Sly Fox wrote:EY! He and I work at the same radio station together and he actually filled in as my co-host a couple of weeks this past fall on the tExans pregame & postgame shows (he played WR for Rutgers back in the day). OK, that's the end of my Scar-esque namedropping session.
I'm curious to hear thoughts on the only division I care about ... NL Central. You can spare me the Wrigley love and stick to the facts.
I see the Brewers, Cubs & Cards all battling for the title with both the Astros Reds being factors if they can find any pitching.
Cubs... Cubbies have the talent...on PAPER. I worry about their pen and if Wood can stay healthy and who will set-up for them if Marmol has to close. They should win the division unless a black cat crosses the dugout in August. Maybe they can resurrect the ghost of Fred Merkel for some good 100th anniversary karma.
Brewers...I am not sure they have the over-all depth to make a legit run this year. They will hit with Fielder and Braun, but Weeks must be healthy and be more selective at the plate to serve as a catylist at the top of the order. Gagne must regain his form he had before his trade to Boston, as I would not trust Turnbow as closer at all.
Reds...will only go as far as their young pitching takes them...and if they can stay healthy. I see them as a sleeper in this division. They have experience and youth combined.
Cardinals...they are in rebuilding mode and I honestly see a dogfight with them, and the Astros for 4th place...but it would not surprise me to see StL or HOU as high as 2nd place. If they are out of it by July, it would not surprise me for Pujols to shut it down and the Cards lose 95 games.
Astros... I am biased b/c of UNCA Alum Wigginton...but not BLIND. Has there ever been a worse left side of the defense...with Wiggy and Miggy at 3rd and short...and Carlos Lee in LF. This team will hit...and may have an offense to rival the Cubs. Bourn will have to be legit to set the table for Miggy, Lee, and Berkman, and Pence. Matsui has to be the worse move Houston has made since trading Joe Morgan, et al, for Lee May, et al, before the 71 season. Pitching, as Sly stated, is a key with this team. Oswalt is elite, and Backe, if healthy, can be a decent #2, as he showed in the most two recent playoff series. My key for Houston is the health of those two, and the continued development of Wandy Rodriguez, who had a much better K/9 rate last year. Again, if all the pieces fall into place, as high as 2nd...but I could see them as low as DFL.
Pirates... Are they still in the majors? UGH.
--Fumble (1961-2009), RIP
- By LU Armchair coach