NL Central Preview

St. Louis Cardinals – Macho Man Randy Savage

Why Macho Man? – The Cardinals are second all time in World Series titles. It could be argued that they are an underrated franchise because often the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, White Sox and others are thought of as being rich in history while leaving out the Cards. The Macho Man is one of the most underrated wrestlers of all time. Seriously. Go back and watch Wrestlemania’s 1-8 and tell me that Macho was not awesome. Also, Macho Man always had the prettiest girl on his arm in Miss Elizabeth. The 2010 Cardinals have the “prettiest girl” on their arm in the form of Albert Pujols.

What I like – I think there is a lot to like about the Cardinals in 2010. The outfield of Matt Holliday, Colby Rasmus and Ryan Ludwick could be really good. Just don’t have Holliday play at Dodger stadium during the late afternoon hours. Holliday went on a tear when he came over to St. Louis last year, and he provides teams with more incentive to pitch to Albert. I still like Yadier Molina behind the plate. He is fantastic defensively and not too bad with the stick either. The 1-2 starters are as good as any team in the majors. Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright are real good pitchers. Wainwright also usually has a pretty solid beard. I personally think Brad Penny can be an effective #3 or #4 pitcher in the National League, but that will remain to be seen.

Questions – Will Skip Schumaker and Brendan Ryan hit good enough to set the table for Pujols and Holliday? With Kyle Lohse, Penny, and Jamie Garcia be a decent enough 3-4-5 to keep them winning games when Carpenter and Wainwright doesn’t pitch? Again, I think yes to this question. Penny and Lohse can be very good when on, and very bad when off. I think they will be more on this year than off. Can Ludwick continue to produce runs? Will Rasmus have a sophomore slump? Will the bullpen be sufficient? Ryan Franklin exceded expectations last year, can he do it again? A lot of questions that involve players that played good last year, the real issue is whether they can do it again. I think they can and will. I trust Franklin and Ludwick to have good years once again.

2009 Record – 91-71
2010 Prediction – 90-72


Chicago Cubs – John Cena

Why Cena? – I gave the Cubs John Cena not because of a title drought, because Cena is the champion, but because of his perception to fans. Cena is perceived as a fan favorite. The loveable Cena. Real wrestling fans (most real wrestling fans) do not like Cena very much. Batista had about half the crowd behind him at Wrestlemania. The Cubs are the same way. “The loveable losers” are not loveable at all. Many players and commentators, and just informed baseball fans, hate Cubs fans. They care more about drinking than baseball. They are fans for one week in April, whenever they can get tickets, and maybe one week in September and October, but that’s only if they are close to clinching a playoff spot. I would like to point out, I know some very loyal, very smart Cubs fans who I do not think this about. And it is also because I have grown up 3 hours from Wrigley, but there is just way too many first/last week Cubs fans who run their mouths about stuff they don’t know anything about. On another note, I thought about making the Cubs Papa Shango because of the curse, but Papa Shango was simply too awesome.

What I like – I am a Derrek Lee fan. I think Lee gets too much negative stuff written about him when he is in a three game slump, and not enough when he is on fire. Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano and Kosuke Fukudome seem to be the center of attention all the time, but I’d take Derrek Lee before any of them in a heartbeat. I also think Carlos Zambrano will have a pretty big year. He has been slowly falling out of favor of many experts, but I think he regains that swagger this year.

Questions – Will the rest of the rotation after Big Z be sufficient to get them a playoff spot? I am saying no. I do not like Ted Lilly as a number 2 starter. Dempster has been overrated for two years, Randy Wells might be alright, but Tom Gorzelanny isn’t the answer for the number five spot. Not a fan of the rotation. Will the bullpen be a disaster again? I say no on this also. I think Carlos Marmol has nasty stuff. He is a closer, plain and simple. It is about time they stopped messing around and put him there. This will be an unpopular opinion, but I am not big on Geovany Soto. I think his rookie year could be his career year. Yes, I understand he has talent, but I think he shot his wad early and will never match the production he had in 2008.

2009 Record – 83-78
2010 Prediction – 82-79

Milwaukee Brewers – Kane

Why Kane? – The Brewers are Kane because they are like the little brother of the Cubs. Up until the C.C. 2008 run, Miller Park was often called Wrigley Field North. If the Cubs are the equivalent of the Undertaker when it comes to national notoriety and ticket sales, then the Brewers are just a step behind them. Granted, I used Cena fo the Cubs, but you get the analogy. Anyway, the Brewers notable players are big and strong like Kane. Kane was awesome when he had a mask on (we will relate this to Sabathia and Prince Fielder on the same field), but just not quite as awesome without the mask (just Fielder’s big ass occupying Miller Park). Also, the Brew Crew has some fire power as seen by Ryan Braun and Fielder, just like the Big Red Machine (ah, Big Red Machine, should have used him for Cincinnati).

What I like – I love the Braun-Fielder duo. One of the best 1-2 punches in all of baseball. I think Braun is the more complete hitter, but Fielder is good for 40+ home runs in his sleep. Last year the Bruan-Fielder duo combined for 255 RBIs. That could be even more this year with a healthy Rickie Weeks leading off and Corey Hart in the two hole. I also really like the addition of Carlos Gomez in center. He is a little bit crazy, but baseball needs more crazy. Yovani Gallardo should be a 15-17 game winner this year. He has good stuff, and went over 200 K’s last year. I expect big things out of him. Having Randy Wolf on the staff should help him get his head on straight also.

Questions – Is Gregg Zaun really a starting catcher? The answer is no, but the Brewers don’t have any other options. Will the losses of Mike Cameron, J.J. Hardy, Felipe Lopez and Jason Kendall hurt the Brewers or usher in a new era at those positions? I think it will be very interesting to see how Gomez, Zaun, and Alcides Escobar fill in for those players. Will the bullpen show it’s age, or will it have some of that veteran savvy and be consistent? Trevor Hoffman is nearing retirement age. He will be 64 in June, so it will be interesting if he can continue to walk out to the mound with Hells Bells playing or if they will have to switch it to something more age appropriate like “The Twist”.

2009 Record – 80-82
2010 Prediction – 84-78

Cincinnati Reds – Rowdy Roddy Piper

Why Piper? – The Reds were the team of the 70’s with the Big Red Machine bringing in titles, then again in the late 80’s and early 90’s with Barry Larkin and crew. Yet, because of people like Ken Griffey Jr., Brandon Phillips, Adam Dunn, Josh Hamilton and Edinson Volquez they remain entertaining, much like the Hot Rod. Roddy was a top performer in the 80’s and early 90’s then had guest appearances here and there and was always entertaining not only in the ring, but also on the mic, and also chasing Golddust in a white Ford Bronco at Wrestlemania 12. The Reds have some real excitement this year starting with Aroldis Chapman, and who can honestly say they watched Raw last Monday night and wasn’t excited when they heard the bagpipes?

What I like – The pitching staff could be very solid this year, even without Volquez. Aaron Harang is always underrated. Johnny Cueto is due for a breakout year. Bronson Arroyo, Homer Bailey, and Micah Owings are question marks, but at least Owings is good for a few homers. I also like Chris Dickerson in left field. He might not be an all-star but he is a very solid #2 hitter in my opinion. I’m looking for Joey Votto and Jay Bruce to have good seasons, especially Bruce since he is healthy this year. Brandon Phillips will be solid as usual.

Questions – The bullpen will be questionable. Francisco Cordero is listed as the closer and Arthur Rhodes as the set up man. Really? Arthur Rhodes? Also, I don’t like the Scott Rolen addition at third. He hit .270 with 3 HR and 24 RBI in 40 games for the Reds last year, and I don’t see that improving much. We all saw what happened to Rolen last time he played in the N.L. Central with St. Louis. The Reds fans might be packing his bags halfway through the year like Cards fans were doing a few years ago. The real question is when Chapman will make his debut and how good he will be. All signs point to him being a lights out starter, but who knows. They said that about Dice-K also.

2009 Record – 78-84
2010 Prediction – 75-87

Houston Astros – Ric Flair

Why Flair? – Well it certinaly isn’t because of the simalarities between titles won, because Flair trumps them there. It is because both look older every day, both use the same formula every season or match and never seem to stray from it, and both are essentially boring. Sorry wrestling fans, Flair is boring as a wrestler. Also, Bret Hart made him sound like a douche in his book. I side with the Hitman.

What I like – I like the young guys on Houston. Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn are solid outfielders. Both should hit over .280 and Bourn will steal at least 40 bases. I also think Wandy Rodriguez is an underrated pitcher. He only had 14 wins last year but his ERA was 3.02 in 33 games. That’s real low.

Questions – Are Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt too old to be the centerpiece of a franchise. My inkling is yes. Will Carlos Lee begin to slow down even more? Last year he only had 26 HR and 102 RBI. Still really good numbers, but not what he should be doing for the expectations placed on him. Should Kaz Matsui being leading off? Is Roy Oswalt healthy? Will the bottom three of the rotation win any games? Lots of questions about age and health surrounding the 2010 Astros.

2009 Record – 74-88
2010 Record – 69-93

Pittsburgh Pirates – Golddust

Why Golddust? – the Pirates come from great lineage, like Glolddust. (Although I never really like the American Dream Dusty Rhoades as a wrestler so that’s up for debate). The Pirates also have a beautiful ballpark. PNC Park is one of the nicest parks in the majors in my opinion, much like Golddust’s gimmick and wife for a time, Terri Runnels. Another comparison can be made for the lack of a solid identity. Seems like the WWE is always doing something different with Golddust, or forgetting him all together. The Pirates fans often forget about the Pirates at the beginning of May.

What I like – I love Andrew McCutchen. I think he will be an all-star someday, just probably not with the Pirates. After all the trades over the last few years, it is time the Pirates build a foundation and try to build a winner. I think that starts with McCutchen, Garrett Jones and Lasting Milledge in the outfield and Ryan Doumit behind the plate. I think the pitching staff will be decent. No ace’s on this staff, but Zach Duke, Paul Maholm and Ross Ohlendorf should be serviceable.

Questions – With Matt Capps gone, will the bullpen be any good? I doubt it. Should Ronny Cedeno be a starting shortstop? Also, doubtful. Will the Pirates have yet another losing season? Yes. Watch out Undertaker, here they come after your streak.

2009 Record – 62-99
2010 Prediction – 64-98