The NL Central saw a surprise a top the division last year as the Cincinnati Reds out lasted the St. Louis Cardinals to win the division. The Reds Joey Votto was named MVP of the National League. This year before the season began the Cardinals were struck with the news that their ace, Adam Wainwright, will be undergoing tommy john surgery and be out for the year also contract talks with Albert Pujols was going on before spring training started. The Chicago Cubs bring in a new manager in Mike Quade and the Milwaukee Brewers bring in Zach Greinke to help out the rotation. With all of these moves who will be number 1?
1. St. Louis Cardinals- I did feel way more secure about this pick when Wainwright was still planning on playing this year but it is just so hard to pick against a team run by Tony LaRussa and have the best player in baseball playing for that team. During spring training Cris Carpenter was injured during a game and could miss all of spring training. They signed Lance Berkman and Ryan Theriot to a deal in the off-season to solidify the short-stop and outfield but these are not any major up-grades. The Bullpen is a big question mark as Jason Motte and Ryan Franklin lead the charge and will be counted on a lot this year. The player to watch is Matt Holiday. Last year Holliday came over and did what he was suppose to and that was to protect Albert Pujols in the line-up and he did a heck of job and if the Cardinals want to reclaim the division title he must do the same this year.
2. Cincinnati Reds- The Reds bring everyone back from last year’s division championship squad, so you would think that they would win the division again. Last year Joey Votto had a “break-out” year and was able to win the MVP of National League but that was the first year he had ever produce the numbers he did, so his production will probably decline from last year still. They have a great young pitching staff starting off with Edison Volquez and Mike Leake. Both of these guys must improve on a big curve if they want to finish here at number two and challenge for the wild-card spot. The player to watch will be old man Rolen at third base. Scott Rolen is not doubt the leader of this ball club and a major reason why they won the division last year but how far down will his production be since he is getting up there on age. If he has a good year then the Reds might upset teams again and be in the play-offs for the second year in a row.
3. Milwaukee Brewers- Every year it seems like the Brewers is everyone’s surprise team that might finally do something and contend for the division crown, and for most people this year is no different but for me I’m not buying it. They probably did get the second best pitcher in the off-season Zach Greinke but the pitching is still suspect at best but the 7th, 8th, 9th inning guys will be pretty tough if they could get to them with Saito, Hawkins, and Axford. They have hitting with Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder but who else are you going to rely on? Corey Hart? Rickie Weeks? Those names don’t wow at all. So the hitting needs to come around if this team is serious about contending. The player to watch would be third baseman Corey McGehee. If he is able to continue his numbers and hit and field with consistency then the Brewers should be able to be in playoff talk the entire season.
4 .Chicago Cubs- On the paper the Cubs look like a very good team but games are not played on paper. The Cubs last year led the majors in errors or were right at the top most of the year and giving teams extra outs is never a good thing. Shortstop Starlin Castro is the best young prospect at his position and should have a great year but he still needs to work on his glove more and less on hitting. They traded for Matt Garza in the off-season with the Tampa Bay Rays but they should have sought after another pitcher. Garza is good but as a solid number two, its debateable. Alfonso Soriano has been in left field for four seasons now going onto his fifth but has yet to produce the numbers he use to with the Washington Nationals and the Texas Rangers. The club can not do anything until he gets it together. But the player to watch out for is Aramis Ramirez who was suppose to be an every year all-star third baseman but since coming to Chicago from Pittsburgh has not really been able to “do his thing.” If he cuts down on his errors the Cubs should be in great shape to finish somewhere in the top 4 of the Wildcard race.
5. Houston Astros- O my! Where do I begin with this team who traded their best pitcher in Roy Oswalt and player Lance Berkman last year so younger players can get playing time. This year is a young inexperience team that still has a couple of years left before can be taking seriously. Carlos Lee is the best hitter on the team but he probably wont be on the team much during the season since they are going to be willing to trade him for more prospects. Hunter Pence is a nice outfielder but the arm is weak just like his bat but he can run like a deer to catch balls in the air. The player to watch will be pitcher Wandy Rodriguez. He is going to be their ace for many a year and should continue to up his game as he goes further along this season. The Astros are still a couple of years away from being able to challenge for a wildcard slot.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates- Surprise! No not really, ever since the late 80’s early 90’s the Pirates really have not been too much to talk about and its due to its ownership. Every time the team might start contending the team will trade their best players away for more prospects instead of trying to keep a nucleus of players. They have great young talent as always but its like they are a farm system playing in the majors and ship the players off to whoever needs that position player. Center fielder Andrew McCutchen is a great young center fielder and possibly the best young one in the whole game but he still needs coaching and attitude adjustment before he is able to reach his full potential. The player to watch is Lyle Overbay who undoubtley needs to come in and take over the clubhouse and tell them how to do things and because he has probably played in this league than most of his teammates have been alive. Just like every year Pirate fans just sit back and enjoy the losing while your cross state rival is winning World Series.
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