Who will win the NL Central?

John F · March 30th, 2007, 01:40 PM

Well, Opening Day is just around the corner and I figure it's high time we put up a poll predicting division winners. You can skip this poll until later in the season but it will close around the end of the season...

So, who's in the best position to win the NL Central?

Sawman · March 30th, 2007, 01:49 PM

IMO, the Cubs spent a lot of money this offseason on free agents, and it filled some of their holes, but they've still got issues with the pitching staff and their lineup isn't completely without holes. Still, they look to be the better team on paper right now, although I think this will be the closest of all of the races.

JoseA · March 30th, 2007, 02:03 PM

Cubs, pretty much agree with Sawman.

We spent the big bucks this offseason and lured some major talent in (ex: Soriano). This year's starting pitching staff is looking pretty solid, and its nice to see this team is very strong on paper (but, that doesn't always count)

BMW · March 30th, 2007, 02:59 PM

I think the Cardinals are the obvious favorites, and they should be, but if there was a year where this division is up for grabs, this is it.

I like the Brewers chances in this division. I think they have the deepest rotation at this point, and the only thing that could truly derail this team's chances are if two of their SP's go down for an extended period of time. They have enough depth to hold strong if Ben Sheets were to go down, with Villanueva and Dessens in the pen, either could step in as a #5 pitcher, with Capuano moving to the role of the ace. A lot of people are also expecting a big year out of SP Dave Bush. Their lineup is younger but is solid all the way through. They have a strong hitting Catcher in Johnny Estrada, with veteran Damien Miller to help work the staff, especially in late inning jams. Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder, JJ Hardy and Bill Hall are all showing signs of improvement, and Hall should be the biggest improvement with moving to CF from SS, 2B and 3B. They lost a lot of players to injuries last season and are deeper this year with IF Craig Counsell, IF Tony Grafanino, OF Anthony Gwynn Jr., OF Gabe Gross.

I don't like the Cubs chances as much as everyone else simply because I don't see how they improved a great deal. They spent a lot of money on their rotation, but they don't have much explosiveness. Carlos Zambrano at the front end is almost a wash because of Carpenter, Oswalt, Sheets, Harang, shoot the Pirates are the only team without an ace. Rich Hill could have a good year, but may struggle with the 2nd year slump now that guys have seen him, Jason Marquis has been extremely average on a GREAT team, now he's extremely average on a lesser, yet still good, team. Ted Lilly, Wade Miller...there's just no spark. Mark Prior is a mental wreck with his injuries. And their lineup will improve with Derrek Lee back from injury, but I'm not sure how much Alfonso Soriano really helps. He is a great player, and would be absolutely dynamic as their #2 or #3 where he could drive in runs, but from the lead-off spot I'm not sure he does much better in setting up big innings than Juan Pierre did. He can hit a lot of solo HR's though...that and he's worse in the field than Pierre. They paid Soriano all that money, and they're not going to be much better for it.

Those are the two obvious choices for the division besides the cardinals, so I don't really feel the need to talk about the Cards, they are the favorites....but I think their rotation will get them in the WC race instead.

If you're going to have a problem, I prefer it to be in your lineup than your pitching staff, unless you have Murderer's row like the Yanks.....The Brewers are the one team in this division with that.

all4phillysportsfan · March 30th, 2007, 04:27 PM

I pick St. Louis because they are the defending champs, plus I don't see what the Cubs have done to overtake them. The Cubs pitching staff is definitely a question mark with Prior being optioned to AAA, and Kerry Wood being hurt. Wade Miller starting opening day makes me wonder what type of season it will be for the Cubbies.

Goose · March 30th, 2007, 06:14 PM

Cards, though Brewers and I guess the Cubs could surprise.

all4phillysportsfan · March 30th, 2007, 06:18 PM

I am hoping the Brewers make a run. That would be a nice story to see that young team get into the thick of the playoff race.

bedir than average · March 30th, 2007, 09:40 PM

I like any pitching staff anchored by Roy Oswalt. Jason Jennings is underappreciated and what he did in Colorado was good. Burke should ignite the offense while Lee backs up Berkman quite well. This club is solid in all facets of the game and they are the most likely to add an Ace of any club this season.

all4phillysportsfan · March 31st, 2007, 04:33 AM

No love for the Reds. They may have the best bullpen in that division.

View Poll Results: Which team will win the National League Central?
Cincinnati	0	0%
Chicago	2	18.18%
Houston	2	18.18%
Milwaukee	1	9.09%
Pittsburgh	1	9.09%
St. Louis	5	45.45%
Voters: 11. This poll is closed

March 30th, 2007, 01:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,510	Who will win the NL Central? Well, Opening Day is just around the corner and I figure it's high time we put up a poll predicting division winners. You can skip this poll until later in the season but it will close around the end of the season... So, who's in the best position to win the NL Central?

March 30th, 2007, 02:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
JoseA Moderator Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA Posts: 2,097	Cubs, pretty much agree with Sawman. We spent the big bucks this offseason and lured some major talent in (ex: Soriano). This year's starting pitching staff is looking pretty solid, and its nice to see this team is very strong on paper (but, that doesn't always count) __________________ Register here and join the discussion

March 30th, 2007, 02:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
BMW Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cape Coral Florida Posts: 830	I think the Cardinals are the obvious favorites, and they should be, but if there was a year where this division is up for grabs, this is it. I like the Brewers chances in this division. I think they have the deepest rotation at this point, and the only thing that could truly derail this team's chances are if two of their SP's go down for an extended period of time. They have enough depth to hold strong if Ben Sheets were to go down, with Villanueva and Dessens in the pen, either could step in as a #5 pitcher, with Capuano moving to the role of the ace. A lot of people are also expecting a big year out of SP Dave Bush. Their lineup is younger but is solid all the way through. They have a strong hitting Catcher in Johnny Estrada, with veteran Damien Miller to help work the staff, especially in late inning jams. Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder, JJ Hardy and Bill Hall are all showing signs of improvement, and Hall should be the biggest improvement with moving to CF from SS, 2B and 3B. They lost a lot of players to injuries last season and are deeper this year with IF Craig Counsell, IF Tony Grafanino, OF Anthony Gwynn Jr., OF Gabe Gross. I don't like the Cubs chances as much as everyone else simply because I don't see how they improved a great deal. They spent a lot of money on their rotation, but they don't have much explosiveness. Carlos Zambrano at the front end is almost a wash because of Carpenter, Oswalt, Sheets, Harang, shoot the Pirates are the only team without an ace. Rich Hill could have a good year, but may struggle with the 2nd year slump now that guys have seen him, Jason Marquis has been extremely average on a GREAT team, now he's extremely average on a lesser, yet still good, team. Ted Lilly, Wade Miller...there's just no spark. Mark Prior is a mental wreck with his injuries. And their lineup will improve with Derrek Lee back from injury, but I'm not sure how much Alfonso Soriano really helps. He is a great player, and would be absolutely dynamic as their #2 or #3 where he could drive in runs, but from the lead-off spot I'm not sure he does much better in setting up big innings than Juan Pierre did. He can hit a lot of solo HR's though...that and he's worse in the field than Pierre. They paid Soriano all that money, and they're not going to be much better for it. Those are the two obvious choices for the division besides the cardinals, so I don't really feel the need to talk about the Cards, they are the favorites....but I think their rotation will get them in the WC race instead. If you're going to have a problem, I prefer it to be in your lineup than your pitching staff, unless you have Murderer's row like the Yanks.....The Brewers are the one team in this division with that. __________________ BMW Green Bay Packers 14-4

March 30th, 2007, 04:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
all4phillysportsfan Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,630	I pick St. Louis because they are the defending champs, plus I don't see what the Cubs have done to overtake them. The Cubs pitching staff is definitely a question mark with Prior being optioned to AAA, and Kerry Wood being hurt. Wade Miller starting opening day makes me wonder what type of season it will be for the Cubbies. __________________ Philly Sports: The worst drought in America.

March 30th, 2007, 01:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sawman Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Riverside, Ca. Posts: 259	IMO, the Cubs spent a lot of money this offseason on free agents, and it filled some of their holes, but they've still got issues with the pitching staff and their lineup isn't completely without holes. Still, they look to be the better team on paper right now, although I think this will be the closest of all of the races.

March 30th, 2007, 06:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Goose Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aberdeen,Wa Posts: 1,190	Cards, though Brewers and I guess the Cubs could surprise. __________________ http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/843...idensigfd9.png

March 30th, 2007, 06:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
all4phillysportsfan Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,630	I am hoping the Brewers make a run. That would be a nice story to see that young team get into the thick of the playoff race. __________________ Philly Sports: The worst drought in America.

March 30th, 2007, 09:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
bedir than average Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 8,258	I like any pitching staff anchored by Roy Oswalt. Jason Jennings is underappreciated and what he did in Colorado was good. Burke should ignite the offense while Lee backs up Berkman quite well. This club is solid in all facets of the game and they are the most likely to add an Ace of any club this season. __________________ I'm sorry I left for a while. I needed a vaction, and then work changed substantially. I'm over 50 hour weeks, plus two hours a day of commuting time. A few weeks ago I launched my own blog about Seattle Sounders FC and Life in Puget Sound. I won't be by these parts often as my focus has changed. Sorry about the unannounced retirement.

March 31st, 2007, 04:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
all4phillysportsfan Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,630	No love for the Reds. They may have the best bullpen in that division. __________________ Philly Sports: The worst drought in America.