NL East, 3.0: The division is no sure thing for the Mets

Let's check back in on what the SportsLine Projection Model says about the National League East, with an eye toward how things have changed since last time.

After all, spring training is winding down and Opening Day is in the offing. So it's time for a reset ...

Washington Nationals (94.9-67.1): The Nats pick up almost a full projected win since last time and solidify their position heading into the regular season.

They've enjoyed a relatively healthy spring, and best of all Anthony Rendon has been healthy and crushing the ball.

A bounceback season from Rendon, who finished fifth in the NL MVP balloting in 2014, is vital to the Nats' hopes this year.

Lucas Giolito, the top pitching prospect in all of baseball, as expected will open the season in the minors, but don't be surprised if he's summoned to Washington before too long. He could stabilize the back of the rotation in short order.

Westgate has the Nats' O/U at 88.5 wins, and I'd call the over a "soft" play.

New York Mets (90.7-71.3): The Mets have held steady since last time, but they still obviously trail the Nats in the eyes of SportsLine.

So why be bearish on the reigning National League champs, at least insofar as winning the division is concerned?

Six of the lineup regulars are over age 30. More generally, this is a team carried by a young rotation, and nothing in baseball is more volatile -- in terms of both health and performance -- than young pitching.

Yes, the Mets are absolutely contenders and have a real shot at returning to the World Series. Don't assume the East is theirs, though.

Miami Marlins (74.8-87.2): Giancarlo Stanton had knee soreness earlier in camp, but he's recovered (and recently hit a home run out of the Marlins' spring training facility).

That's key because a healthy Stanton is obviously key for the Marlins in 2016. Pair him with the superlative Jose Fernandez and breakout candidate Christian Yelich, and you've got a strong core.

The Marlins are pretty much where they were last time, and I continue to think SportsLine is too pessimistic about their 2016 outlook.

Westgate puts the O/U at 80 wins, and I'd actually think about taking the over. Health up and down the roster means this team contends.

Philadelphia Phillies (73.6-88.4): Jeremy Hellickson will be the Phils' Opening Day starter, which tells you all you need to know about their hopes for contention.

Maikel Franco has eight homers in 19 spring games. Yes, it's spring training, but those numbers have been put up against solid competition by spring standards.

Look at some of the young talent in place and on the way -- Franco, Aaron Nola, J.P. Crawford, Nick Williams, Jorge Alfaro, Odubel Herrera, Jake Thompson, Mark Appel -- and it's easy to see why SportsLine thinks the Phillies will be bad in 2016 but not awful.

Take the over on Westgate's Phillies O/U of 65.5 wins.

Atlanta Braves (61.7-100.3): The Braves in essence stay where they were last time.

This still puts them in line for the worst record in baseball, 100 losses and, accordingly, top overall pick of the 2017 draft.

Given that the Braves are in the midst of a deep rebuild, that's probably fine with them.

Freddie Freeman had some wrist soreness earlier this spring, but otherwise he's been healthy and highly effective at the plate. Bounce-back candidate Julio Teheran has pitched well in camp.

Enough positives, though: Yes, this is probably the worst team in baseball.