The NL Central was expected to be won by the St. Louis Cardinals last year so you can imagine the surprise it was when the Cincinnati Reds came out on top. This year it's expected to be a two team race between the defending champs, the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers. So who wins it...
1. Milwaukee Brewers - The Brewers worked like mad men this offseason to turn this team into a contender by trading for pitchers Zack Greinke and Shawn Marcum without losing too much from their big league team. This is likely to be Prince Fielder's last season in Milwaukee but they'll still have a great core to build around after this one. This lineup is going to be stacked if key pieces like Fielder, Braun and Weeks stay healthy. Their big question is how starters 3-5 pitch after Greinke and Marcum, they'll be well enough to squeak out this division crown. Greinke will start the season on the DL due to a cracked rib.
Key additions: RHP Zack Greinke, RHP Shawn Marcum, SS Yuniesky Betancourt and OF Mark Kotsay.
Key losses: SS Alcides Escobar, RHP Trevor Hoffman and Prospect Brett Lawrie.
2. Cincinnati Reds - The Reds really didn't do much this offseason because they returned basically everyone of importance off of last year's Central winning team. That being said I expect it to be a close race between them and the Brewers with the team staying the healthiest winning this thing. The Reds have some key young pitchers and their stud first baseman who have battled injuries in their past. They can't afford to lose those guys if they want to win this. 6-8 in their lineup scare me and could be a reason why they falter but Edgar Renteria could come off the bench to try and boost the shortstop position.
Key additions: SS Edgar Renteria.
Key losses: SS Orlando Cabrera.
3. St. Louis Cardinals - Many people expected the Cardinals to contend this season for the Central but that was before they lost Adam Wainwright for the season. The rotation is scary after Chris Carpenter because you don't what you'll get on a constant basis not to mention Carpenter has his own his history of injuries. Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday won't be able to carry this team if the pitching fails them. Ultimately I don't think the Cardinals will have the fire power to finish any higher than third.
Key additions: OF/1B Lance Berkman and SS Ryan Theriot.
Key losses: RHP Adam Wainwright and SS Brendan Ryan.
4. Chicago Cubs - The lovable losers are going to have that going for them as the Cubs will continue their over 100 year drought of not winning the World Series. This is dysfunctional already coming out of spring training. Sure they cut Carlos Silva because of what he did but how long before Big Z blows his lid or Alfonso Soriano decides to take a game off. I don't see this Cubs team being any better than last year's team which is bad news for their fans.
Key additions: RHP Matt Garza, 1B Carlos Pena, RHP Kerry Wood and INF Blake DeWitt.
Key losses: RHP Carlos Silva(money-wise), RHP Braden Looper and OF/1B Xavier Nady.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates - The Pirates have had 18 consecutive losing seasons in a row and this year looks like they'll make it 19. Their rotation and bullpen are weak at best and the hurting Kevin Correia can't pitch every day for them. The Pirates have a lot of young talent like Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, Jose Tabata and Pedro Alvarez but those guys will struggle at times. Until ownership shows they're willing to spend to win this team won't get any better and could lose superstar McCutchen in a few years.
Key additions: RHP Kevin Correia and 1B Lyle Overbay .
Key losses: LHP Zach Duke, OF Lastings Milledge, 3B Andy LaRoche and UTL Delwyn Young.
6. Houston Astros - The Astros won 76 games last year which was mind blowing in itself but I don't see a repeat this year. The team is bad just about everywhere you look with the exception of Hunter Pence. Maybe Brandon Lyon can close games this year because he won't have the pressure on him to keep this team in contention. Better luck next year Houston.
Key additions: 2B/SS Clint Barmes, INF Bill Hall and LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith.
Key losses: RHP Matt Lindstrom and LHP Tim Byrdak.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment