New rivalry emerges

During one of the Chicago Cubs' broadcast in the season's first week, there was a poll asking who the Cubs' biggest "new" rival is.

The majority said the Milwaukee Brewers.

Now that we have that established, there is another big-stage-worthy rivalry in the making in the Senior Circuit -- the Mets and Phillies.

While this one dates back further than the Brewers-Cubs battles, it's has recently grown in stature.

Given the Mets' epic collapse a year ago and players like Jimmy Rollins, David Wright and Carlos Beltran, the spotlight was sure to be on Shea Stadium this week. Throw in the alleged quote about the Phillies wanting a brawl and it's clear to see these teams will porbably be in the mix down to the last days of September again. Throw in the Atlanta Braves and we may see the best race in baseball come out of the NL East.