The Mets won the National League Title last year, but they’ll have a much more difficult time defending that title this coming year.

The New York Times says, “The Phillies upgraded their rotation. The Braves bolstered their bullpen. The Marlins still have loads of young pitching.”

The Mets haven’t been to the World Series since 2000. What’s their true chances of being the winner this year?

According to a recent computer analysis, very good. The Player Empirical Comparison and Optimization Test Algorithm or PECOTA analyzed the projected player statistics, calculated runs and scores for all of the teams, and then decided what the teams’s records will be. In this case, the PECOTA calculated that the Mets will be in first place in the National League East. Second place will be the Braves, and third place will be the Phillies.

With the Mets Rotation of Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez, John Maine, Oliver Perez, and Orlando Hernandez, they are the team to beat in the league. This is good news for NY fans, hoping that one of their teams makes it to the World Series this year. So make sure that you buy your Mets tickets now, and be ready for a season of high expectations.