Part II: NL Central

Time to move on from the rough and tough NL East and we head into the middle of the country and into the weakest (and saddest) division in baseball.  It should be fun though, however bad the baseball might be.  This race is wide open with four or five teams that could honestly win this division.  The NL Central has many newcomers to the division and has some very important people spread throughout the six teams.  But I will discuss that later on.  First, the team-by-team breakdowns.

Let’s begin with the Cincinnati Reds.  This team continues to sputter along and I just don’t understand it.  They are at a very in between stage right now and are not making a move one-way or the other.  This team has some wonderful pieces in place.  Brandon Phillips is a stud at second base, Adam Dunn can hit 40 homers, Ryan Freel is a spark plug and Ken Griffey Jr. can still play a little bit.  Aaron Harang is a top-notch pitcher who has continued to stay under the radar somehow and Bronson Arroyo can win some games.  Chad Cordero is a very productive closer and they have a solid bullpen other than him.  But then they sit around and play people like Scott Hatteberg, Alex Gonzalez and Edwin Encarnacion.  I don’t get it, either sell high on your studs and get some prospects and more young players or you go out and spend the money and really make your team a contender.  I don’t get it; they have had this core of players for a few years now and have done nothing with it.  Boggles my mind, I guess that’s why they are the Cincinnati Reds.

The Pittsburgh Pirates fans are the kind of fans you have to just feel bad for.  When was the last time this was any good?  This team does have some nice pieces, kind of like the Reds, with Jason Bay, Tom Gorzelanny, Freddy Sanchez and Ian Snell.  This team has a great core of young kids to build around and they seem to be trying to do that.  At least the Pirates seem to have an idea of what their direction is.  This is not the Pirates year and who knows when it will be their time again but they are getting there.  Pirates’ fans, your team has a plan, remember that while you struggle along for at least one more summer.

Now we get to the four teams that could possibly win the division (I do believe the Reds have the talent to win the division but they need to make a move or two).  The Cardinals are up first.  This team is a long shot but they have Albert Pujols and I don’t ever like to count him out.  The Cards have a solid line-up with Pujols, Troy Glaus and Chris Duncan in the middle, they have Izturis and Kennedy at the top and Molina and Ankiel in the back of the line-up.  The problem with this team is their starting rotation.  Adam Wainwright, Brandon Looper, Joel Pineiro, Matt Clement (yes, that Matt Clement) and Anthony Reyes just don’t do it for me.  This team better hope Chris Carpenter (don’t forget about him) comes back ASAP and can re-gain his form.  That is the reason I won’t count them out, Albert Pujols and Chris Carpenter (if he can get healthy).

The Cubs are the reigning division champion but can they repeat?  They may have the best talent but that does not always win out.  Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez provide a big punch for this order.  They have some nice pieces around this big three too, Ryan Theriot and Kosuke Fukudome.  The Cubs also have, in my mind, the best rotation in this division.  Big Z, Ted Lilly, Rich Hill and Jason Marquis provide a very nice top four and the Cubs have three people battling for the five spot, Jon Lieber, Sean Marshall and Ryan Dempster (last years closer and he should be in the bullpen again).  The bullpen is a little thin this year and that is why I believe Dempster should be back in the bullpen, he would provide depth.  The Cubs may look the best on paper but that is not where games are won.

The Brewers came on strong last year and just missed out on the playoffs but they have brought their young core of talent this year and should be very tough.  The Brewers have a stacked line-up with Prince Fielder, JJ Hardy, Ryan Braun and Mike Cameron.  If Rickie Weeks and Bill Hall can improve from last season this line-up will be downright scary.  The rotation looks to be solid but is also very young.  Gallardo and Villanueva are top young pitchers and need to continue to improve.  If Ben Sheets can stay healthy that would go along way to helping the rotation stay consistent.  The bullpen is pretty good also.  The Brewers brought in Eric Gagne to replace Fransico Cordero and I think Gagne should be much better than his two months in Boston last year.  Their bullpen is deep with Turnbow, David Riske, Torres and Shouse.  This may be the year the Brewers are ready to take that big leap and win a division crown.

Now, for my sleeper.  No one is talking about them and I wasn’t either until I took a look at their roster earlier today.  The Houston Astros’ have brought in some very good players this year and brought back most of their core.  Lance Berkman, Kaz Matsui, Miguel Tejada, Ty Wigginton, Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence lead this very balanced line-up.  The key is the health of Roy Oswalt, as it always is.  This rotation is very thin but if Roy can stay healthy and be a CY Young candidate that will go a long way to helping keep things together.  Wandy Rodriguez, Brandon Backe and Woody Williams just are not going to scare people or cut it as the rest of the rotation.  This team needs to attempt to make a move to help the rotation.  The bullpen is also pretty thin but has a very good closer in Jose Valverde.  I didn’t think this team had anything but today when I looked at the roster the talent on this team surprised me.  I am just telling you, in a very bad division this team, granted they stay healthy, could make some noise.

Now, the all-mighty Predictions:

Best Newcomer-                      This is a tie between Miguel Tejada and Eric Gange.  Both must stay healthy and regain their previous form.  If that happens they will be huge contributors to their teams.

Most Important Player-           Roy Oswalt and Ben Sheets health.  If these two stay healthy this division is going to be wide open and very tough.

Best Manager-                       They love him in Chicago so far and he says all the right things.  Sweet Lou is looking to get the Cubs back to the playoffs.

Cy Young of Division-           One year late, Carlos Zambrano will be a stud.

MVP of Division-                      Brandon Phillips will have the best all around year but on the Reds you don’t get my vote.  I will take Ryan Braun but don’t be surprised if Prince Fielder, Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano or Albert Pujols is the MVP but I’ll take Braun.

Now, the most important stat and prediction, the Standings:

1. Brewers (88-74)

2. Cubs      (86-76)

3. Astros    (83-79)

4. Reds      (79-83)

5. Cards     (75-87)

6. Pirates    (68-94)

The Brewers will take the big step and win their first division in a long time.  Ben Sheets will stay healthy and the offense will be great.  It will be a very tight race all year and one injury could change everything in this division.  The talent is weak but the race will be great.

Until next time, I’m gone, like Yao Ming.  Again.