MLB 2010 - NL Central Preview

Already 5 days into the MLB 2010 baseball regular season, and the NL Central may already be showing its true strength.  Previously known as the "Comedy Central," the bottom teams in the division may try their best in 2010 to bring that name back.  Problem is, the team at the top of this division is too strong for anybody to laugh at.

Here is a preview of how the NL Central division will play out for 2010

1. St. Louis Cardinals (96-66 prediction)

Led by future hall of fame manager Tony La Russa and three time MVP Albert Pujols, this may be one of the most feared Cardinals teams TLR has had since being in St. Louis. 

The offense is potent, led by Pujols, the $120 million dollar man Matt Holliday, solid producer Ryan Ludwick, and up and coming future star Colby Rasmus.  This team will score runs and throw some glove too, as Yadier Molina is a sure-fire favorite to repeat as gold glove winner behind the plate.

While the offense is good, its the starting pitching that makes this team scary good and a World Series contender.  The staff boasts two aces in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, both Cy Young finalists in 2009.  The rotation is deep though with the acquisition of Brad Penny to a one year deal and the return of a healthy Kyle Lohse.

The achilles for this team will be the bullpen, as it is young and inexperienced.  TLR and pitching coach Dave Duncan are relying on 37 journeyman Ryan Franklin yet again to buckle down the 9th inning and a slew of homegrown talent to get Franklin the ball.

The Cardinals win this division easily and have it locked up in early September, but do they have enough to make it the World Series?

2. Cincinnatti Reds (87-75 prediction)

Dusty Baker has a team stacked with young horses, both in his lineup and on the hill. 

The offense is led by 2b Brandon Phillips, who has turned himself into one of the most reliable players in the National League and is able to put the ball over the fence, cause havoc on the basepaths, and play an outstanding 2b defense.  3b Scott Rolen reunites with GM Walt Jockety in Ohio and is due for a solid, virtual comeback season.

The keys for the Reds though lie in the hands of their youth.  The lineup will need 1b Joey Votto and OF Jay Bruce to produce regularly.  Both have been prone to injuries and inconsistency and will need to turn the past flashes of brilliance into a full time gig in 2010.  On the hill, the team will need to see growth and maturity in Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey, as both will be relied upon in the middle of the rotation to eat innings and win games

The wildcard for the Reds is the return of SP Edinson Volquez, who is coming back from elbow surgery, and super-phenom SP Aroldis Chapman, who if you haven't heard about this Cuban defector's fastball, you must be stuck in a cave.

Baker will need to make this team a contender, otherwise GM Walt Jockety may get tired of waiting around. 

3. Milwaukee Brewers (84-78 prediction)
Talk about a team loaded with talent.  But is something in the water in Cheeseland that causes this team to come up short?

Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun are as dangerous an offensive duo in the league as anybody.  Braun is ready to have an MVP-type season and Fielder already has had two.  You add Pujols and Holliday to the mix and 4 top offensive players in the National League may reside in this division.

Giving up on J.J. Hardy was a mistake and getting Calos Gomez in return won't solve the Brewers on base issues.  This lineup needs to get on base in front of the boppers Braun and Fielder.  Rickie Weeks has been an enigma his entire career, and evidently former all-star Corey Hart has fallen off the map.

The rotation is bolstered by Yovanni Gallardo, who is as good as it gets.  Randy Wolf is decent, but after that the rotation really falls off.  The bullpen is decent though, led by the all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman.

Despite great seasons from Braun and Fielder, the Brew-crew will muster only a 3rd place finish this season as the rotation will struggle. 

4. Chicago Cubs (82-82 prediction)
The Cubs and their $146 million payroll could be in store for an interesting season.  On paper, this team is aa good as anyone.  But the games aren't played on paper.  They are played on grass.

The offense will score runs, there is no doubt about that.  Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez are two consistent players when healthy and can bash the ball all over Wrigley.  Soriano has to drive the entire state of Illinois bonkers as he will most likely hit .260 with 170ks, 25 hrs and play the worst left field in all of MLB.  And the Cubs pay him $18 million. 

Signing Marlon Byrd just didn't make any sense.  The Cubs rid themselves of cancer Milton Bradley, but now they have somebody who can challenge Big Z in a buffet line with Carlos Silva.

The rotation should be solid, if healthy.  Carlos Zambrano still has as much talent as anyone and Ryan Dempster is tough as nails.  The bullpen will be ok too, as Carlos Marmol will truly grow into the closers role.

Unfortunately, the Loveable Losers should see another familiar season as Big Lou will get the can after a myriad of expensive, unsuccessful seasons with the Baby Bears. 

5. Pittsburgh Pirates ( 70-92 prediction)
The Pirates payroll for 2010 is the same as the sum of Albert Pujols, Matt Holiday, and Yadier Molina for 2010, which is ridiculous.  The play on the field, although promising, should be pretty ridiculous this season too. 

Garret Jones is a talented young player that will grow into anchoring the Pirate lineup.  Look for outfielders Andrew McCutcheon and Lastings Milledge to play up to their high-celing potential.  The vetern middle-infield of SS Bobby Crosby and 2b Aki Iwamura is solid.

But after that, what do the Pirates have to offer? 

The rotation is led by two soft tossing left handers in Paul Maholm and Zach Duke and after that none of the starters in the rotation have much MLB experience. 

Look for another long season in Pittsburgh.  On the bright side, the team does boast the best stadium in the division.  There is something to look forward to.

6. Houston Astros (62-100)
There is absolutely nothing about this team that should make anybody excited.  The Astros have had a great run of being compeitive and near the top of the division, but this group has just gotten stale and old.

Carlos Lee is a big as walrus in left field and cares about AB's when runners are on base to pad his RBI stats.  Lance Berkman is breaking down.  Last year he was more Larry Bigbie than Lance Berkman and he is already fighting injuries.  Roy Oswalt is still a top of the line, gutsy ace, but where is the help in the rotation.  Wandy Rodriguez is decent, but relying on Brett Myers to lose 40 lbs and gain 8 mph back on his fastball just isn't going to happen. 

Look for one of the largest fire-sales in MLB history as this team gets broken-up quicker than a garage band without a lead singer.

Once again, the St. Louis Cardinals will be the class of the NL Central and are favorites to win the NL.

Don't sleep on the Reds and their young talent.  Their team is built for their ball park, to put the ball over the fence and to strike you out when your guy is in the box.

We will see how she goes.