The National League Central is complicated place where all the teams seem to have a chance to win the division, except the Pirates. You have the star crossed franchise, the team with the MVP and perhaps best player in the league, and a couple of up and coming franchises who have built through the minor leagues but lose big name players to the Yankees.
Chicago Cubs
On paper one of the most staked team in the majors and a favourite to win not only the NL Central, but the World Series. At the corners they start Aramis Ramirez and Derek Lee who have the potential to combine for 60 homers. Although they are a little thin up the middle, depth and experience should get them through the season. An extremely talented outfield is led by left fielder Alfonso Soriano and Fukodome. Fukodome needs to have a good start to the season to ensure that he stays manager Lou Pinella's good books. The pitching staff is strong led by Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Rich Harden and Ryan Dempster. Any team would certainly take those four starters. The bullpen is adequate as long as closer Carlos Marmol doesn't have to face anyone from the Netherlands. Look for the Cubs to win 100 games this season.
St. Louis Cardinals
Although it was the Brewers who made a push last year and won the wild card, look for the Cards to bounce back and make that same move this year. A solid, but not spectacular pitching staff will keep them in games. Led by Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter. They show their age in the 5th starter spot with Joel Pineiro. In the bullpen, the closer role is still up for grabs, but will probably go to Chris Perez. The offense is where this team should really shine. Automatic All-Star and MVP candidate Albert Pujols will lead the way and will have protection in Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick. Ludwick could be the x-factor as he will need the same type of season as last year (37 hr, 113 rbi and .299 avr) for the Cards to challenge in the NL Central.
Milwaukee Brewers
Last year the Brew Crew took a step forward and took the NL wild card. Although they are now without ace CC Sabathia, the pitching staff is decent with everyone former Blue Jay - Dave Bush, Jeff Suppan and Brandon Looper and youngster Yovani Gallardo who started 4 games for the Brewers last year, got no decisions, but had a 1.88 era and had 20 K's in 24 innings of work. The closer role is solid with Trevor Hoffman. The line-up is strong with Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder as the heavy hitters. Corey Hart has the energy and ability to hit 20 hr and 100 rbi this season as well as swipe 20 to 30 bases. Catcher Jason Kendall will provide veteran leadership behind the plate for the pitching staff. The Brewers will again be in the mix for the NL wild card and if they can get Billy Brewer off his perch enough times it just might happen for them.
Houston Astros
It has now been a few years since the "Killer B's" of Biggio and Bagwell owned the NL Central, but a new breed of players are starting to make an impact in Minute Maid Park. Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee will own the OF, while the infield will certainly be able to do some damage with Geoff Blum/Aaron Boone platoon, Miguel Tejada, Kaz Matsui and Lance Berkman around the horn. The question is at catcher where any one of 3 players could start. The pitching staff is pretty thin behind ace Roy Oswalt. Brandon Backe and Mike Hampton will try and get wins at the back end of the rotation. Closer Jose Valverde will try and duplicate his 44 save season from last year. The Astros are getting closer to the top, but will still need to make some moves behind the plate and get some pitching help to compete with the Cubbies and Cards.
Cincinnati Reds
These are your parents Big Red Machine. Although the Reds have some very good starting pitching in Aaron Harang, Edinson Volquez, and Bronson Arroyo. Closer Francisco Cordero is a solid closer for the Reds when they are able to get the game to him. The bats and speed are there in certain spots. Joey Votto and Jay Bruce will lead the team in all offensive categories. The rest of the line-up is made up of veterans trying to get one last hurrah. If the veteran presence doesn't produce wins they should at least provide leadership for the young team the Reds are building.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Nothing has gone right for the Pirates the last couple of seasons. There young talent hasn't developed and being a small market team they can't spend like the Cubs to keep up in the arms race. The one thing they have going for them this year is Eric Hinske. Does that say enough about the future of the 2009 Pirates? Other than Hinske they have Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez who are a very good double play combo. With Adam Laroche at first, the infield can get on base and cause problems for opposing pitchers, unfortunately it just won't be enough and the Pirates might be out of contention before April is over.
Chicago Cubs
On paper one of the most staked team in the majors and a favourite to win not only the NL Central, but the World Series. At the corners they start Aramis Ramirez and Derek Lee who have the potential to combine for 60 homers. Although they are a little thin up the middle, depth and experience should get them through the season. An extremely talented outfield is led by left fielder Alfonso Soriano and Fukodome. Fukodome needs to have a good start to the season to ensure that he stays manager Lou Pinella's good books. The pitching staff is strong led by Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Rich Harden and Ryan Dempster. Any team would certainly take those four starters. The bullpen is adequate as long as closer Carlos Marmol doesn't have to face anyone from the Netherlands. Look for the Cubs to win 100 games this season.
St. Louis Cardinals
Although it was the Brewers who made a push last year and won the wild card, look for the Cards to bounce back and make that same move this year. A solid, but not spectacular pitching staff will keep them in games. Led by Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter. They show their age in the 5th starter spot with Joel Pineiro. In the bullpen, the closer role is still up for grabs, but will probably go to Chris Perez. The offense is where this team should really shine. Automatic All-Star and MVP candidate Albert Pujols will lead the way and will have protection in Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick. Ludwick could be the x-factor as he will need the same type of season as last year (37 hr, 113 rbi and .299 avr) for the Cards to challenge in the NL Central.
Milwaukee Brewers
Last year the Brew Crew took a step forward and took the NL wild card. Although they are now without ace CC Sabathia, the pitching staff is decent with everyone former Blue Jay - Dave Bush, Jeff Suppan and Brandon Looper and youngster Yovani Gallardo who started 4 games for the Brewers last year, got no decisions, but had a 1.88 era and had 20 K's in 24 innings of work. The closer role is solid with Trevor Hoffman. The line-up is strong with Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder as the heavy hitters. Corey Hart has the energy and ability to hit 20 hr and 100 rbi this season as well as swipe 20 to 30 bases. Catcher Jason Kendall will provide veteran leadership behind the plate for the pitching staff. The Brewers will again be in the mix for the NL wild card and if they can get Billy Brewer off his perch enough times it just might happen for them.
Houston Astros
It has now been a few years since the "Killer B's" of Biggio and Bagwell owned the NL Central, but a new breed of players are starting to make an impact in Minute Maid Park. Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee will own the OF, while the infield will certainly be able to do some damage with Geoff Blum/Aaron Boone platoon, Miguel Tejada, Kaz Matsui and Lance Berkman around the horn. The question is at catcher where any one of 3 players could start. The pitching staff is pretty thin behind ace Roy Oswalt. Brandon Backe and Mike Hampton will try and get wins at the back end of the rotation. Closer Jose Valverde will try and duplicate his 44 save season from last year. The Astros are getting closer to the top, but will still need to make some moves behind the plate and get some pitching help to compete with the Cubbies and Cards.
Cincinnati Reds
These are your parents Big Red Machine. Although the Reds have some very good starting pitching in Aaron Harang, Edinson Volquez, and Bronson Arroyo. Closer Francisco Cordero is a solid closer for the Reds when they are able to get the game to him. The bats and speed are there in certain spots. Joey Votto and Jay Bruce will lead the team in all offensive categories. The rest of the line-up is made up of veterans trying to get one last hurrah. If the veteran presence doesn't produce wins they should at least provide leadership for the young team the Reds are building.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Nothing has gone right for the Pirates the last couple of seasons. There young talent hasn't developed and being a small market team they can't spend like the Cubs to keep up in the arms race. The one thing they have going for them this year is Eric Hinske. Does that say enough about the future of the 2009 Pirates? Other than Hinske they have Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez who are a very good double play combo. With Adam Laroche at first, the infield can get on base and cause problems for opposing pitchers, unfortunately it just won't be enough and the Pirates might be out of contention before April is over.
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