NL Central Preview
With the MLB season just a week away let’s take a whip around each division’s standings according to yours truly!
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Chicago Cubs
The 2023 Chicago Cubs were one of the most surprising stories in the MLB. The Cubs missed out on a Wild Card spot by one game. David Ross handled the managerial duties over the past four seasons and had to see some of his former teammates leave Chicago. Some were members of the 2016 World Series team first baseman Anthony Rizzo, third baseman Kris Bryant, and shortstop Javier Baez. Ross did a fantastic job leading the Cubs but lost his post as manager and now Craig Counsell, who was the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers will lead the club in 2024. Craig Counsell brings postseason experience to the Cubs. He will know how to guide the team through the dog days of the Summer and into September. Offensively, If shortstop Dansby Swanson gets back to putting up his usual numbers this will be a tough beat for any team in the MLB. Their pitching staff needed to be constructed better. I imagine there will be tons of potential moves to be made at the trade deadline.
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Cincinnati Reds
Manager David Bell has lasted longer with the Cincinnati Reds than I anticipated. My prediction was that he would be fired last season after a disappointing finish, but he ended up with an above .500 record. The 2023 season drew comparison to the 2021 campaign when the Reds had a strong season but came up short of the postseason. Unlike, in 2021 which was featured with a team that had veteran experience, last season was a younger team that Bell did a good job in leading. Shortstop Elly De La Cruz was a strong addition to the team last year, and if he puts up even better numbers he will be one of the best shortstops in not just the national league but the best in the MLB. Center fielder TJ Friedl and second baseman Matt McLain should provide strong balance to De La Cruz in the top of the lineup. I’m not sold on the Reds pitching this season and their bullpen is middle of the pack in the NL Central. I believe that will hold them back this season en route to a possible wild-card spot.
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Milwaukee Brewers
Pat Murphy has been the bench coach for the Milwaukee Brewers since 2015, and while Craig Counsell is now with the Chicago Cubs (which should make Brewers vs Cubs games must-see TV) Murphy will have his style in leading and time will tell if it fits the Brewers clubhouse. Having designated hitter Christian Yellich not in the field as often should help his offensive numbers. Shortstop Willy Adames has had an upward trajectory in the last couple of years and catcher William Contreras is going to be solid not just behind the plate, but in the batter’s box as well. What will hold the Brewers back this season and in par with the rest of the NL Central will be their pitching, trading Corbin Burnes was not a smart move it doesn’t send the right message to the rest of the clubhouse. Starting pitcher Freddy Peralta is all the Brewers have and while the pitching in the NL Central is not strong it’s telling that the Brewers have not tried to add some smaller pieces in their rotation to give them a better chance.
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St. Louis Cardinals
Manager Oliver Marmol was given a terrific roster last year and didn’t do much with it, as a matter of fact, they severely underperformed. It led many to think that first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and third baseman Nolan Arenado could be shipped off at the trade deadline last summer. However, that didn’t happen and now this leaves Marmol in a difficult and stressful situation which could lead to him being relieved of his duties if the Cardinals don’t perform to the ability that they are capable of. As you can guess the starting pitching on this Cardinals team is lousy and the bullpen aside from Ryan Helsley is nothing to write home about. All in all, this Cardinals team will yet again fall short of the postseason.
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Pittsburgh Pirates
Another year will come and go and the Pittsburgh Pirates will again be in last place in the NL Central, but this year will have a different feel. Shortstop Oneil Cruz, left fielder Bryan Reynolds, and third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes should perform well hitting in 1-3 holes in the order. Starting pitcher Mitch Keller will be a strong anchor in the starting rotation and closer David Bednar should draw tons of offers for more exciting prospects at the trade deadline. Young catcher Henry Davis will be a rookie of the year candidate and should provide tons of hope heading into next season. If all goes according to plan the Pittsburgh Pirates could be a name to look out for in a wild card hunt in 2025.
