Bryan Steinkohl
Central
First Place - St. Louis Cardinals
With the addition of Mark Mulder, the Cardinals remedy their lack of a proven ace. That
is if this is the same Mark Mulder that started the All-Star game last year, and not the
pitcher with a second half ERA that hovered around 7.00. If Mulder can be consistent,
and if the other starters can replicate their overachieving from last year, the pitching
should dominate. If Larry Walker is healthy for a whole year and Albert Pujols can brush
aside his nagging off-season injury, the lineup is potent. And if the loss of Edgar Renteria
does not hurt their middle infield, the Cardinals should grab another NL Central crown.
That’s a lot of ifs…
Second Place - Houston Astros
After losing Carlos Beltran, no one thought it possible that Roger Clemens would return
for one more year. Yet, the Astros gave him eighteen million reasons to take the mound
once more as part of a strong starting rotation that will include a healthy Andy Pettitte
and a dominant Roy Oswalt. With Brad Lidge showing his dominance in the closer’s role
last postseason, the Astros pitching will be dominant. If Lance Berkman can return from
an off-season injury (an NL Central theme) and if Jeff Bagwell can reach into the
fountain of Youth, the Astros should contend because of their arms.
Third Place - Chicago Cubs
The key to the Central will be losses and injuries, and the Cubs are in the most danger of
all the teams. With spring training injuries to aces Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, combined
with the loss of Matt Clement to the Red Sox, the Cubs will be down and out quick
without a fast return from the injured stars. A healthy and happy Nomar Garciaparra will
have something to prove, but Jeremy Burnitz is not Sammy Sosa. The Cubs will also
need an injury-free season from perennial disabled-list mainstay Corey Patterson. If
injuries hit this team as they did last year, it won’t matter who is closing, nothing will
save them.
Fourth Place - Milwaukee Brewers
Trading your top talent is not a good thing for a team that is known for losing. With
weaknesses all around, there is one positive to watch for: a Cy Young caliber season from
Ben Sheets. They have a stocked minor league system, but that won’t help the major
league squad this season. They’ll be improved from last year, though.
Fifth Place - Cincinnati Reds
This team still has a horrendous pitching staff (with the likes of Eric Milton, Ramon
Ortiz, Paul Wilson, and Aaron Harang), so the key to the Reds’ season relies on the
health of Ken Griffey Jr. and his ability to protect sluggers Adam Dunn and Sean Casey,
rather than the other way around. Given Griffey’s track record of injuries over the past
few years, the chance of a consistent and healthy season is slim.
Sixth Place - Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates are a team with a good young nucleus and will be a contender in a few years,
but not this season. Look for continued growth from Oliver Perez and Rookie of the Year
Jason Bay as they develop into strong leaders, and with more financial flexibility sans
Jason Kendell’s contract, the Pirates are only a few years away.