Opening Day kicks off in just 4 days when the Cubs take on the Cardinals on Sunday Night baseball. The Reds will get things started on Monday at 4:00 against the Phillies. Things are looking to good for our Reds, but expectations are not too high anyway. Here is how I see the NL Central playing out this year.
1. Chicago Cubs 98-64
Joe Maddens team is the favorite to win the NL Central and to repeat as World Series champs again. The Cubbies are a tier above everyone in the division this year, so if they don't win it, I'd be stunned. They have the best player in the division Kris Bryant and the best pitcher in division Jake Arrieta.
They lost Dexter Fowler, but they were without Kyle Schwarber for most of the season last year and still won the division by 17 games. The one area they struggle is pitching, but even that is solid compared the rest of the league. It just shows how strong Chicago will be this year. Believe it or not, I think the Cubs will have a strong hold on the division come the All Star break.
2. St. Louis Cardinals 81-81
I said the Cubs were a tier above everyone else. The Cardinals are a tier above the Pirates, Reds, and Brewers and I expect them to take second place easily. They have made the playoffs in 12 of the last 17 years and they will be fighting again for that wildcard spot this year.
As mentioned before, they did pick up Dexter Fowler from the Cubs. There starting rotation looks strong with, Martinez, Leake, Wainwright, Lynn, and Wacha which should be the best in the division. Matt Carpenter will also be batting 3rd this year which is a change.
3. Pittsburgh Pirates 72-90
Here is where the last tier starts. I think we are seeing the beginning of the end for the Pirates. They have Garrett Cole who is top pitcher in the MLB, but other than that they have some question marks in the rotation. Their bullpen should be good, but we will see if they can get a lead late in the game.
Andrew McCutchen had a horrible year last year, and they have some gaps in their lineup as well. Other than Starling Marte I don't see much. Ivan Nova had a solid couple months with the team, but they were possible the most disappointing team in baseball last year. I just don't see the Pirates staying in the race for the wildcard and I think they fold at the trade deadline.
4. Cincinnati Reds 70-94
It will once again be a rebuilding year for the Reds. I though Cincinnati actually had a decent starting rotation until a couple weeks when Anthony DeSclafani and Homer Bailey went down again. Scott Feldman is now the Opening Day starter.
The lineup will have a lot of young names in Jose Peraza and some other guys. The big question is what will the Reds do with Zack Cozart at the trade deadline? We as fans, should expect much of the same as least year for the Redlegs.
5. Milwaukee Brewers 68-98
It looks like the BrewCrew will be taking last place this year in the NL Central. Ryan Braun is still with the team after having a pretty solid year. The Brewers traded their next best hitter Jonathon Lucroy to the Rangers last year. If you take away Braun, nobody in their lineup has a better batting average than .269.
The starting rotation has Chase Anderson and Matt Garza if those names ring a bell. Similar to the Reds, the Brewers should be out of it come the All Star break.
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