NL Central Preview: Can Cubs Reverse Curse?
The Chicago Cubs came out of nowhere to win the division last year after finishing in the cellar in 2006 (yes, even worse than the Pittsburgh Pirates). This year, which will mark the 100th anniversary of their last World Series title, with the addition of Japanese superstar Kosuke Fukudome, the Cubs will again look to take the division crown and try to end the curse of the billy goat.
Standing in the way of the Cubbies will be the Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, and possibly the St. Louis Cardinals. The Brew Crew is looking for their first NL Central title and first pennant in over a quarter of a century. The Astros and Reds could also be contenders if they can find enough pitching in their very hitter-friendly ballparks. The Cardinals pitching staff will try to hold its own until veteran starters Mark Mulder and Chris Carpenter return from injuries.
Then, there are the Pirates. According to one blog’s preview of the Pirates, the 2008 outlook is “Painfully awful. Bleak. Depressing.”
Your NL Central previews with last year’s records, key additions, key losses, projected starting lineup, projected rotation, overall outlook, fantasy impact players, and our prediction for this season:
2008 Milwaukee Brewers Outlook
2008 Projection: (86-76), 1st place
Team MVP: Prince Fielder
2008 Chicago Cubs Outlook
2008 projection: (84-78), 2nd place
Team MVP: Derek Lee
2008 Cincinnati Reds Outlook
2008 projection: (82-80), 3rd place
Team MVP: Aaron Harang
2008 Houston Astros Outlook
2008 projection: (79-83), 4th place
Team MVP: Roy Oswalt
2008 St. Louis Cardinals Outlook
2008 projection: (74-88), 5th place
Team MVP: Albert Pujols
2008 Pittsburgh Pirates Outlook
2008 projection: (68-94), 6th place
Team MVP: Ian Snell
Also, check out our NL East & AL East previews and check back for further team-by-team previews of other divisions.
The Pete
Derek Rang
Adam Rosen
Shotgun Spratling
| 2.5 |
March 18th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
[...] some other NL Central Predictions: Viva El Birdos (Cardinals), A Citizen’s Blog (Phillies), The Blue Workhorse, Bleacher [...]
March 18th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
The Cubs will be a laughingstock in my eyes if they do not run away with this thing. I know everyone thinks the Brewers may pose a threat, but as of now, the Brewers are merely posers. The Cardinals are old and have no help for the best hitter in baseball not named A.Rod. The Pirates will be the same old Pirates that could pose a threat to get to .500 for about a week in April and then take a nose dive. The Astros got a ‘roided up Tejada to put some juice in the “JuiceBox” in Houston, but other than Oswalt, I do not see the pitching depth needed to make a playoff run. The Reds are an average team at best and are several years away from becoming any kind of a red machine, much less a serious contender in the division.
March 18th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Why do you think the Brewers are merely posers? They have a legit young lineup, and if Ben Sheets can stay healthy, they have one of the top starters in the game. Gallardo was impressive last season and Suppan just finds a way to keep his team in nearly every start he makes.
March 19th, 2008 at 6:29 am
They just have not proven anything yet. I am not saying they are not talented. It is just that they have been this team on the rise for quite a few years now without accomplishing anything. Granted, they are no longer the laughingstock of the division, but they still have yet to make the playoffs. The National League is so strong top to bottom that I think the Brew Crew will be on the outside looking in come September and October.