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2016 bold predictions for NL: Harper wins Triple Crown, Cubs rule NL Central

If ESPN.com's MLB experts are correct, it'll be a banner year for Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper -- and for the Chicago Cubs. We begin our bold predictions for 2016 with a team-by-team look at the National League.

NL East

I've already pegged Freddie Freeman for a career year and Arodys Vizcaino for a breakout season as a closer. So that's accentuating the positive for a Braves team that won't be very good. Reflecting that, I'll predict that Julio Teheran will become MLB's first 20-game loser since Mike Maroth lost 21 games for the 2001 Tigers.