The National League presents different problems than the junior circuit because there are no powerhouse teams other than possibly the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves are surprising everyone with their offense. Rafael Furcal, Marcus Giles, Chipper Jones, Javy Lopez, Andruw Jones, and my MVP leader at the quarter pole, Gary Sheffield are simply crushing the ball every night.

Greg Maddux is still shakey, but Mike Hampton and Russ Ortiz have been solid and have been there before, so they give Bobby Cox a decent starter three of the five nights in the rotation. Horacio Ramirez has had his moments, too.

John Smoltz is automatic with help from Roberto Hernandez who is decent setting Smoltzie up.

The rest of the NL follows below.The Phillies are stalking the field, but have yet to hit with any regular authority. Jim Thome has been OK, Pat Burrell not so hot, and the rest of the Phillie offense just chugging along, but not to worry they are in good shape if someone helps them knock off the Braves once in awhile.

Vincente Padilla has been a disappointment and looks out of shape. Kevin Millwood is a legit Cy Young candidate, while Randy Wolf is coming into his own rapidly. Brett Myers is learning slowly how to pitch in the majors.

The Phils will be there, but need help beating the Braves along the way.

The Expos cannot be summarily dismissed. Zach Day, Javier Vazquez, Tomo Ohka, and Livan Hernandez give Frank Robinson’s team a chance every game. Vladimir Guerrero needs to get very hot for this team to stay close to Atlanta, but like Toronto there is something I like about this team other than the fact they also play in Canada. I think it’s the speed, as they say, speed doesn’t go on vacation.

The Mets and the Marlins are fighting it out for last in the East. They will trade some decent players very soon ( Alomar and Lowell for openers).

The Cubs have some power pitching which is holding up at least through May. I expect Chicago to stay in the race and fight it out with Houston and St. Louis.

Can Cincinnati stay with them? Probably not because they just don’t have the starters although Danny Graves is a nice surprise. The Reds can score some runs and will make the summer interesting by blasting homers like the 1956 Reds who hit 221 homers (tying the ’47 Giants major league record).

Once Houston starts clicking on the mound and also at the dish, watch out. St. Louis can hit and will add bull pen help. This organization gets the players it needs, money seems plentiful.

So I think these three contenders will be major players in the market in late July. Armando Benitez may become a Cardinal before too long.

The Giants will continue to fight it out with LA and Arizona. SF needs major bull pen help and possibly another arm in the rotation. It’s tough to win with three pitchers going six innings and no more plus two others Reuter and Schmidt who may or may not take you beyond the seventh inning consistently. The Giants pitching will wear down, no doubt about it.

Arizona will trade for offense. Kim is the bait or one of the young pitchers. I don’t think they can wait much longer because the offense is without any significant power and help must be added now.

The Dodgers are ecstatic with Kevin Brown who is looking like his old self. LA’s starters are solid and the bull pen very good with Gagne closing. Now, if Maury Wills was at short and Ron Fairly and Willie Davis in the line up, then they could win the West. You get the idea, they aren’t going to make it with Fred McGriff hitting fourth. I hate to say it, but Carl Everett may be a missing piece of the puzzle for this team.

Colorado and San Diego have nice congenial managers and lousy teams, although Sean Burroughs is looking like he may hit this year. Anyone want Colorado’s Gabe Kapler?

So, who wins the pennant? If I had to pick one team I’d say the Braves, but believe me it may not be Atlanta. If the Cubs get into the playoffs they could win the whole thing in the NL. So could the Dodgers or the Giants or the Phillies, you get the idea, one team will get hot in October and it usually invloves pitching, but this time without a truly dominant staff follow the team that hits the best in September.

With one quarter of the season gone there are good races in each league. Trading in July may make the difference because every team needs something.

I like that.