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I took a look at the NL East last, now it’s time to take a look at a much weaker NL Central. Not quite as much parity in this division, but considering there are 6 teams, there could be some surprise finishes. Now, i’m a Pirates fan, so lets hope they can weasel their way into a top 3 spot for the first time in ages. And as I stated before in part 1, I think the Mets will win the wild card, and if they don’t it will be the Phillies, leaving only 1 playoff spot for the 6 teams in the Central. Who will emerge as the NL Central champion?

 

Chicago Cubs

 

Winners of the division last year, they boast just as good if not a better lineup as well as starting rotation. The bullpen is solid with Chad Gaudin, Kevin Gregg and Carlos Marmol (possibly the best setup man in the game).

 

The rotation also has immense amounts of potential, and if they fail to be superb, they will be average at worse. Z, Carlos Zambrano will be the opening day starter. He will be followed by an ace in the making in Ryan Dempster, a consistent pitcher in Ted Lilly, and a former ace in Rich Harden. In a 7 game series, if Harden is healthy this would be a deadly rotation to face. Sean Marshall is no pushover as the 5th starter either.

 

The lineup is just as good as last year. Soto, Derek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano, and Fukudome bring speed and power back this year. Fukudome is the biggest question mark, but with the addition of an inconsistent Milton Bradley (no not the board game, the hot head), Fukudome is their 6th best hitter. Not much to worry about there.

 

If Harden and Bradley can stay healthy, there is no stopping this club from breaking the longest World Series drought in baseball.

 

Cincinnati Reds

 

This team finished 2nd to last in the standing last year only in front of the abysmal Pittsburgh Pirates. They have lost a power bat in Adam Dunn this offseason as well. Can they improve?

 

I think they will be a little bit on the decline, but not by much. Their rotation has potential to win some games without offense, and their offense has potential to win some games without pitching, but I don’t see the 2 clicking together into a playoff contender.

 

The pitching is young, very young, with Harang leading 2nd year guys Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto. Arroyo, Owings, and Bailey are all also young and can be studs, but mostly likely won’t. Arroyo has seen that boat sail, and Bailey still has a year or 2 before he matures. Same can be said about Cueto and his inconsistencies.

 

The bullpen is weak with Fransisco Cordero as the closer. The lineup, like the pitching staff is young but has potential. Votto, Bruce and Phillips can be the best at their position, but the team around them is a bunch of question marks. Taveras, Encarnacion, Alex Gonzalez, and Ramon Hernandez bring some pop to the lineup, but their averages are nothing to look twice at.

 

Houston Astros

 

The fact that Pudge is the backstop for this team is telling. I can see this team slipping from their 3rd place finish last year. Their whole team is full of aging former all stars. We should see dips in all of the production across the board.

 

Roy Oswalt is their only legitimate pitcher, unless you count Wandy Rodriguez at home. Jose Valverde is the closer, their bullpen has no depth beyond that. Their lineup is full of players that have done it before, but are now on the way down.

 

Ivan Pudge Rodriguez and Miguel Tejada are way past their prime and are a part of the steroid scandals. Berkman is a beast but he’s not getting any younger either. Pence and Bourn are young, but have been on and off. Carlos Lee is their only staple and even he saw a bit of a drop off last year. 

 

 

The all time saves leader Trevor Hoffman is the anchor of the bullpen. And really the only threat from the starting rotation is Yovani Gallardo, who I think will put up great numbers.

 

Most of the lineup is back, with Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun leading the charge. Kendall, Weeks, JJ Hardy, Bill Hall, Mike Cameron, and Corey Hart make this a decent lineup in the Central. But someone remind me why this team is carrying 4 catchers again?

 

Pittsburgh Pirates

 

Ah, my favorite team. I miss those days of Barry Bonds (the skinny version), Bobby Bonilla and Andy Van Slyke. Well, back to reality. Last place last year, and not looking much better in the majors this year. Although, their AAA outfielders might be the best out there.

 

The Bucs pen is one that won’t falter, when they get the opportunity that is. Yates and Grabow will lead into the 9th where Matt Capps should be 1 of the best closers again this year. The rotation is full of talent, but just like the other rotations mentioned so far (minus the Cubbies), it is full of ‘what ifs’. Malholm is solid, followed by potential ace Ian Snell, Duke, Ohlendorf, Dumatrait, and/or Karstens.

 

The lineup is weak once again. Doumit at catcher and McClouth in the outfield are studs. We’re still awaiting the debut of McCutchen from AAA to round out the outfield with McClouth and Brandon Moss with Steve Pearce waiting in the wings. This should be one of the best outfields in the near future in the NL.

 

Aside from that, Freddy Sanchez bring consistency and leadership, while Andy LaRoche is a stud in the making. Unfortunately, this lineup is set to do well in 2011 or 2012, not now. Eric Hinske is also a sleeper as he produced Jay Bruce like numbers last year, but is obviously not as reliable and will have to pass Morgan in the LF depth chart.

 

St. Louis Cardinals

 

The Cardinals contended with the bats of the Astros, and the star studded teams of the Brew crew and Cubbies last year, all without their ace Chris Carpenter. They did it with grit, the same grit that won them a recent World Series. They look for players with heart like Jim Edmonds and David Eckstein. How much heart do they have this year?

 

When I think heart, I think Rick Ankiel. When I think MVP, I think Albert Pujols. These 2 will lead a lineup that consists of Ryan Ludwick, Yadier Molina, Khalil Greene, Troy Glaus, and the very underrated Skip Schumaker. In fact, this whole team may be underrated and underestimated till September.

 

The Cards also get their ace back in Chris Carpenter (who I hate so much), while keeping an ace in the making in Adam Wainwright. Todd Wellenmeyer also has the potential to be an ace. Kyle Lohse and Joel Pineiro round out a very dangerous rotation that could contend with the Cubs. 

 

Projected Finish

Cubs

Cardinals

Brewers

Reds

Pirates

Astros

 

While the Cardinals can contend with the Cubs and will keep it very close, the difference top to bottom in the lineups tells me that Cubs will repeat. The Cardinals will also contend with the Mets and Phillies for the wild card, and if I had to pick a team to pass 1 of the powerhouses, I would go with St. Louis. Unfortunately, I think they will come up just short.

 

 

As for the Brewers and Reds, they lack a few things. The Brewers a legit pitching staff, and the Reds experience. This will have them a few games back of the Cards, each contending for 3rd right around .500. The Pirates will improve but still haven’t caught up with the rest of the division. And the Astros, well, like their ‘studs’ they’re on the way down.