2010 MLB Predictions: NL Central

Aright kids, here is the NL Central. Our favorite division. The Division with our beloved, impoverished Pirates in a constant flux to reach Major League parity. Oh the lovely Pirates. Our future is so bright (quote used for the last 17 years)...Here are my predictions

Cardinals
Reds
Cubs
Pirates
Brewers
Astros

The top 3 I think could end up being interchangeable throughout the course of the season, and yes, the Pirates sitting in 4th is completely wishful thinking, but what the Cardinals have in Albert Pujols, I think they could end up lacking in 2 very important categories of which are very important for long term success; defense and relief pitching. The pitching may not be a big deal because they have the best pitching coach in the Majors and they will end up righting that ship. So, that is why they won out over the Reds and more notably the Cubs, whom many people are picking as favorites for he division.

The cubs have too many health questions with Soriano, Ramirez, Lee, Zombrano and even more now with the addition of Xavier Nady. If they are all healthy all season and produce like they have in the past, then it will be a compeltely different story. Aside, from the production of the aforementioned stars, does anyone think the Cubs will be getting great numbers from their pitching staff? If I had a magic 8 ball I think they answer would be "ask again later" or "note likely".

I don't know why I have the Reds in second place. I like their young talent and the promise of their up and coming highly rated prospectus rotation. Hell they thought their number 1 pick was so good they said he could skip out on Minor league mop jobs and come straight in and be their number 5 starter. Can Homer Bailey be as good as advertised and will the young boppers come through. I think they can, which is why I have them in second.

I think the bottom 3 could probably be interchangeable as well. The reason these 3 teams are the bottom 3 is because I believe they all lack something in common. Good, Healthy Pitching. But, what they lack in pitching, they make up for it in size(Brewers), speed(Pirates), and texans(Astros).

I believe the Pirates have the best chance of the 3 to finish out of the bottom spot because they do something better than any team, and that is field the ball. The Pirates were the best fielding team in the NL last season. I know that when it comes to baseball there isn't the constant phrasing of "defense wins championships" and the Pirates were THE prime example of that, but in spite of their defensive prowess, I think they can really run. The Pirates have a fast team and are going to take many bases other teams would be afraid to attempt. Like everyone else though, my reservations come with their offense. They lack a big proven bat in the middle of the line up, and everyone in the line up is young. I'm hoping Iwamura becomes our team MVP and his japanese mentality of patience at the plate, which I believe is preached over there will rub off on the rest of the ball club. Which is why I'm assuming they are batting him in the lead off spot to start the season. Their starting pitching keeps me up at night.

The brewers have big bats and big men, but I just don't see the depth in their rotation or their bullpen outside of the trevor hoffman. I think he's going to be waiting awhile for his 600th save, though he only needs like 9.

The Astros just keep getting hurt. Outside of Berkman and Lee, they don't have anyone that really pound the ball and they keep alternating getting injured. Right now its Berkman starting the season on the DL and when he returns how much you want to bet that Lee goes down sometime in the month afterwards. Also, their ace is having back issues, which gives me reservations about how well he actually will pitch this year. Outside of the Wandy Ramirez, I'm not sure they are going to do much, even with the Brett Myers addition. I doubt he has a great season with that short porch in left field; I bet he gives up the most home runs in the Majors this year.


Pirates # of Victories Predictions: 80. Just to blue ball me towards the end of the season and keep everyone in Pittsburgh interested. How sad is it that a team striving for 82 victories could keep an entire city interested in baseball?

CDP: Pujols win another MVP, Cutch goes 20/40 and 2 of the previously mentioned cubs stars will get injured for a significant amount of time. I'm thinking Lee and Ramirez.