With the exception of the Reds, who have made several notable moves, this hasn’t been an action-packed offseason in the National League Central. Cincinnati was a fourth-place team a season ago and is currently mired in a six-year playoff drought, but the club has made an earnest attempt to transform itself into a playoff contender since the 2019 campaign concluded. Mike Moustakas, Nick Castellanos and Shogo Akiyama have all come aboard in free agency to bolster the Reds’ position player group. Meanwhile, a rotation that was already strong in 2019 has tacked on Wade Miley to complement Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, Trevor Bauer and Anthony DeSclafani, and the bullpen has pulled in Pedro Strop.
The Reds only won 75 games last year, but at last check, the majority of MLBTR voters expect them to amass 80-some victories this season. In the NL Central, where there doesn’t appear to be a dominant team, it may only take 80-plus wins to claim the division. The Cardinals’ 91 led the way last year, but they’ve made no truly headline-grabbing acquisitions in recent months, they’ve lost outfielder Marcell Ozuna to the Braves and now one of their most reliable starters, Miles Mikolas, is dealing with arm troubles early in the spring.
Along with the Cards, the 2019 Central boasted two other plus-.500 teams – the Brewers (89 wins) and the Cubs (84). It wouldn’t be a surprise to see either team contend for the playoffs again this year, but it’s difficult to argue that they’ve gotten better since last season. The Brewers have made quite a few changes, especially in the infield (Brock Holt’s their latest pickup), but they also lost two of their best position players in Moustakas and catcher Yasmani Grandal earlier in free agency.
The Cubs, meantime, have been stunningly quiet for a deep-pocketed team that collapsed down the stretch in 2019. Seismic changes were expected after they laid an egg last year, and maybe they’ll still come (a Kris Bryant trade seems like the most realistic way to shake things up). For now, though, their roster looks a lot like the 2019 edition. There’s still plenty of talent on hand, but there’s no more Castellanos, who emerged as one of the Cubs’ main threats at the plate after they acquired him from the Tigers prior to last July’s trade deadline.
Aside from the Pirates, who are more likely to compete for the No. 1 pick than a playoff berth this year (and whom we’ll leave out of this poll), it wouldn’t seem unrealistic to pick any of the NL Central’s teams to win the division. This year’s PECOTA projections (via Daniel Kramer of MLB.com) have the Reds grabbing the division with 86 wins and the Cubs totaling 85 en route to a wild-card spot. The system gives the Reds 66.2 percent preseason playoff odds, the Cubs 51.5 percent, the Cardinals 24.4 percent and the Brewers 20.3. We still have several weeks to go before the season opens, but as of now, which of those clubs do you think will finish on top?
(Poll link for app users)
Isn’t it easy? It’s clearly going to be the Pirates.
I have the mortgage bet on the Bucs. Can bet on em but can’t pick em in a pool. Go figure……
Probably not. But I personally think the Reds are going to be the team to beat with that rotation. They have 3-200 strikeout pitchers with a possible 4th if DeSclafani pitches 200 innings. Add Wade Miley as your 5th starter and that is a top 3 rotation in the NL.
Except the cardinals are the team to beat
came to say the same. Clearly the pirates.
seriously… If less goes wrong this year than the past few years.. i don’t think they’ll be in last. If everything goes right.. .500 is not out of the realm….
And that is the shame of that for Pirates fans.This crown is there for the taking.If the Pirates could have signed some pitching this year if last year was not so bad they would be in a five team jumble.That is a lot of ifs but is the reason that NH changed course and traded three good young players for a pitcher who he mistakenly believed was an ace.
The current regime gave up early if they could have lured some pitchers this way.Even without them,though,if Kuhl and Santana come back well and they avoid injuries this year they could have contended with Marte in centerfield.
A lot of ifs but that is the way of hope for Pirate fans.
I agree, would have kept Marte till the trade deadline. Pitching staff could have lived up to potential and if Bell started hot he could have carried the team.. Nutting would have available money to pick up some salary dumps of non contenders.
I agree, would have kept him till the trade deadline. Pitching staff could have lived up to potential and if Bell started hot he could have carried the team.. Front office would have available money to pick up some salary dumps of non contenders.
I agree, Site won’t let me comment since I have commented on this before.
Anyone else having this issue?
It saw that you said the same thing twice and probably would not allow it again.I have done that before also.
Let’s be realistic now…
not the Cubs…
Man, people really don’t value the Brewers. They surprise people every year and I think its time we give them the benefit of the doubt.
EXACTLY!!!!
Finally….a reasonable Yankee fan!
Us Yankee fans aren’t that unreasonable anymore. We are now in the rise of the Houston Assterisks era.
I relished us being a universally hated team, but after what we’ve learned this winter I am all to eager to pass the award
Some of you, like you and PinstripedPride, aren’t. The fact that there are more of you than there were before makes it harder to hate the Yankees. Stop it. Let me go back to baseball as I knew it. lol.
The Astros might as well just change their name, because they’re forever going to be called the “Asterisks.” Even have the symbol and all…… *
They don’t because they still have a lack of starting pitching, but they have a good bullpen and they can score a lot of runs. However, even if you got a good bullpen and can score a lot of runs, you generally will not go far without a reliable starting rotation. There are some exceptions, however. On the other hand, I think they deserve more respect than they are getting.
The Royals won a world series with a trash rotation, great defense and solid offense. Having a great bullpen can cover it up, if managed properly.
Well the brewers rotation really doesn’t look too promising this year so…
Neither did their rotation the last two seasons and they still managed to make the playoffs both years. I think this years rotation actually has more upside than the previous two and even though they lack the big name position players their depth is impressive and should cause match up issues for opposing teams every night.
With that said, this division is pretty solid 1-4 so I think the first team to 92 wins takes the pennant.
Brewers never get respect because small market teams (they are the smallest) never get any media support. Plus pitching is suspect but Knebel will be back and if House takes the next step they have enough depth in pen to win again. Reds should be favs with Cards and Brewers right behind. Cubs still suck
Their starting pitching is absolute dogshit for a playoff caliber team though.
Am I the only one that thinks that the 28 man Septemeber roster is going to damage the Brewers more than any team in baseball? They were lights out the last two season using the Little League approach by using relievers the whole game. That won’t happen being able to add just an arm on Sept 1? Counsell managed the last two seasons brilliantly. Just don’t see the same playing out this year.
They surprised people ONE year (in 2018). They underperformed expectations last year following a great 2018 and then lost even more of their key players this offseason and did an awful job of replacing that production.
Thames will be missed big time. Platoon dinger men are valuable.
Pirates arent even an option haha
say what you will, but until the reds actually prove on the field they can win, the cardinals and Cubs are still the teams to beat. “on paper” means very little
Kinda like the 2015 Padres. On paper looked great… on the field? Well… you know.
There’s one every year. The Carl Crawford Red Sox Special.
Pirates made the wild card game. Sean Rodriguez was complaining over a pitch that was right how the middle
You are spot on. Reds were supposed to be better last year too. Cards and Cubs are teams to beat. The predicted 86 and 85 wins are too low I see minimum 90 wins for top two teams
Cubs? With that aged starting pitching? And no pen? It won’t be their year.
They still have great hitters they will be in it and I’m a cards fan.
I don’t even know that they look that good “on paper.” They have a good collection of hitters, but defensively they are going to be (I’ll be nice) interesting to watch. I could be surprised, I have been before and will be again, but I just don’t like what the Reds have done this offseason.
Well, let me rephrase. I do like that the Reds are actually trying to do something this offseason. I am just not a fan of the route they have taken.
Cardinals are more well rounded than the reds
No.
Yes
Perhaps.
Yes there offence will put up round numbers on the board. The Cardinals are not even a play off caliber ball club. If they miraculously make it to the Post season, they will easily be eliminated rather easily by the stronger teams
Lol based on what? They return good pitching and great defense right off the top. Losing Ozuna is overblown when he’s really only a 2.5-3 WAR player and the defensive metrics haven’t caught up with how bad his defense is declining.
Between the crop of young options, specifically with Carlson as the highly touted backstop at AAA, they should be able to manage similar or better overall production from LF. Tyler O’Neill has nothing left to prove at AAA and has the raw power to reach 30 HR with a similar batting line to a guy like Randal Grichuk. He’s got better minor league numbers at every spot than Grichuk and far better OBP ability. He’s already above average defensively and like top 10 in MLB in foot speed, so he adds value on the bases to boot. If he ends up with an OPS of .800 or better, then he’s a 3+WAR contributor easily.
That is some corny chit! Lol O’Neil sucks man. Know much? Let’s start by mentioning 110 whiff’s in 271 at bats. End of conversation.
Amen to your assessment of O’Neil!!! The Cards sure don’t need another player starting who strikes out 45% of the time
Cubs………………….92 Wins
Cardinals………..88 Wins
Reds…………………83 Wins
Brewers…………82 Wins
Pirates,,,,,,,,,,,,60 Wins
Reds 83???? Cubs 92?? literally how. You’re telling me the cubs go from 84 wins to 92 after the horrid offseason they had? while the reds finish with 83 while having the best rotation and their massive offseason overhaul. yeah i’ll believe it when i see it
the Cubs underperformed and might do better with a fresh face at the helm. maybe not 92, but they have the talent to win the division.
You people are insane.
Seemed like one of the more rational comments on this thread to me
Why was it horrid? They didn’t need to add much. They got low budget arms. And a few veterans.
The reds added alot but they also have to shot and the white sox wont come close to 80 wins.
The Reds completely underperformed as well last season. That being said, and as a Reds fan it pains me to say it, but the Cubs are still the most talented. They have the highest ceiling of the division. I see them winning 90-93 games and the Reds in 2nd with 86-89 wins. Cards close behind and Milwaukee just behind them
You just hate on the Cubs everywhere. They’re probably still the best team in the division by a smidge. 4 quality teams at the top and none are loaded. Close division.
Cubs are going to underachieve again lol It’s what they do best. For them to win 92 games Jon Lester must have 18 wins. Ain’t gonna happen chief.
And you’re the biggest idiot who trolls the Cubs, perhaps some day you’ll grow up !!
YOU ARE AN IDIOT
stick to the SUX
I agree with you
As if you were supposed to say something good about the Cubs. No matter how much noise the White Sox** seems to do, nobody seems to care about them. I don’t bother to read news or articles regarding them. You seem to care a lot of the Cubs since you comment in all their articles. Good or bad comments, I do like that a misunderstood Sox fan like you make the Cubs important. People like you keep them in the radar as the Yankees, Dodgers and Red Sox. Love’em or hate’em, keep commenting…Thank you!!!
The Cubs underperformed. How long will Cubs fans keep giving that excuse? Maybe, just maybe, they’re not that good?
Cubs rotation is mediocre and bullpen sucks. No the cubs dont win the division or make the playoffs. Pirates last. Reds 2nd. Cubs 3rd. Brewers 4th. Cardinals win the division again because they have the deepest pitching staff in the division by far. Best bullpen by far. Defense has been shored up and is very very good. Offense will do enough. Then they’ll prob get beat in the playoffs. This is my honest opinion not just rah rah.
I think he’s pretty close. I think the Reds are 4th. And the Cubs underperformed by approx. 6 wins via most projection systems based on their stats. I do think it’s a dab high, gimme 90 wins
I think like last year people are way overreacting to the Reds offseason. I have them 4th at 82 wins
Reds best rotation I think the Dodgers might argue that.
lester older
yu is a ?
hendricks is not an ace
your entire bullpen is gone minus kimbrel.
stop being a meatball.
Cards 89 wins
Reds 86 wins
Cubs 84 wins
Brewers 79 wins
Pirates 68 wins
I think this is more accurate. Everyone loves a rise from ashes story but really until the reds start playing I’m not a believer.
Reds. 89 wins
Cards. 88 wins
Brewers. 82. Wins
Cubs. 80 wins
Pirates 69 wins
Boy are you going to be disappointed!!
Get familiar with the player’s around the league so you can get a better understanding about championship teams.
Reds easily win the central
Cubs list Maddon. Please mention this pain.
What ru smoking Johnny, typical Cubs fan they win one WS and they think it a dynasty haha
Was expecting a fifth option for “some other team”
It’s going to be STL. it’s always STL. they’ll win 89 games and win the division and everyone will yawn.
The Cards are always my choice because of their unparalleled consistency of being a quality, balanced team every year. As a Pirates fan, I hate the Cards not because they’re always a good team but because it’s pretty robotic, almost inhuman, to have seemingly the same high quality end result when the season’s over for decades now. Then I realize I’m a Pirates fan and my team has had almost equal consistency on the other end of the spectrum for decades and my anger turns to exasperated acceptance.
Well the Cards are treated as a small market team and get the same benefits as the Pirates and Brewers while carrying a top 10 payroll yearly..
Yeah they’re still about the 19th sized market, so they shouldn’t be lambasted for spending above that threshold.
I love when all the Cubs Haters come crawling out from beneath their rock.
No one likes the Cubs unless your from Chicago . And then only half of Chicago likes the Cubs.
Go WhiteSox !
@ Payne- are you going to sit here and honestly try to say the cubs don’t have a massive national fanbase while also trying to imply that Chicago is split 50/50 between the cubs and sox? what’s wrong with you?
Can’t figure out which part of this ignorant statement is more hilarious. The Cubs only have fans in Chicago or that half of Chicago likes the White Sox. The numbers and the facts obviously squash both of those. Oh, these poor, pathetic, predictable and thirsty White Sox fans. It would be funny if it weren’t kinda sad… nahhhh, it’s still funny. Yet another post that has nothing to do with them, yet it’s littered with Northwest Indiana White Sux fans.
If they obsessed over their own team as much as the Cubs their attendance/ratings numbers wouldn’t be so embarrassing and maybe they wouldn’t be a poverty franchise that their owner has to threaten to move to TB. LMAO
People want baseball, not Dancing with the Stars (old lady stuff, real old). Just like that SNL skit, “I hear someone’s having a birthday!”
I must be a real bad Chicago citizen. I like both teams. That being said give Sox another year. They will pass both Twins and Indians in 21. Cubs will win 88-90 this year. Will be at top or second place. I disagree that 85 will take a wild card or 86 wins takes this division. One bad deal like Heywards has really hamstring this team Also watch for Cubs young arms come thru in the pen this year.
Half Chicago likes the White Sox? It’s like 80% Cub fans, at least the Chicago metro
If half of Chicago liked the White Sox, then their fanbase wouldn’t put more effort into hating the Cubs than they do liking their own team.
Five and a half million fans at the parade proves you to be an idiot on both the ridiculous points you are trying to make.
I love when Cubs fans refer to everyone who dont think the Cubs will win 90 games as “haters”
Kimbrel sucks. When Lee finally got into HOF MLB network showed a stat comparing the amount of times Lee faces batters when he came into games and comparing Kimbrel stats. Lee came into games with men on base like 450 times. That # may be off lol, anyways, Kimbrel came into games with men on like 3 times. And Kimbrel only pitches the 9th.
Kimbrel closes games which is a uniquely difficult thing to do well. I am for the Tigers and I’ve seen them enlist great arms who fail time after time in the 9th.
Respect is due for Kimbrel. If you like betting, then put money on him getting 30+ saves with an ERA south of 3.5. Not world burning anymore but still decent.
I think many are making the mistake of seeing the many moves made by the Reds as putting them ahead. Look at the rosters. Reds are still worse than the Cubs and Cards.
You said look at the rosters, so let’s do just that.
1b: definitely Rizzo in 2020 over Votto
2b: Moose easily better then Kipnis
Ss: easy win for Baez over Galvis
3b: gotta go Suarez over Bryant. It’s close, but Reds get that one
C: Contreras is better offensively then Tucker
Of: give me Nick, Shogo and Senzel instead of Kyle, Happ, and especially Heyward
So I have 3 to 3 on position (taking OF as one). However starting pitching is the key. If you can honestly say that you would pick the 5 Cubs starters over the Reds 5, you are being biased. The Cubs will be better then last year with a new coach, so I’m not saying they suck. Just that I disagree that the Cubs roster is definitely better then the Reds atm.
You disagree because you are absolutely correct!
you have to do a more in depth assessment than that DeadP.
but let’s start where we disagree
3B- I agree its closer than many would have predicted several seasons ago. However, with Bryant’s track record, pedigree, and heightened incentive to perform with Free Agency looming, coupled with Suarez’ injury, you would be mad to choose Suarez here.
OF- its interesting you chose to frame it in this context instead of each individual position, but i’ll be polite and stick with your format. Schwarber isn’t nearly as bad of a defender as people make him out to be, but the bat appears to be legit. his batted ball profile along with his exit velocities and % of balls barreled were elite in the 2nd half, where he was one of the top bats in the entire league. The guy remained selective with a great walk rate, and he was never a player devoid of contact in the minors. He is still relatively young, so the smart money is a hitter with his eye has finally gotten it to click on a consistent basis ( you have to atleast admit he’s always shown flashes of brilliance).
Happ was one of the teams best hitters upon being called up from the minors last year, was a former top prospect, and is still young. He has had his ups and downs, but the guy just posted an .898 OPS last season. Though he currently strikes out too much for my liking, even as the flawed player he currently is he still is an above average offensive player who can run the bags, play a solid center, as well as line up in other places over the diamond. Plus progress isn’t always linear, so a Schwarber like leap isn’t out of the question with his talent.
Heyward provided his usual great D and base running as well as league average offense last year. Though if you remove his numbers from the leadoff spot, a place Maddon continued to bat him even though he openly stated time and time again he doesn’t feel comfortable there, he had an .876 OPS. He barreled the ball well when placed anywhere outside of the 1 spot on a lineup card, and chances are Ross listens to him instead of Maddon taking a Draconian approach and forcing him to hit lead off.
Though I don’t hate the reds outfield, I think Senzel at best is just as unproven as Happ, with Happ having the advantage of having 2 stints in the majors where he was an above average hitter. I like the Shogo signing, but he is completely unproven and a 31 yr old without plus speed to fall back on in centerfield is a bit concerning. I’m not sure its smart to take him over any of the cubs top 3 OF’s (4 if you count KB since he always starts some games in the corners) given the aforementioned facts. Nicky 2bags was amazing for us in the 2nd half and I’m glad he got paid. I like his bat in that park, but is he really an elite hitter like he showed when he came to the cubs? his defense and base running are somehow worse than Schwarbs despite having decent speed. If his bat isn’t great, I’m not sure its such a surefire signing, and he really isn’t an upgrade if that’s the case.
SP- we can disect this more in depth if you’d like, but i would give the reds an edge here. outside of Darvish’a injury riddled 2018 and the beginning of 2019, he’s been an ace his entire career. the man is a freak of nature, and with his 8 pitches he will most likely continue to be the all time MLB leader in K’s per 9 ip as a starter. He’s back. Hendricks is quietly a borderline all star. There’s nothing more to be said. Sadly, Q has regressed. He was a de facto number 2 during his days with the sox. now he’s a 4. My only hope is that he puts up a great year since he will be a free agent. Lester is in the twilight of his career, but I believe there is still gas left in the tank of the former ace, and you know he will give you competitive innings and take the ball every 5th game. The 5th starter isn’t something I’m overly concerned with. I think a competition is healthy, and it will bring the best out of the 5 candidates. Again, I prefer the reds rotation on paper, but Bauer comes with a fair amount of question marks, and you never know what you’re getting out of Sonny Gray with his up and down on again off again seasons. Love Castillo though! Amazing talent and still underrated in a lot of circles. Anthony D is solid as well, though lets not forget he had nearly an ERA of 5 a year prior, and his FIP last yr was half a run worse than his ERA. He’s no sure thing; call him a less reliable version of Quintana. Wade Miley stuck around the league after being shelled for 4 years, and he somehow relearned how to pitch for the brewcrew and then parlayed that into a deal on a loaded stros team. Maybe he did figure it out, or maybe his smoke and mirrors catches up to him and he gets shelled. He’s honestly not some legit starter people are making him out to be. His FIP was a lot worse than his ERA, and that doesn’t bode well on a reds team with not a very strong team defense. All in all, it wouldn’t surprise me if the cub’s starters outperform the reds (outside of Castillo of course).
BP- we can get into this, but I think there’s enough food for thought here
Saying Schwarber is not as bad defensively as people think he is is about as ridiculous a comment as I’ve seen. Talk about dreaming. Cubs still have most irrational fans but that’s what makes kicking your butts back to that stinky field worth it!
Stats in baseball tend to tell the story. Schwarber was tied for 12th in the NL for outfield assists last year, same as Christian Yelich, dude. The only Red on the list was somebody named Winker who was tied for 15th…and don’t care what you think about Wrigley or if you ever visit the confines. I think your announcer, the younger Brennaman disagrees. Saw him heading into a bar near Wrigley after a game last year after your team lost and he looked pretty happy.
Stats in baseball tend to tell whatever the arguer wants them to tell. You can find at least one stat that backs up nearly every reasonable argument you can make. I emphasize reasonable there.
BTW, some people could argue that outfield assists are misleading as well. It means that those with a high number of assists are the ones that runners are more comfortable running on. A guy with a gun in right could have very few assists because people don’t run on him. In other words, outfielders with weak arms get more chances at assists.
“Outfielders with weak arms have more assists”.
Well, now you’ve just downright proven that you’ve never seen Schwarber play a single game. So not only are stats not in your favor, but neither is the eye test. Schwarber is a former catcher, he’s far from a “weak arm”. Try watching some of his assists for once.
That’s along the lines saying a CB who gets 7 INT in a season is good but he gave up 24TDs thrown his way. If teams respected his defense more, they wouldn’t run on him.
he isn’t. most people view him as one of the worst defenders in the game, and he is not. he is clearly below average, but he isn’t Manny Ramirez like people claim. also, great job for addressing only one point. how could i ever compete with an intellectual giant such as yourself? furthermore, what does wrigley have to do with anything? are you going to try to a actually engage with what i’m saying, or are you just going to felate yourself with your own vomit?
@ hi- you’re literally arguing against the use of statistics for analysis. i honestly don’t even have to say anything here. i rest my case.
though for the record, i don’t believe in just pure numbers. there are other variables that you can’t properly quantify. but you do realize the teams who are using heavily statistic based models are crushing teams who tend to disregard stats? nearly every front office places a heavy emphasis on them at this point in time, and there’s a good reason for that. also, my post wasn’t limitted to strictly statistics. so you took a bit of a lazy approach as far as discrediting goes
Northside, I love some of your well thought out points. I would definitely say that Senzel has to prove what he can do, but I feel he (with health) can have similar results to Happ, or maybe even Schwarber. I definitely would think that Schwarber and Happ are not the offensive players that Nick Castenellos is. However as a life long Tigers fan i dread his defense in Cincinnati. If (and I know it can be a big if) Shogo’s ability translates across the pond, he is the catalyst. Guy just gets on base. With that being said, you can definitely make an argument either for the Reds or the Cubs in the outfield.
However that is where my agreements come to an end. If you have been watching both the Cubs and the Reds the last 2 seasons, you would see that there has been a shift on who is better at the hot corner. Suarez is on the cusp of being an elite player with support. He has been locked in at almost every at bat. He outhit Bryant by most measures. Also his defense has somehow gotten better. He will have plenty more RBI chances this year then last, and it is not like Bryant will have a better table setter then he did last season. Although I agree Maddon killed you guys batting Heyward first.
All in all this will be an exciting season for both Reds fans and Cubs fans. One thing I do like to point out to Cubs fans though is the Reds were 11-8 against the Cubs in 2019. A team that was not as good as this year’s version. And the Cubs are basically the same version as last year. It will be fun times.
Id take the reds pitchers over cubs yes… But id take cubs offensive line up over reds more then id take Bauer/Castillinos/Gray over Darvish/Hendricks … You act like Gray and Bauer arent 2 of the most inconsistent pitchers in MLBs
First problem is that you penciled Kipnis in as their 2B. He’s not even on a major league contract right now. Bote or Hoerner are more likely to be starters over him at this point, and Happ is more likely to be there if Almora plays better.
Sorry, I was going by Rotochamp. I figured there was very little chance that Kipnis got the nod. I just went with the info available to me at the time. I would still take Moose over the current Cubs choices at 2nd.
Everybody hating on the Pirates till they surprise and get a playoff birth. heard it hear first folks.
people say this every year. maybe one day they will be right…maybe.
Yes, you usually do have to hear things first in order to have heard it.
You’re right bro one of their players wives will give birth during the playoffs but that’s as close as they’ll get.
Pirates will be slightly better than most people currently think but theres no way they make the playoffs with their pitching staff (rotation and bullpen). I’m guessing they will surprise people, but by winning 75ish games instead of 60ish.
The thing is, when you’re not a winning team, you sell off assets to improve the future. Take what you may think is the best Pittsburgh trade target and expect that player gone before the end of July.
I think this season there is about as good of a chance of one of the Pirates giving birth than earning a playoff berth.
Why the Cubs improved…….
Strop is gone……..he had about 20 blown saves…….there were some other Cubs relivers who should never be in the league blowing games for the Cubs earlier in the year,,,,,,
and Kimbrel will be more effective with a full spring training program……..he has a lot to prove.
Baez, Rizzo & Bryant all went down at once in September……..
Health is the key word for the Cubs in 2020……stay off the DL !
You can’t really improve if you don’t make additions to your team. There were no big signings and no good prospects set to debut for the cubs in 2020. You can’t call presumptions that players will player better an improvement
Who did the Nationals pick up last off season that lit the world on fire… Oh wait they lost Harper and added Suzuki and Gomes… Yup ,,, facts suck
right on
They also replaced Taylor with Robles and had Soto for the entire season.
Replying to Munkes above about the Nationals. Last offseason the Nats added Patrick Corbin and Annibal Sanchez to their starting rotation and Brian Dozier to their infield. And they picked up Daniel Hudson and quite a few others midseason.
That’s the problem with the cubs…they have no depth now…yes they did go down with injuries last year and that proved they have no depth..if a starter goes down for the cubs they are screwed and hey better hope the bullpen doesn’t get hurt…not to mention position players…name of the game is to have depth and the cubs don’t have it
Not sure you know what you’re talking about, cards man. Alec Mills came up last year as a starter, pitched a game I was at late last year, and did a nice job and will either be the 5th starter this year or will be the first call up when depth is needed. Righty Abbott will be ready soon as a rotation option as well and then Marquez, a 21 year old lefty who throws high 90’s, is another year to a year and a half away from the ML’s. So depth is there and finally some home grown starting pitching will be arriving soon.
Saw Hoerner play in that same game last year after he was called up and the guy proved the team has depth in the middle infield. He’s a line drive hitting machine and will be their long term answer at 2nd. He’s also from my alma mater, so I have to like him for that reason too, not that I like every athlete from my college. We’ve our fair share of famous adulterers, admissions cheaters, rapists, etc. LOL
Other top Cubs prospects in the pipeline -> bleedcubbieblue.com/2020/1/27/21082309/nico-hoerne…
@djmac…the cubs have done a better job at developing some talent but they have a lot to prove…those pitching prospects you mentioned have a lot to prove…Mills for example has to pitch consistently in the majors before a “nice job” proved to be legit…the other two Abbott and Marquez hasn’t proved anything…sorry but after watching them fail after they had major injuries last year I will still argue they have no depth
Strop wasn’t good last year but 20 blown saves is a major exaggeration. He blew 6. Kiimbrel blew 3 (2 in his first two appearances I think). Cishek had 4 and a multitude had 2. Wick was the most reliable of the bunch.
But I agree with your point. If the Cubs stay healthy and regain the ability to work as a team, they’ve got the talent to compete.
health? blame it on health? wow! did you see the brewers injuries? stop making excuses.
Health is certainly a factor and was a factor for the Cubs, but that’s the case for a lot of teams. It’s the best, most competitive division in baseball and I think the standings will reflect that in the end. All 4 have strengths and weaknesses. There’s no stacked NYY/LAD type team in this division.
Cubs – good rotation, not great. Below average pen unless A LOT of things go right. But also A LOT of young, proven talent in their lineup, a decent but not great bench. This core knows how to win, they’ve proven that, but will they get that hunger back? Who knows… X factor, Kimbrel has a full, proper spring to gear up for the season. Ross seems hell bent on getting the most out of these guys, not the resort/spa mentality Joe had. We’ll see, I don’t think any of these teams break 90 wins because they’ll beat each other up all year. 17-19 times each… yikes. 88 wins
Cardinals – Suddenly question marks in their rotation with Mikolas going down. The pen also affected IF Martinez can handle going back in the rotation and with Hicks down til after the AS break, who closes? What version of Hicks will even return and how sharp will he be? Still unproven guys in the OF. Losing Osuna hurts. I really thought this team was an ideal landing spot for Arrenado. Another proven, vet elite bat to compliment Goldy. That lineup just isn’t scary. Also, Wainright and Molina are yet a year older, Father Time is undefeated. X factor – Can Mikolas return at full health in May. This team always plays hard and the right way. 85 wins
Reds – Clearly the team that improved the most, BUT they also had A LOT of ground to gain. Their rotation is the best in the division. Their pen should be good, not great. Their defense is worse, but in sacrificing that, they really improved their lineup. Still some unproven guys, no way to tell how they’ll gel, but I think they have their 1st winning season in a long time. 83 wins
Brewers – Still don’t have an ace and their pen is weaker than it’s been in the last few years. The big changes are in their lineup. The opposite of the Reds, they lost a lot of firepower BUT their defense should be better. CC no longer has to force corner infield/DH types into skill positions. Cain is clearly on downside of the mountain that is his career and Braun and his back isn’t getting any younger (Father Time again) Yelich will be great once again, but I don’t think they added enough and lost too much to finish ahead of the top 3 teams over a 162 games. I don’t think they’ll be bad like Pittsburgh, BUT I do believe they’ll be in the worst place you can be in professional sports… the middle. 79 wins
Pittsburgh – Clearly in rebuild mode. I’d actually be a little surprised if Bell is even still there after the deadline. Not a likely extension candidate and Pittsburgh won’t risk letting him walk for nothing and the longer they hold him, the more his value drops. 64 wins.
Don’t disagree with you but the injury to Mikolas isn’t creating any question marks just solutions on who will replace him…now Martinez and KK make the rotation…I don’t think that makes it worse by no means…i will easily go out on a limb and say Ozunas production will easily be replaced by the rookies…over all though a good assessment of the NL central…plus the cubs better hope they stay healthy and that’s a big hope imo…almost time to find out lol can’t wait
Yeah, if the 4 records I predicted are flipped, it wouldn’t surprise me. It will be yet another fun summer in the NL Central. The more I analyze, the more I’m convinced that I have no idea what will happen. I wouldn’t bet a dime on it. I’m just glad to be a part of one of the fanbases of a contending team once again.
This statement right here couldn’t be more accurate. I wouldn’t be surprised if the division is decided by another game 163. Which two teams will play that game? Who knows? I’m just going to enjoy the ride like you.
1) Reds
2) Cardinals
3) Cubs
4) Brewers
5) Pirates
the only right answer
Reds: 90
Brewers: 88
Cardinals: 88
Cubs: 84
Pirates: 70
This is going to be a close race.
Lol pump the brakes. 90 win reds I don’t think so my friend.
so the reds add 15 wins because of a couple above average hitters who can’t play defense, an unproven OF from Japan, and a 5th starter who had a FIP a half a run worse than his ERA on a team who played some good defense and now comes over to a club that at best plays average D? this just doesn’t add up. i like their offseason, don’t get me wrong, but lets be a bit realistic here
1.Reds 92-70
2.Cardinals 89-73
3.Brewers 87-75
4.Cubs 82-80
5.Pirates 59-103
Pirates wont lose 100. I’ve seen 100 loss Pirates teams and there’s much more talent and desire on this team than the 100+ loss teams.
They will go 74 and 88.
i said Cards, but hard to sleep on any of these teams
No one and Anyone. ‘cept the Pirates.
Cvbs fans should be very worried about their bullpen and starting rotation. Their hitting lineup is suspect too. I guess eternal optimism is a by product of not really understanding the game.
so everything is terrible about the cubs and the white sox will win 130 games? sounds about right.
Every team in the NL Central has weaknesses. The Cubs have as much chance of winning the division as any other team does. No reason to be pessimistic unless they start losing.
I guess being a stereotypical Sox fan is having a supremacist belief in your own baseball knowledge and hoping that Cubs fans suffer through a losing season.
Your stupidity continues to amaze me every time I visit this site.
No wonder the White Sox are the red-headed stepchildren of Chicago..
So everyone that doesn’t drink the Koolaid is stupid? You saw how Lester and Kimbrel pitched, so don’t give me that crap. Castellanos, Hamels, Cishek and Strop are gone. The cvbs did nothing to replace them. They failed to upgrade their bullpen. They failed to address the lack of production from centerfield or 2nd base. They failed to add a solid contact hitter to leadoff, thus forcing an RBI producer into the role yet again. Cvbs don’t realize you score less runs with your best hitters coming to bat with nobody on base. But I digress. The cvbs have ignored or failed to address glaring needs yet again. And let’s not even get into the utter lack of depth throughout the big league roster and minor league system. But they’re still going to win the division because why? Life is just a fairytale once you’ve drank the cvbbie koolaid sprinkled with the magic pixie dust? Sure, and rainbow colored skittles fly out of my butt every time I sit down to take a ####.
I’m drinking the Reds Koolaid. I like their pitching. I love their hitting. And it’s time for them to shine again.
Cards have offensive and pitching holes.
Cubs don’t have enough pitching.
Brewers are a legitimate threat and my 2nd choice to take the division.
Cards don’t really have any pitching holes. They have a lot of good depth. Even with the loss of Mikolas for a month or two they will be better for it on my mind. I actually think losing Ozuna is a plus with the youth they have available in the Outfield. Cards management must have thought the same thing. I also really like the signing of KK the Korean lefty star. De Jong will be better offensively. Carpenter has to be better or they will punt on him by July, Dylan Carlson will be up in the bigs by June and Tyler Oneal, Lane Thomas, Justin Williams, and Tommy Edman will more than fill the Ozuna spot.
Okay – Reds? Not yet… it’s the Cards and Brewers competing this year. Reds might be third place and Cubs in fourth.
Reds pitching is better than the Cards.
And the Cubs dont play 81 games at GABP and it will be hard for Cubs fans to get tickets in Cincy in 2020.
Cardinals 90
Reds 88
Brewers 86
Cubs 85
Pirates 61
Have a feeling the Pirates are going to be really, really bad.
Second closest division in baseball to the NL East, in my opinion.
There is no possible way the NL Central ends up with four teams with 85+ wins. Try again.
It’s not likely but it’s more possible than you can imagine. That’s only 10 games over .500 for the entire division.
You’re probably right, but it did happen in 2008 when there were 6 teams in the division. You figure the team that underperforms and takes a big hit on the injury department say gets caught at 81-83 wins. Best guess would be the Cubs in that scenario. Brewers 2nd best guess losing Woodruff or Yelich for over half a season. They lost both for some time last season so it’s reasonable they can sustain with one of them being hurt a long time. Especially with the depth they’ve added.
A lot has happened, but sometimes an overachiever here, an injury there and its all out the door who is favored. On paper Cards, Reds, Cubs(I know they didnt do a lot, but still have some studs if pitching can keep them in games) and Brewers have decent core, all could contend. Pirates seem like the only team needing a miracle to make the playoffs. Should makes for some exciting series and late September games.
Time to put the calculators away and start actually playing! Reality begins!
Amen
I’d rather their be an option to pick the order of finish.
Reds
Cubs
Cardinals
Milwaukee
Pirates
The Reds. The Cardinals will keep it close.
The Reds seem like theyre only ones who want to win. The brewers at least added to replace the guys they’re losing. The two teams that had maybe the most embarrassing off seasons deserve third and fourth place.
Cardinals I believe did the smart thing…don’t get me wrong I hope they could have traded for Arenado but it’s not looking likely…but with Carlson about ready and Thomas, O’Neill, Bader, Williamson, not to forget maybe Edman…the cardinals are seeing who will step up… it that is six guys for two spots…I know you can’t count on rookies but if you have Carlson you believe he will replace Ozunas numbers…didn’t make sense for them to sign anyone in free agency…maybe Rendon but that’s about it
Reds 162-0
Cardinals 120-42
Brewers 110-52
Cubs 81-81
Pirates forfeit the season by all star break
Love how you didn’t even include the Pirates in the poll. I’m guessing it’s just Minnesota, Chicago, and Cleveland in the AL Central?
Well… Minnesota and Cleveland for sure.
Well if we are not counting Pirates are the win predictions based on a 143 game schedule? Even though they are destined to struggle, leaving them out of poll all together is a disingenuous gesture and shamefully disrespectful to the team and game.
Thank you
Well said Rico.
I love that that the pirates aren’t even an option in the poll
on paper Milwaukee is horrible
And on paper the Cubs should’ve won the last three World Series. What’s your point? Besides being a dewshcanoe?
Cards 92
Brewers 90
Reds 89
Cubs 85
Pirates 64
Cubs move Bryant mid-season.
Pirates trade Archer (has bounce back year finally), Josh Bell (Blue Jays or Red Sox, but has slightly less impressive numbers compared to last year. But good enough to get a organization top 5-10 prospect), Keola (Braves), and Polanco (Mets) in mid-season trades.
Cards make a rotation move mid season for a reliable starter like Chris Sale type. Possibly first time we see Archer staying in division with a move to St Louis in a “Chris Sale” type of pitching. Archer helps Cards to NLDS series before losing to D-Backs in 6 games.
My predictions for this season. I think Bryant goes to Washington or Yankees, dark horse Angels.
I understand why people are down on the Brewers this year, but I just can’t agree with it. The starting rotation is 6-deep with solid, proven players backed up by one of the stronger bullpens in the game. In my opinion, the Brewers have two of the highest upside players in the league on their roster in Luis Urias and Josh Lindblom. Urias is obvious, top prospect coming off a rough season but also one he steadily improved in before taking off late in the year. Lindblom has been an elite, Cy Young level pitcher for numerous seasons in the KBO. If Lindblom (0 WAR projected by pecota) translates at a rate similarly to Eric Thames (MVP in KBO to above average major leaguer), that could mean 2-3 extra WAR for the team.
And let’s not forget they still have the best player in the league.
When did the Brewers acquire Mike Trout!?
Reds had 30+ 1 run losses last yr, a ridiculous amount…not hard to imagine this number reduced substantially, and more wins on top of this as a result of a better offense. Reds 88+ wins.
The reds pitching will regress and their offense will improve…they’ll win 80ish and only way they win the division is if no central team wins more than 86…it’s all possible
Pirates fan that realizes 65 or 70 wins looks about right, so I’m rooting for the Reds. But this is the Cardinals, division
Houston Astros
It’s interesting watching people make predictions based on how impressive each team’s off-season was, as opposed to how good the end result projects to be. The Reds improving by 15-20 games? That’s… optimistic. Similarly, projecting the Cubs at anything less than 85 wins is assuming that their 2019 win total reflected their true talent level (Pythagorean says it didn’t), that their 2020 talent level is lower (ZIPs says it isn’t), and/or that their luck will somehow be even worse this year (odds are, it won’t).
no man you can’t bring any type of actual analysis here. only hot takes
They have this thing called Pythogorean W/L based on Runs scored vs allowed. The Reds underperformed by 5 games last season. Just meeting that projection they’d have been an 80-82 team last season. Meanwhile you have the Brewers who with Hader out performs that pythogorean number. Having them at 81-81. St. Louis for their part had a 92 win team that won 81. How’d Stl do it considering they had a below avg offense without one stud season from anybody? They outperformed their Fip byt the largest margin in baseball last season. 0.45 runs. Via Fip Cin had a miniscule better pitching season last year than Stl did. So one team was fairly lucky, and the other team didn’t get the same results.
MAP77 I think the Cubs are gonna be better then people think as will the Brewers! The Reds have added offense and that will definitely hell in that ballpark but I still feel that the Cards are gonna be the team to beat! It’s just my opinion and it’s not worth anymore than anyone else’s!
The Reds got our attention by spending money but that’s no guarantee they’ll be any better. What if Votto continues his Notto and Shogo is a Nogo. Which Miley do you get? An injury or downturn for Castillo or Gray and there’s trouble as their SP depth is shallow. Less HR’s from Suarez and those K’s will loom large. Overall defense is suspect and there’s no young core fighting together or clear on field leadership in the dugout. On top of all that, the jury is still very much out on Bell’s managing and with an unsettled outfield, guys playing new positions or no positions, balancing his incessant need to tinker with doing what the computer tells him will be a challenge to say the least. Sure Moose and Nicholas will add some offense but so many other things have to go exactly right or it’s all for naught. Eventually the Reds are gonna have to build a team around a young core for sustained competitiveness and that ain’t happening. Hope they can win NOW.
They have a young Core and good leadership. The jury is still out on Bell. Suarez is in his prime and has improved every year. The only place their defense is suspect is RF, where I assume Castellanos will be playing. He improved drastically defensively last year and should continue that trend. They have one of the best rotations in the National league and perhaps the best pitching coach. The have 2 young arms in Nick Lodolo and Tony Santillan that could end up getting some starts if injuries occur and Tyler Mahle has a lot of potential and is still young. They don’t need or expect Votto to have an MVP caliber year, they just need him to do what he does and get on base. Even if Shogo drops 20 to 30 points off his batting average and OBP he will still be solid. Also, let’s not forget about Jesse Winker, who mashes right handed pitching. Who knows who will win the division, there doesn’t seem to be a clear cut favorite. However, I do think the Reds are a legitimate contender for the Central not only this year but for the next 3 years or so as well.
Why is the whole division not listed? I mean, I get it but is it that hard to at least add a couple more bullet points? Jesus
Because Connor Byrned the Pirates.
Cardinals
I just dont see how the cubs lose the division next year. It took injuries and a major collapse for the Cards to squeak by. It’s true they’re not very deep, but man that’s a talented roster. If they stay healthy they’re still the team to beat … sadly.
What a great collapse for the Brewers. Who didn’t have Yelich all of September. Who’s best pitcher missed 1/3 the season. 2nd best RP missed the entire season. Who had historically bad SS production. A God Awful 3b last season. Half of 1b.. Realizing Jimmy Nelson career as a Significant SP was over After injury removed him from an on the rise top 10 Cy Young candidate. But go ahead think the Cubs injuries are what kept them from winning the division.
i credit the brewers with being much more innovative than the cubs. Counsell gets so much use out of the expanded roster in Sept, and the brewers had a .600 winning % in one run games. its frankly annoying watching them scrape by with a lesser roster than the cubs or cards, but i have immense respect for it at the same time. it will be interesting to see if their smoke and mirror approach with pitching is sustainable over the long all. i feel like you guys should have tried to keep Grandal. the crew has certainly made the division more entertaining the last several years
Thank you for being objective. Who says 11B’s are dumb?
I was talking about the cubs collapse not the Brewers. You know, since they went 20-7 in September and made the playoffs. I feel that the Cubs injuries did lead to their collapse and you can say the Brewers were able to overcome theirs and that’s fair, but I just feel that their roster has gotten worse. The Brewers seem to overachieve while the Cubs underachieve so who knows. I mean that’s why they play the game. But you can’t deny the talent on the cubs roster.
As a lifelong Cardinals fan I can honestly say this: the Comedy Central is back. The Reds are most improved (by far), but none of these teams deserve to make the playoffs. Sadly, one will.
Brewers have best position player and closer
Nothing else outstanding
Cards have nice well rounded team will be at top or right there all season
Have to see Reds play to know last year was supposed to be their year too
Cubs have Bryant Rizzo Báez Schwarber Contreras if can get production out of rest of lineup and staff will be first or second
Cubs or cards for the division reds and brewers pretenders to the throne
Keston Hiura says hello with the bat.
Cardinals are definitely winning it. They have so much pitching it’s insane. Bats might take a slight step back, but I could see them trading for a bat at deadline. Teams are generally more willing to if they’re in first as opposed to 2nd or 3rd.
Still see the brewers at 2 and the 3rd spot will be a battle. Reds have done damage vs cubs the past two years. I could honestly see the cubs finishing 4th. If things break right, a shot a the WC, but hey that’s baseball.
Kept the Bucs out of the poll?? That’s total disrespect to all pirates fans. Already deal with enough of Nutting’s cheap ass and now this?? The reds are the reds and will always be the reds. Remember the hype that surrounded them coming into spring training last season??
i’ve been to, watched, and listened to st louis road games where more fans were for st louis than the home team. can’t say that about the cubs.
I can’t believe you had the audacity to leave the Pirates out of the poll when they are in the division. Once again this is why MM baseball will always be behind the NFL. Every year every team clearly has a chance in football. You guys suck.
You think they would of learned their lesson when they left the Mets off their poll in 69. Not that the Pirates have much of a chance at winning, but are they going to leave Mia Bal Det KC Sea off their polls? Will they have a NL West poll? If so will the Dodgers be the only choice?
All three of the Brewers, Cubs, and Reds lack any sort of pitching depth beyond their starting staff and bullpen (with pretty weak pens to go around), so that in my mind is what is going to determine this race. The Cardinals are set up to succeed over the course of the entire season better than the rest of the division, so I think they are going to edge out a close one with three teams battling for second place and the second wild card spot behind Arizona.
NL West Poll
0 LA
0 LA
0 LA
0 LA
AL EAST POLL
0 NY
0 NY
0 NY
0 TB
Here is a idea. Pirates can just trade all their players and sit back and collect revenue sharing. Work on building up their team and MLbtraderumors can email them when they can start playing again. Manfred screw your new playoff system idea. Just let MLBtraderumors pick the playoff teams.
I really want it to be by Cubs but I have a little doubt right now. this is basically the same team that they fell apart in Lost with last year minus the one guy that was actually doing hitting.
We still have the same aging rotation. We might be good if we had some good hitting.
We have the same outfield so he’s had for years. J-hey took us aside and gave us the talk that won the world series so he’s worth all of his money. The only thing is he’s not hitting worth anything.
I do like Contreras as a good catcher but we’ve always had a veteran backup for him and they’re gone now. I see Victor caratini getting a lot more play time here in the future and Wilson being shipped.
We lost big Ben so our infield will look different. Who’s our second baseman again and why do we still have Daniel descalso.
Lastly I want to apologize if I spelled any of the players names wrong.
Cubs are my 2nd favorite team, but I doubt it’s them. They won only 84 games last year and didn’t do anything of note to improve, while the Reds got much better. There’s still a little time to make trades, but they passed on all the big opportunities to trade off expensive guys and sign free agents to fill those spots. I can see them finishing ahead of the Brewers, maybe even ahead of the Reds *or* Cards if bad luck or underperformance plagues them, but not ahead of everyone.
It’s a complete crapshoot with the Reds and Brewers having potentially the highest upside. The Cardinals being the most consistent. The Cubs have a very old and fragile Staff with out depth to reload.
Considering I’m a Brewers fan, and just about what could go wrong with them last season, did, but still made the playoffs. I’m going with Milwaukee as the surprise pick. Best Player in the Division resides on the team. While nobody flashy was a position player signing, they basically found a platoon system with good OB% to put out there daily. Urias the acquisition to replace Arcia, is already off to a delay, but should he be the batter he was in the minors over the batter Arcia has been the last 2 seasons, that is a massive upgrade in to the Brewers Lineup. The pitching is in a better place this season than it was heading in to last season. You find that 2019 Woodruff step up pitcher it may be a cakewalk to the division title, now having 2 to lead the way. What if they find 3?
i honestly don’t see the brewers upside. you lost a good bat in Moose, an excellent two way backstop in Grandal, and as much as you knock on the cubs pitching, the brewers starting staff looks pretty bleak in its own right. i think you will be competitive, but you’ve out performed multiple models 2 years in a row. can you cheat death a 3rd time? i don’t have much animosity toward the crew consider a lot of my buddies are fans (as well as Wisconites) and we just spent a year together on a deployment. but could you please expand on why you think their ceiling is so high? though i don’t see it as a likely outcome, the cubs still have the highest ceiling in the division, followed closely by the cards. with the pitchers on their staff throwing like their capable of, as well as the strong positional core playing to its potential, the ceiling of their roster is immense. however, i don’t see that happening, and if Darvish or Hendricks misses extended time then they will need to be top 3 in the league in scoring or they’re chum
Well the fact they’ve put together a platoon mix for their lineup equals .800+ Career OPS being matched up vs that days starters.
The team acquired Eric Lauer and Luis Urias for Davies and Grisham. I think the Brewers won that trade by a landslide. Urias to bat over Arcia as SS may change the results of this lineup drastically.
Grandal was a loss, but the catcher they got in trade Narvaez is bringing the similar style lumber, but poor defense. How bad we’ll find out. But if it’s passable, that Grandal loss isn’t much of one.
Keston Hiura will have a full season to likely battle Yelich for team batting title.
Pitching. Well Lauer is mentioned to pair with Woodruff. You have Hader, and Kneble who was closer in 2018 will return at some point. They nabbed the Cy Young version from the KBO league in Josh Lindblom. Maybe he works out. Brett Anderson if he remains healthy a full season provides a solid #4 pitcher. You’ve got 3 potential SPs battling for the #5 where the top 2 make great Bullpen Relievers. The 3rd was the teams best Pitching prospect heading in to 2018 who went 7-0 that year from the bullpen. He crapped out in 2019 yet word already in camp is he’s reestablishing his approach to throw more what ranks in the top 10 of baseball last season a slider over a crummy idea FB location that was mashed for HR after HR last year. Burnes. If not at SP, he has the history at 7-0 in 2018 to be elite in the bullpen.
The Starting Rotation will be rocky on paper, but when it comes to bullpen, they are loaded with whoever doesn’t make the starting rotation on top of Kneble/Hader to finish out games.
Cards are most consistent? Lol
I think you mean the Brewers and Cubs have been constantly going to the playoffs since 2016. Cardinals had three dismally poor seasons and missed the post season before breaking through last year.
Pirates pull a Cinderella story and win the division. Screw you MLBTR
If Trump was managing the Pirates, then yes, they would win it all, big time.
Brewers win 20 games in September to push their record to 89 wins. 11 of them against a Cincy team that’s grown stronger over the offseason. 15 against Pitt, and they’ll have to duplicate that.
Cards already having some injury buzz. Not certain they have improved. 12 wins against Cincy also, 14 against Pitt.
Cubs took a free fall in September and managed to play below .500 against Cincy going 8-11. Only 11 wins against Pitt.
This really could be Cincy’s year to take the leap.
Reds are my “wildcard” to win the division, as they have built themselves a nice little team. Brewers aren’t bad… but those cardinals always seem to find a way to win even in their bad years, and they actually have a solid team with really good pitching. So, I’m picking St. Louis
Total BS leaving the Pirates off the poll.
Reds have the talent to take the division, but the Cards find a way to be good pretty much every year. With that much experience and a possible further improvement from Flaherty, I think they take the division, but only by 3 games or less. Reds 2nd, Brewers 3rd, Cubs 4th, all within 10 games of first, and the Pirates a pretty distant 5th.
It’s pretty safe to say that it’s going to be a close race in the Central all season., at least 1-4 and it’s not like the Pirates are the Marlins. They will compete and maybe hang tough early. But I don’t think they have the depth to stay with the pack through September. Should be fun with several teams in the hunt.
I agree, would have kept Marte till the trade deadline. Pitching staff could have lived up to potential and if Bell started hot he could have carried the team.. Nutting would have available money to pick up some salary dumps of non contenders.
The Cubs had some bad luck last year or something. The Cards and Brewers do not look strong. I just can’t believe the Reds are that much better than last year. The Cubs are still the strongest team in the division–and I DO NOT like admitting that. HAHA
Cubs? Bad luck? Perish the thought
You can make a good argument for the Reds, Cards, or Cubs. That being said I’m a Reds fan, so I’ll predict the Reds win it, Cards come in 2nd, and in 100 year the Cubs will get another World Series win.
The AL is going to deport the Astros back to the NL Central next week.
Reds, Cards and Brewers will have good luck this year because the Cubs will be in their division to beat up on and pad their records
Cubs rotation is mediocre and bullpen sucks. No the cubs dont win the division or make the playoffs. Pirates last. Reds 2nd. Cubs 3rd. Brewers 4th. Cardinals win the division again because they have the deepest pitching staff in the division by far. Best bullpen by far. Defense has been shored up and is very very good. Offense will do enough. Then they’ll prob get beat in the playoffs. This is my honest opinion not just rah rah.
youtu.be/ZyixZlLSQ6U
Watch this video and you will realize why the Reds may become a runaway division winner in 2020. Keep in mind that they will become even stronger in a week or so when they trade a few of their blocked outfielders. Winker, Senziel, Aquino, Shogo and Castellanos can all be considered starting outfielders on just about any team. Bogart of Red Sox going to the Reds, or Lindor,and all while giving up none of their core player’s. Boys!! your looking at a two team race to the NL pennant beetween the Reds and Dodgers
Quite a dream. Lindor will be an Indian to start 2020 and Bogaerts will be a Red Sox. Also to think that the Red could get either player without costing core players is absolutely lunacy. What have you been drinking?
It went over your head snow flake
It went over your head snow flake