2010 NL Central Preview

The Favorite

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cards are the NL Central favourites for 4 reasons: Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. Carpenter and Wainwright are dominant the top of the rotation, while Pujols and Holliday anchor the middle of the Cards lineup. After that it comes down to whatever manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan can milk out of the rest of the roster. Luckily for Cardinals fans, the coaching staff has a pretty good record of turning Kyle Loshe into sugar (why else would they sign Brad Penny?). The recent signing of Felipe Lopez should help in stabilizing the offence and questions about the back end of the rotation and bullpen are minor enough that it should not hinder the Cards from repeating as division champs

The Contenders

Chicago Cubs

The 2009 season was somewhat of a disaster for the Cubs. Jim Hendry was the only person on the planet who believed the two angriest people in baseball - Lou Pinella and Milton Bradley - could get along with each other. Geovany Soto was hit with the dreaded sophomore jinx and the stocky backstop took a step backwards, while Alfonso Soriano lived up to his contract in much the same manner as Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells has. The Cubs have added Marlon Byrd and Xavier Nady to shore up their outfield and I expect Mike Fontenot to have a better season than last year in the Cubs infield (he hit almost 40 points lower than his 2008 average). Last year’s disaster season still yielded 83 wins for the Cubs, so with Mad Milton out of the picture there is no reason to believe the Cubs won’t be in the thick of the race this year as well.

Milwaukee Brewers

Bernie Brewer better invest in a good pair of overalls, because with Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun socking dingers, Bernie will be wearing out the seat of his pants going down the slide at Miller Park every time the Brew Crew hit a home run. Along with Braun and Fielder, I expect improved power numbers from Corey Hart and third baseman Casey McGehee. However there are still some question marks in the Brewers lineup (Gregg Zaun is their starting catcher) and like many teams, the Brewers will go as far as their pitching can take them. I expect Doug Davis, Randy Wolf and Jeff Suppan to pitch to their league average levels, but if Yovani Gallardo can improve and Manny Para can get his ERA under six the Brewers can stay in the race.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds are this year’s sexy pick for surprise contender in the NL and I can see why they are such an alluring pick. The team is fairly strong offensively – the only major question mark is center field, where the Reds will most likely start rookie Drew Stubbs. While regression could be a problem for veterans such as Scott Rolen, Ramon Hernandez and Orlando Cabrera, young hitters like Joey Votto and Jay Bruce should continue to improve on their 2009 seasons. Veterans Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo (who recorded a CD with the same name as my blog) should keep the pressure off promising young Reds starters Homer Bailey, Aroldis Chapman, and Johnny Cueto. This makes the Reds just as dangerous (although more unproven) as the Brewers and Cubs in challenging for the division title.

Maybe Next Year

Houston Astros

Carlos Lee is still hitting baseballs as hard as he hits the clubhouse spread, and that is a good thing for the Astros. What is not a good thing for the Astros is Brett Myers and Brandon Lyon were their biggest free agent signings this offseason (no offence Pedro Feliz). Houston’s pitching is still below where it needs to be to contend in the NL Central in 2010.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Well, maybe not next year, maybe two years. But hey, PNC Park is gorgeous.