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In spring training, hope sprang eternal for all teams as well as season prop bettors. At the beginning of the 2012 season, we gave you a bet for every team with our world famous ball four-cast. With roughly 100 games left in the season, it’s time to check in on how those heavy hitting predictions are doing. In this segment, we look back on the NL East preseason predictions.

Philadelphia Phillies Cole Hamels over 14.5 wins
The Phillies winning the division had horrible odds in spring training, otherwise I might’ve been likely to bite. Luckily I switched up to Cole Hamels going over 14.5 wins in a contract year because currently Philadelphia sits in last place in the division. Hamels on the other hand has been sharp, going 9-3 and looking to get paid in the offseason. Hamels has about 20 starts left as long as he stays healthy and 6 wins is the magic number.

“Again, opportunity to post Cole Hamels wife = take it”

Miami Marlins to win NL East 4.5:1
Good odds, bad execution so far. The Marlins are a game over .500 in their inaugural season in Miami but that’s marginal in the East. I thought Miami would be chasing the Phillies for the division crown but it turns out Philadelphia is the only team they are ahead of in the standings. The Marlins are 7 back and have 3 teams to jump to take the title. While it’s doable, I’m also a realist. Game Over.

Washington Nationals Stephen Strasburg over 11.5 wins
The Nats are in first place in the East, thanks to a league best home ERA. I was never worried about the Strasburg bet being on pace to win this point in the season, it’s his durability issues and the tendency of the coaching staff to shut him down late in the season that caused me anxiety attacks. Two things are going good in this bet: 1) Strasburg  already has 8 wins on the season and 2) Washington won’t shut down their ace in a playoff run. 4 wins to go.

Atlanta Braves under 86.5 wins
I thought the Braves would have a down year but it turns out they’re the same old Braves. Even though Atlanta is in a surprising 2nd place in the East, upon closer look they’re still only on pace for 87 wins with a 34-29 record.

New York Mets under 71.5 wins
Now this is the real shocker, in my preseason predictions I had the Mets as the divison whipping boys (5 games above .500) said Johan Santana couldn’t hold up (1st no-hitter in club history) and proclaimed David Wright was on the downhill slide of his career (.350 average.) The Amazing Mets are on pace for 87 wins and I’ll probably lose this bet by August.

“Glad to oblige Mr. Santana”