A look at the division - NL Central

Two years ago, the NL West held the shameful title of the worst division in baseball, where the division champ struggled to top .500. This year, that honor goes to the NL Central, which is up for grabs to some degree.

Because I don't spend as much time on them, I'll go into a bit more detail here.

Chicago Cubs

Projected Lineup
Alfonso Soriano - CF
Matt Murton - LF
Derrek Lee - 1B
Aramis Ramirez - 3B
Michael Barrett - C
Jacque Jones - RF
Mark Derosa - 2B
Cesar Izturis - SS

Projected Rotation
Carlos Zambrano (R)
Ted Lilly (L)
Jason Marquis (R)
Rich Hill (L)
Mark Prior (R)

Closer - Ryan Dempster

The Cubs began making a step in the right direction, but did not add a truly solid starting pitcher to the rotation. Granted, so much of the rotation was mediocre last year that Lilly and Marquis could help. The Cubs' defense should prove interesting with Soriano in center, and their offense should reap benefits from Sori as well, although he may be moved to the 2 instead of the 1 when it occurs to the Cubs that it is better to send up a masher with people on base. Chicago improved, but didn't make up for everything, and not everyone will stay healthy.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Lineup
Chris Duffy - CF
Jack Wilson - SS
Freddy Sanchez - 3B/2B
Jason Bay - LF
Adam Laroche - 1B
Xavier Nady - RF
Castillo/Bautista - 2B/3B
Ronny Paulino - C

Rotation
Duke (L)
Snell (R)
Armas (R)
Chacon (R)
someone

Closer - um...

Not a terrible team, but still not much to look forward to, other than an improved lineup and a better season from Zach Duke. Maybe Chacon will have better command. Or not.

Cincinatti Reds

Lineup
Freel - RF
Hatteburg - 1B
Griffey - CF
Dunn - LF
Ross - C
Encarnacion - 3B
Phillips - 2B
Gonzalez - SS

Rotation
Harang (R)
Arroyo (R)
jobber
jobber
jobber

Once again, the Reds have two useful starting pitchers, but even as good as their offense is, they need to be productive to help the 3-5 starters out. Dunn could go a long way if his luck changes on balls in play. Griffey's health is always a question, but seemingly he'll be able to play. Whether the park factors will continue to make Ross look beastly will also mean a lot to this club.

Houston Astros

Lineup
2 - Ausmus
3 - Berkman
4 - Biggio
5 - Ensberg
6 - Everett
7 - Lee
8 - Burke
9 - Scott

Rotation
Oswalt (R)
Jennins (R)
Williams (R)
Rodriguez (L)
Albers (R)

The Astros should just about balance out the rotation, and their lineup got a little better from adding Lee. There is a problem, though, with a middle infield where both guys threaten to post a sub-.300 OBP. Having two out machines in the lineup besides the pitcher is not all that great, and getting on base more would help given that the team has a couple of mashers (Lee, Berkman, Ensberg).

St. Louis Cardinals

Lineup
Eckstein - SS
Duncan - LF
Pujols - 1B
Edmonds - CF
Rolen - 3B
Encarnacion - RF
Kennedy - 2B
Y. Molina - C

Rotation
Carpenter - (R)
Wells (R)
Reyes (R)
Wainwright (R)
Looper (R)

Good News: Albert Pujols. Bad News: Kip Wells. Good news: Braden Looper isn't the setup man anymore. Bad news: neither is Adam Wainwright. Worse news: Braden Looper starting this year?! Good News: Hey, they get their world series rings!

Milwaukee Brewers

Lineup
2- Estrada
3 - Fielder
4 - Weeks
5 - Coskie
6 - Hardy
7 - Jenkins
8 - Hall
9 - Hart

Rotation
Capuano (L)
Sheets (R)
Suppan (R)
Bush (R)
Vargas (R)

This is a nice rotation, aside from Suppan. Suppan will suffer from the defense on this team. The lineup will have not a lot, but some potency, but the key really is Ben Sheets' health. If Sheets pitches 100 innings, repeat last year's performance. A good 150 innings gets them to .500 ball, and 200 innings wins the division.

Predicted Finish
well, honesly, you got me on 1-4. Really. Here's what I'll guess though.
Cardinals
Brewers (-1 game)
Astros (-2 games)
Cubs (-3 games)
Reds (-18 games)
Pirates (-20 games)

The error margins are as such where the top 4 are up for grabs entirely.