(1) Mets
(2) Cubs *(and its a lot closer the the NLCS made it look)
(3) Diamondbacks
Fact that I'm obviously a Mets fan aside, the young starting pitchers they have on board make them the obvious choice here. The WS loss still stings but for the first time in a long time I'm optimistic about next season with very few reservations.
Considering the Mets SWEPT the Cubs in 4 games, and the Diamondbacks finished below .500 and third in their Division....
Met's also beat the Dodgers (who won the NL West) in 5 games and head-to-head in the regular season won 5 out of 7 vs AZ. Having said that the Diamondbacks have a promising team and I expect they'll be improved next year.
You left the correct answer "Cardinals" out of your poll.
Frankly I thought that series was going to go the other way myself and while I expected to beat LA, I thought the winner of Cubs/Cards was going to rip the Met's a new one in short order.
Cards starting pitching was really exposed.