plus and minus

Cliff Lee’s surprising — shocking? — decision to return to Philadelphia is a blow to the Atlanta Braves’ hopes of winning the National League East in 2011. The Phillies’ arsenal of arms is now historically great. Still, former Meridian Community College star Lee, Roy Halladay and Holmes CC alumnus Roy Oswalt have things to prove as postseason pitchers. None has a World Series ring yet. And the Phillies’ offense took a big hit with the loss of Jayson Werth, who made the surprising — shocking? — decision to sign with Washington. With all due respect to Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Shane Victorino, Werth was the scariest hitter in Philly’s lineup last season. He made the clutch hit almost seem routine. The Braves’ attack will be better with Dan Uggla, though their defense may suffer. And Atlanta’s got pitching, too. The NL East will be a war.