NL's

With Albert Pujols now in Los Angeles, reigning NL MVP Ryan Braun facing the possibility of a 50-game suspension for an alleged drug violation and Philadelphia's Ryan Howard recovering from an Achilles tendon injury, four of the NL's top 10 home-run hitters last season may be absent to start the year.

Coast to Coast: Big East Adds Navy for Football Daniel Barbarisi 2012

Stargell was the NL's co-MVP, as well as the MVP of the NLCS and the World Series, despite being limited to 424 at-bats by age and injuries.

World Series-Winning Manager Dies AP 2011

The NL's top offense also stalled in three playoff games, managing just 11 hits.

Phillies Sweep Reds, Advance To NLCS AP 2010

The Rockies 'Huston Street has been among the NL's best closers in 2009, converting 35 of 37 save chances.

What to watch for in Rockies-Phillies series 2009

The NL's top offense also stalled in three playoff games, managing just 11 hits.

Phillies Sweep Reds, Advance To NLCS AP 2010

With the Braves on track to earn the NL's wild-card berth—they held a 4-1/2-game lead over the Cardinals entering Tuesday—Atlanta's playoff opponents will need to grab a lead early, lest they have to overcome Kimbrel and teammate Jonny Venters 2.48 FIP in the late innings.

The Kid Who Ate Eckersley's Lunch 2011

The Cubs and Phillies had been the NL's worst two teams in 1961.

A Team for The Ages (Sort of) Joshua Robinson 2011

Also, keep in mind the Phillies, as the NL's top regular-season team, get to pick which Division Series format they wants, and would likely pick the one with the extra off day between Games 1 and 2, allowing them to use only three starting pitchers (on full rest) in the first round.

The surprising San Francisco Giants Dave Sheinin 2010

Padres teammate Adrian Gonzalez threatened to get Bell off the hook when he drew a two-out walk in the eighth, the NL's first baserunner since two outs in the second inning.

Pitching and defense give AL another All-Star Game victory 2009

The Phillies, the NL's best road team, swept both games at Coors Field, where the wild-card Rockies went 44-17 under Tracy's tutelage.

Phils rally past Rox to advance to NLCS vs. Dodgers 2009