ronnie Paulino/Josh Thole

8. Luis Castillo

9. Mike Pelfrey

The Philadelphia Phillies may have stolen the show from the Boston Red Sox this offseason with the reacquisition of left-handed pitcher Cliff Lee—giving them what many think could be the best starting rotation in Major League history.

While that will have to be seen, some people are overlooking the fact that the Phillies lost their best right-handed power hitter in Jayson Werth.

The loss hurts because of what he brings all around on the field, but also gives the Phillies a weakness—power from the right side.

The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to be the class of the National League in 2011. 

With Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt, the Phillies have perhaps the most fearsome pitching rotation, on paper, in the modern baseball era.

Philadelphia has been installed as 13-to-4 favorites to win the World Series. The Phillies are overwhelming 1-to-4 favorites to take the National League pennant. 

The over/under on their win total has been placed at 96, which is also the best mark for any team in the league in the preseason. 

In the most anticipated spring training in Phillies' history, the Phightins opened up Grapefruit League play Saturday and Sunday against the Yankees.

Let's take a look at what we've learned so far...

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Spring training games offer much for the baseball world.  They offer knowledge; they offer glimpses of the upcoming season; they offer looks at minor league up-and-comers; and they offer first looks at those recovering from injury.  

With both the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues underway, Spring Training has officially begun. As pitchers fine-tune their command and overall "stuff" and hitters try to refine their swing, the rest of us can only look on in awe, now waiting for the games that actually count in eager anticipation. However, there are a select few who are looking forward.

Willie, Mickey and the Duke.

With the passing of Duke Snider, now only Willie Mays survives from the great triumvirate that patrolled center field in New York in the 1950s—and the Boys of Summer are down a man.

Will the New York Mets toss a no-hitter in 2011? No? How about slugging a walk-off grand slam, a steal of home, a triple play or back-to-back-to-back homers?

Spring training games got underway this weekend and that means that Opening Day is just a month away.

With that in mind, here are 20 single-game accomplishments up for grabs in 2011.

Some, like a complete game or a multi-home run outing, are sure bets. Others, like hitting for the cycle are less likely, but still very much possible.

The New York Mets got their spring training schedule under way this weekend with an intra-squad game Friday, a home-and-home series with Atlanta and a split-squad game with the University of Michigan Wolverines.

Chris Young made his case for a spot in the starting rotation and Pedro Beato and Dillon Gee both turned in solid performances on the mound. Oliver Perez was his usual wild self and further inched his way out of the club.

Jordany Valdespin, Chin-lung Hu and Mike Nickeas all showed promising signs, and Willie Harris proved he isn't just a Met killer.