MLB Preview-NL Central

Let's take a look at our NL Central Preview today.

Steve the Hammer Predictions:

1. Cincinnati Reds- They won the division last year, and I still like their rotation, which is why I cannot go against them here. A lot of people are thinking a down year is in order but I still like Cincy because they have a bunch of baseball players. Nobody is really going to wow you, but they play hard-nosed baseball and I like that. Plus they added a veteran short stop in Edgar Renteria, which pans out an awesome looking infield. Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Scott Rolen are also in that infield. With Jay Bruce in the outfield they will definitely hit enough to win games because they pitch well, and play great defense. I can’t go against them until they prove me otherwise.
2. Milwaukee Brewers- I’m going with the Brewers second and a wild card contender here mainly because of their very good pitching. Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum get added to Yovani Gallardo. Throw in Randy Wolfe as a fourth starter and you have a very good rotation for the Brew Crew. They still have Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun in the middle of that lineup, but shaky defense and a bullpen consisting of has beens like LaTroy Hawkins isn’t going to help them win this division. I like Cincinnati to edge out the Brewers for that division title.
3. St. Louis Cardinals- Losing Adam Wainwright is a swift kick in the nuts. Their rotation still isn’t bad with guys like Chris Carpenter and Kyle Lohse but I can’t see them finishing ahead of either Milwaukee or Cincinatti. With guys like Pujols, Holliday, Rasmus and the addition of Lance Berkman I think they’ll hit enough to give it a run at the wild card, but ultimately that pitching will hurt them.
4. Chicago Cubs- Talk about a team that I’m very down on. Yes, I know they added Matt Garza and they still have Zambrano, but I really don’t like this team. They added Carlos Pena but the guy is going to hit a blistering .200 with 25 home runs probably. Other than Soriano, no one else in that lineup really scares me to death. Aramis Ramirez who is probably the only other big time home run threat is old as fuck now, and I really don’t see another guy who scares me. They added Kerry Wood as their closer but will they ever get to him?
5. Houston Astros- The fact that Pittsburg plays in their division keeps them from a last place finish, but they suck. Look on the bright side, you guys added J.A. Happ right? Clint Barmes and Bill Hall will also be nice additions but I think Hunter Pence is one of the most overrated players in baseball. Carlos Lee will be Carlos Lee but this team just flat out has zero pitching. They’ll probably hit a little bit because they play in a bandbox but overall this team blows.
6. Pittsburg Pirates- Class AAAA. No that is not a typo they are basically a AAAA baseball team because once anyone gets good, they can’t afford them and they trade them away. Another long year is in store in Pitt as I can name about 4 guys on their roster, one of which is Matt Diaz who sucked for the Braves a few years back. Speaking of sucking, this team is god awful and I would be shocked if they win 60 games this year.

Johnny Baseball Predictions:

AHH THE CENTRALS!...my two favorite divisons in the MLB

1. Milwaukee Brewers - A big three of their own. (Gallardo, Grenkie, and Marcum). Moving Grenkie and Marcum to the NL = WINNING!. The Brew Crew might seriously have the best front three starters in the NL central now that Wainwright went down. A little weak at the catcher position and bullpen seeing as I couldn't name a player at either of the positions without going on MLB.com but hey, a nice little line up with Braun and Fielder. Hart and McGhee providing a little extra power and a few table setters with Weeks and former Met great Carlos Gomez. If Weeks stays healthy they could hit the 90 win mark.

2. Cincinnati Reds - Well I'm not going to say I think the Reds were the most overrated team in baseball last year BUT....the Reds were the most overrated team in baseball last year. Yes, I know they won the division but to me they counted on a few guys that will be a year older this year such as Rolen and Arroyo...also the addition of Renteria...guys like 50. Jay Bruce and Bradon Phillips get my "overrated" chant in Citi Field when I pay top dollar and I'm sitting there like a jackass only to see the Mets lose 2 outta 3 vs. guys and teams I think are overrated. I think the Reds pitching can keep them in a tight race, possibly the closest of all the divisons. Great young talent on the bump. Volquez needs to get his head in the game so he can be a Cy Young candidate and if this Chapman guy can keep pumping 107 MPH they will still be in a race for the divison and or wildcard all year.

3. St. Louis Cardinals - Gonna be a rough rough time for them without Wainwright which is a shame because he is a class act and a Cy Young candidate every year. Hate to see a guy like that get hurt BUT...they still have Carpenter, Garcia, Franklin, and Lohse going for them on the bump but losing Wainwright is just too huge for them to overcome and reach the playoffs. Also I think the Pujols saga can and will be a distraction come opening day and trade deadline. He's still the best player in baseball though... The Cards still have a good lineup and one the best defensive catchers in the game with Yadier and hey Nick Punto! A good ol' fashion ball player right there but other than Pujols ehhhh....Lance Berkman...PAUSE....just retire and Matt Holiday one of the most overrated, overpayed players in baseball. Chalk all that up to a third place finish.

4. Chicago Cubs - The only thing worse than being a Cubs fan...being a Jet/Met fan. This franchise literally may need some sort of exorcisim by a baseball God to remove the haunting memories and the curse that goes along with them. Signing Carlos Pena for one year ten million dollars? Might not be the smartest of moves but he will definitely provide some serious pop the lineup, but other than him (who barely batted .200 last year) I'm not afraid of really anyone in this lineup. Maybe just maybe Aramis and Marlyon Byrd, providing they aren't punching their pitchers in the face during a spring training game in the dugout. Speaking of pitching they will get some quality starts from Garza and Marmol is lights out. Big question with Zambrano, but if he can get back to form maybe they can sneak into third place.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates - This just shows you how awful I think the Astros are going to be..HA HA...They really do have a great young lineup if you take time away from walking your dog and check it out on MLB.com. Doumit, McCutchen, and Garrett Jones, could be stars in the MLB one day but the problem is their pitching is so awful. Daniel McCutchen (no relation to Andrew), Paul Maholm, Kevin Correia, Ross Olhendorf, and Scott Olsen really aren't cutting it for me and one more thing....They dismantle their team every chance they get. Look for maybe a better season BUT...also look for them to keep their streak of not having a winning season in almost 20 years. Hey fans, just boycott the team will ya, start a riot, throw batteries on the field, anything to show protest. Give us something in Pittsburgh to watch other than your Steelers losing to my Packers and your best hockey player crush team USA's gold medal dreams. Sorry, had to take that low-blow and it was so worth it.

6. Houston Astros - A decent outfield with Lee, Pence, and Bourn, but Lee isn't getting any younger, their infield could have me starting at second base, and when you have Nelson Figueroa on your pitching staff...that makes you worse than the Pirates. J.R. Towels could be a shining star soon...if he gets traded to a big market team. Other than that I mean what else is there to say...They stink...

There you have your NL Central Preview for this year, tune in tomorrow for our NL West edition.