NL Central

Chicago Cubs –

Season Outlook – I hate the Cubs. I hate the Cubs, but I think they will have a successful 2011. I also think the NL Central race could be one for the ages, not because it is full of great teams, but because it is full of average teams. The Cubs bolstered their pitching staff by getting Matt Garza in January. I understand a lot of my Cubs fans friends think the Cubbies gave up too much for Garza. I can’t really speak on that, but I have a feeling Garza is going to quiet his doubters this year and win somewhere between 14-17 games. Big Carlos Zambrano is still the ace, he is still crazy, and he still has pretty good stuff when he is on. Ryan Dempster, Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner round out the rotation. The lineup looks a lot like 2010, with the exception of hot-hitting (.197) Carlos Pena taking over for Derek Lee at first. Geovany Soto remains overrated behind the plate, as does Aramis Ramirez at third. I am not a huge fan of either one of them, but I know both can go on hot streaks. The two Cubs I like are the youngsters, Tyler Colvin and Starlin Castro. Both have potential to have major breakout seasons in 2011. Alfonsio Soriano will continue to frustrate Cubs fans in 2011. I don’t think Marlon Byrd will have as good of year as he did last year, but he should still be good. Carlos Marmol as a closer has serious potential. His stuff is just nasty…when it is over the plate. Kerry Wood returned to the North Side in case Marmol gets into trouble. Should be an interesting year in Wrigley.

Pros – Castro, Bullpen, Bartman

Cons – A lot of strikeouts, Cubs fans, Cubs announcers

MVP – Starlin Castro. I really think the young shortstop will be the heart and soul of the Cubs order this year. He could be their next great player.

MIP – Matt Garza. Big Z would be a candidate here, but he will be himself (aka: crazy) no matter what. Garza has a lot of pressure on him this year. Cubs fans want to see that the front office was correct in giving up prospects for Garza. It is on him to show it.

X – Carlos Marmol. The Cubs have seen a lot of bullpen problems over the last couple years. Marmol has the stuff to end those woes, he just needs to control it.

Best thing- The best thing about the Cubs is that they always lose. Duh.

2010 Record – 75-87

2011 Prediction – 85-77

Cincinnati Reds –

Season Outlook – I don’t know what to think about the Reds in 2011. I was impressed with them last year, but their lineup doesn’t impress me this year. Add that to the fact that their manager, Dusty Baker, rides teams to death, and I don’t think the Reds will see the post season again this year. Joey Votto was not a fluke. That I can agree with. He is an exceptional player and is still only 27 years old. The rest of the infield can’t say the same thing. Paul Janish is starting at shortstop, unless Edgar Renteria takes his spot, but neither one is very good. Brandon Phillips and Scott Rolen are both coming off great years, but can’t be counted on to do it again. Drew Stubbs is the outfielder that many people are excited about having a big year in 2011, but I disagree. I am hoping for big things out of Jay Bruce instead. People are acting like Jay Bruce is a big bust. He did hit .281 last year with 25 home runs, and he is only 23 years old. Give him some time. The pitching staff isn’t great, and the injuries to Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey don’t help. Bronson Arroyo will be his reliable self, and Edison Volquez could have a monster season, two years removed from surgery. After Arroyo and Volquez however, the rotation looks weak. Travis Wood, Mike Leake and Jose Arrendondo don’t exactly strike fear into opposing batters. The closer, for the moment is Francisco Cordero, but he will eventually be replaced by Aroldis Chapman. Chapman does strike fear in opposing batters.

Pros – Chapman, experienced infield, Great American Ballpark

Cons – aging stars, pedestrian pitching, Dusty Baker

MVP – Joey Votto. He was the NL MVP, so he is obviously the Reds MVP.

MIP – Edison Volquez. The Reds gave up Josh Hamilton to get Volquez, and he was great three years ago. He needs to show he can come back from his surgery and retain his old form. He needs to be the ace the Reds want him to be.

X – Jay Bruce. Bruce could have a year a lot like Votto’s in 2010. If Bruce can improve like I think he can, the Reds lineup will be better than expected.

Best Thing – The best thing about the Reds is the Great American Ballpark, or rather, the promotions at the GAB. When I went to a game there last year, the pregame concert was M.C. Hammer. I almost didn’t stay for the game because I was so awesomed-out already. But I stayed, because I am 2 Legit 2 Quit.

2010 Record – 91-71

2011 Prediction – 86-76

Houston Astros –

Season Outlook – I don’t love the Astros this year, but I don’t hate them either. Most people are picking them to finish last in the Central, I disagree (sorry Pirates). The starting pitching isn’t too shabby. Brett Meyers and Wandy Rodriguez can be very good, especially Rodriguez who is one of the most underrated pitchers in the majors. J.A. Happ still has potential be a good starting pitcher, and Bud Norris isn’t awful. Nelson Figueroa is the fifth starter. He went 7-4 last year in 11 starts, which isn’t dreadful. The starting rotation may be better than people think. The bullpen will be as bad as people think. There isn’t much to say about it. The lineup may surprise some people also. The outfield has power-hitting Carlos Lee, base-stealing Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence who hit 25 homers last year. In the infield the Astros have Bill Hall at second, Clint Barmes at short and Chris Johnson at third. The first baseman, Brett Wallace, has been tossed around a few teams, but is supposed to be a great hitter. I saw him hit down at some River Bandits game, and his swing is for real. I don’t think the Astros are going to compete for a division title, but I think they will be respectable.

Pros – outfield play, starting pitching, Wandy

Cons – bullpen, left side of the infield, the hump in center field

MVP – Hunter Pence. Carlos Lee has been pretty consistent over the years, as has Michael Bourn, the Astros need Pence to step up and hit around .300 to help the lineup score runs.

MIP – J.A. Happ. Happ was the main piece of the Roy Oswalt trade. They need him to be the guy he was when Philly first called him up. He has the stuff to be a 15 game winner.

X – Brett Wallace. Wallace needs to show that all those teams that traded him were wrong in doing so.

Best Thing – The best thing about the Astros is also the worst thing: that stupid hump in center field. I hate it, but, when seeing a center fielder go back on a fly ball, I have to admit, I get a little excited for the possibility of a fall.

2010 Record – 76-86

2011 Prediction – 80-84

Milwaukee Brewers –

Season Outlook – Real interesting team in Milwaukee this year. I am not sure if I am drinking the Brewers kool-aid just yet, but I do like what I see. Once Zack Grienke comes back, they have a very good starting rotation that can compete with any rotation in the NL Central. Yovani Gallardo has ace stuff, he just needs to go deeper into games, meaning he needs to throw more strikes. Randy Wolf is always steady, and Shaun Marcum is a lively arm they can throw out there. Their fifth starter, Chris Narveson isn’t great, but for a number five starter, he could be worse. The bullpen should be more stable than last year with John Axford set as the closer. The lineup is better than it has been in a while in Milwaukee also. Prince Fielder is back at first, and in a contract year, he should be huge this year, both literally and figuratively. Rickie Weeks is coming off a 2010 that saw him hit 29 homers. Casey McGehee is a very underrated third baseman and Yuniesky Betancourt is a serviceable shortstop. The corner outfield positions are strong with Corey Hart in right and Ryan Braun, a potential MVP candidate, in left. The catching position, currently occupied by Jonathon Lucroy worries me a bit, as does center field. In center, it appears Carlos Gomez and Nyjer Morgan will split time. I like both of them individually, even if they are both a bit crazy. My fear is that the craziness of each of them may come to be an issue as they battle over playing time. We will see.

Pros – Miller Park when the roof is open, Braun, Sausage races

Cons – Prince’s weight, Miller Park with the roof closed, drama in center field

MVP – Ryan Braun. Braun is the face of the Brewers, which means Prince Fielder is the belly. I really like Braun as a middle of the order guy. He could be in the discussion for MVP if the Brew Crew compete for a playoff spot.

MIP – Zack Grienke. Grienke needs to be to the 2011 Brewers what C.C. Sabathia was for half of the season to the 2008 Brewers. He has to be their ace that they can turn to every fifth day.

X – Prince Fielder. This may seem a strange X-factor, but if Prince mopes around all year because he is still in Milwaukee, the whole team will struggle. Hopefully, for the Brewers, he plays like he has something to prove and helps Braun and Hart carry the order.

Best Thing – The best thing about the Brewers is their cheese fries. I went to a game last year and the cheese fries that come in the mini Brewers helmet were possibly the best fries I have every had. Keep it up Milwaukee.

2010 Record – 77-85

2011 Prediction – 87-75

Pittsburgh Pirates –

Season Outlook – Oh the Pirates. What can I really say about the poor Bucs? I am not even going to get into their pitching staff. Lets just say it is anchored by ace Paul Maholm. Enough said right? I really like Pittsburgh’s outfield. Andrew McCutchen is an absolute joy to watch play baseball. Garret Jones is a good right fielder and has some pop in his bat, and Jose Tabata is an up and comer in left. I like the outfield, I just worry that once they start to gel, the Pirates will trade them all somewhere. The infield is very weak with the possible exception of Neil Walker at second base. Just not a good year to be a Pirates fan, but when is it ever?

Pros – McCutchen, Tabata, PNC Park

Cons – Pitching, ownership, infield

MVP – Andrew McCutchen. He is obviously the man for the Pirates. That is asking a lot of the young man to be the face of THIS franchise.

MIP – James McDonald. Why McDonald? I guess just because he is young and if he pitches well, could very likely be the ace coming into 2012.

X – Jose Tabata. McCutchen needs some help from someone. I think that someone could be Tabata.

Best Thing – The best thing about the Pirates is PNC Park and Downtown Pittsburgh. A great game day atmosphere and perhaps the most beautiful ball park I have ever been to. If the Pirates ever get good again, and I hope they do, that will be an exceptional place to watch a game.

2010 Record – 57-105

2011 Prediction – 61-101

St Louis Cardinals –

Season Outlook – The Cardinals were my pick to win the Central until Adam Wainwright got hurt. I still think they could win the division, but losing a Cy Young caliber pitcher never helps. Chris Carpenter is still dominant when healthy, at the top of the rotation. Jake Westbrook is a steady number two. The make or break positions for the Cards in 2011 is the number three and four pitchers. If Jamie Garcia and Kyle Lohse can be as effective as last season, they could win the Central. I like the Cards lineup. Lance Berkman is still a good hitter, but he will be awful in right field. I wouldn’t be surprised if John Jay plays a lot in right instead of Berkman. Colby Rasmus and Matt Holliday will both be very good outfielders and hitters in 2011. The infield looks better than last year. Albert Pujols will put up MVP numbers as usual. David Freese could be a very good third baseman if he stays healthy. You basically know what you are getting with Ship Schumaker at second and Yadier Molina at catcher. The wild card for the Cardinals infield will be Ryan Theriot. If Theriot can play more like 2009 than 2010, he could be an upgrade over Brenden Ryan.

Pros – Pujols, outfield play, 1-2 pitchers

Cons – bullpen, Berkman’s defense, 3-4-5 pitchers

MVP – Albert Pujols. Obivously.

MIP – Jamie Garcia. Garcia needs to avoid the sophomore slump this season for the Cards to be in contention.

X – David Freese. If Freese can hit .300, like he did in limited time last year, he could be a huge addition to the Cardinals lineup.

Best Thing – The best thing about the Cardinals is their Single A team, the Quad City River Bandits. Coming this year to the Bandits games is two awesome things: 1) Iowa Hawkeyes football bobbleheads and 2) George The Animal Steele appearance. Going to be a fun year.

2010 Record – 86-76

2011 Prediction – 85-77