Sports Lynx Blog

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The NL Central is the toughest division for me to handicap personally because each of the team’s is so flawed that I can’t really find a team that I like and feel confident in taking to win this division. I know popular thinking is the Cubs but to be honest, well they’re the Cubs! LOL I will say this, the division will be competitive from start to finish.

1. Milwaukee Brewers- projected record- 86-76

I really don’t think it will take much more than 86 wins to take this division because the NL West and NL East will beat the hell out of these teams when they play them. The preceding being said, I kind of like Milwaukee to get it done this year. This team is young and talented with Prince Fielder, JJ Hardy et al. Of course the key for Milwaukee is keeping their ace Ben Sheets off the shelf. Sheets is as good as it gets when he’s healthy but he is injury prone. Hey I don’t love the Brewers by any means and I could easily see someone else’s take on this division but for my money, I will take the young and comers over the Cubs who always find a way to lose.

2. Chicago Cubs- projected record- 85-77

Hey great start to the Kerry Woods as closer era in Chicago on opening day as Woods came in and chucked a little gasoline on the fire allowing 3-runs in the 9th inning. The Cubs have some talent but I don’t think they will pitch as well as last year. Zambrano is a stud but I am not sold on Ted Lilly, Rich Hill etc. While I like Derek Lee, he’s another guy who gets hurt a lot. Aramis Ramirez is underrated at third base but the rest of this line-up doesn’t scare me one bit. When I hear everyone picking the Cubs, which is what I hear, I run in the other direction.

3. Cincinnati Reds- projected record- 83-79

I like Dusty Baker and some of the pieces that are in Cincinnati. Aaron Harang  is an excellent pitcher toiling in a hitter’s ballpark. If Cincinnati can get some decent pitching and Junior Griffey stays healthy with Dunn and some of the other pop in this line-up, who knows? In the end, I don’t think they have enough pitching to win the division but I do think they will be very competitive all year long.

4. St. Louis Cardinals- projected record- 76-86

Other than Albert Pujos and Tony LaRussa, what is there to like about the 2008 Cardinals? The pitching staff is woefully thin, I mean Adam Wainright is their ace. The line-up is bad after trading Scott Rolen and losing other mainstays like Jim Edmonds to age. The only reason this team will win this many games is that they play in the worst division in baseball. Put St. Louis in the NL West and they’d be a 65 win club. Sorry Cardinal fans, your normally good team stinks this season.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates-projected record- 73-89

The 20-year rebuilding plan is almost complete. I mean the Pirates have been rebuilding since Barry Bonds left and Sid Bream scored the winning run for Atlanta in the NLCS in the early 90s. The only reason I didn’t pick Pittsburgh for last place was my sympathy for their fan base and the fact that I saw a team on my satellite last night that I think is worse than Pittsburgh. (that is coming next) I do like Ian Snell and a couple of their players like Jason Bay but overall the best thing about the Pittsburgh Pirates is their ballpark.

6. Houston Astros-projected record- 68-94

Good thing the state of Texas has the Dallas Cowboys and the University of Texas football team to follow because baseball is going to suck for these folks this summer with the Rangers and Astros. I have no clue how Houston will score runs. Yes they have Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee and some other hitters like Tejada (until he goes to jail for perjury perhaps), however the pieces just don’t fit. They have too many guys who strike out too much, not enough speed on the bases and their pitching, save Roy Oswalt,  stinks. I don’t like the make-up of this team at all and I believe by July they will be looking to deal contracts for prospects. This may surprise some people but I honestly believe that the Astros will have last place all to themselves in the NL Central.

Tomorrow, I will tackle the NL West, the NL Playoffs and the World Series champion.