The NL Central was a suprise last year when Joey Votto and the Cincinnati Reds took over. The rest of the league has improved and the Reds have grown up, should be tight race for first place. I think 4 out of the 6 teams will finish with winning records.
1. Cincinnati Reds
I believe the Reds have what it takes to repeat as NL Central champions. They are young and strong, they will be a force in the National League entirely let alone the Central division. The rotation is good with Edison Volquez as the ace, Bronson Arroyo is number two bringing a veteran into the rotation, Johnny Cueto is thrid, while Homer Baily and Travis Wood finish out the rotation, Arroyo is the only one of the five over 30 (33). The bullpen is alright with Aroldis Chapman headlining the pen with Francisco Cordero closing. Ramon Hernandez is behind the plate with a .297 batting average from a year ago, with the franchise leader Joey Votto at first, Brandon Phillips at second, Scott Rolen at third and Paul Janish at shortstop. The outfield has Johnny Gomes in left, Drew Stubbs in center and Jay Bruce in right.
2. St. Louis Cardinals
I think the only thing that is keeping the Cardinals from taking first is the distraction of Albert Pujols. The rotation is still solid with Carpenter, Wainwright and Garcia leading the way, the bullpen is decent but they still have closer Ryan Franklin. Name that Molina time...Yadier Molina is behind the plate for the Cardinals again, obviously Albert Pujols in at first. Skip Shumaker at second, Ryan Theriot at shortstop and David Freese at third should do well, especially Theriot he is underrated as far as shortstops go, the outfield has Matt Holliday in left, Colby Rasmus in center and veraten Lance Berkman is in right. The team has a lot of veteran experience.
3. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have improved their rotation which has killed them in the last few years, they added dominate Royals pitcher Zach Greinke, Yovani Gallardo is a good number two, Shaun Marcum is good number three and Randy Wolf is a nice number four, Manny Para is the only real highlight of the bullpen besides that there is not much and could really hurt the Brew Crew. Young Jonathan Lucroy is starting at catcher it's his first full season so we'll see how he pans out, Prince Fielder is back at first he will be good like always, Ricky Weeks at second, Yuniesky Betancourt is at shortstop, with Casey McGehee at third, Ryan Braun is back and will be producing, Carlos Gomez needs to step up in center and Cory Hart is in left. Mark Kotsay could get some time in the outfield.
4. Chicago Cubs
They have improved very much but so has everyone else, few question marks they will either be pretty good or not good at all. The Cubs were really good under Mike Quade as he earned the manager spot and hopefully they can continue. Ryan Dempster will be the ace now I think we'll see, Carlos Zambrano was really bad last year till the last part of the season where he was dominate, Matt Garza is in Chi-Town now from Tampa Bay, The Cubs signed Carlos Marmol back to the closing spot, Kerry Wood is back in town and I'm not sure how I feel about that, maybe he can help a young bullpen that has talent. Geovanny Soto is back behind the plate he had a down year last year and hopefully he can get back to his rookie of the year self, Carlos Pena is at first he too came from Tampa Bay and provides a solid left handed bat to the lineup, Blake DeWitt is a big question mark in the infield he needs to prove himself, Starlin Castro is a good young shortstop, Aramis Ramirez is back at third, Alfonso Soriano has been slumping the last two seasons we'll see how he does, Marlon Byrd was a good pick up last year and he is back in center, young Tyler Colvin looks to start in right this year and share time with Fukudome.
5. Houston Astros
This team has holes everywhere. Lets start with pitching that is lead by Wandy Rodriguez and no existing bullpen. Jason Castro is catching, Brett Wallace at first, Bill Hall at second, Clint Barmes at shortstop is the veteran of the infield, Chris Johnson batted .308 last year maybe he can do that again, Carlos Lee is back again in left, Michael Bourn is in center and Hunter Pence is in right field the outfield is whats keeping them out of last.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates
Paul Maholm's 9-15 record and 5.10 ERA is the ace, fantastic for the Pirates...not! They Pirates are bad again and aren't looking any better anytime soon. Catching is Chris Snyder who batted .207 last year, Lyle Overbay is at first and he brings the veteran spot of the team, Neil Walker posted a batting average of .296 last season maybe their is a bright spot, Ronny Cedeno is at short and he can be good, Pedro Alvarez is at third, Jose Tabata batted .299 that is almost .300! Andrew McCutchen is in centerfield is young and good on the bases and Garrett Jones is in right, this team isn't looking good.
No comments:
Post a Comment