NL Central Predictions

Hello again, we're now just 6 days from one of my favorite days of the year, Opening Day, and its almost time to finish these last couple predictions. In the next few days, I am going to do the NL West, and then a blog with final standings predictions and awards, even maybe top hot seat managers list. So I have to admit, I know more about this division in the NL then the other two, but what can I say, I live in Chicago, where the Cubs play, but we don't acknowledge their existence. But, putting those things aside, I will do my best as always to give a little information about these teams in this division, even if I don't know much about them.

Cincinnati Reds

2012 Record: 97-65

Manager: Dusty Baker(I know they all wear the team's uniform, but he really enjoys it)

Projected Starting Pitchers: Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo(Didn't realize he was still in baseball), Matt Latos, Homer Bailey, Mike Leake

Projected Starting Fielders: C Ryan Hanigan, 1B Joey Votto, 2B Brandon Phillips, SS Zach Cozart, 3B Todd Frazier, LF Ryan Ludwick, CF Shin-Soo Choo, RF Jay Bruce

2012 Recap: Well, its hard to say anything but they did what they were expected to, and were one of the few teams that did so, they made the playoffs. They stayed on top of the division pretty much the whole year, and then unfortunately didn't make it out of the first round, but they lost to the world series champs. The good news for them is that they're young, but have been together for awhile, so they are able to handle the long playoff race, especially with an experienced manager like Dusty Baker at the helm.

2013 Outlook: Looking at the team, and the rest of the division, I can see them winning the division once again, the division is up and coming, but they aren't there yet. One thing that intrigues me with this team is Dusty Baker, all these years they've competed, but they haven't made the NLCS, let alone world series. How much longer will the organization let this keep going before looking into replacing him? They toyed with the idea of converting closer Aroldis Chapman into a closer, but for now it appears those plans have been shelved.

Projected 2013 Wins: 95

St Louis Cardinals

2012 Record: 88-74

Manager: Mike Matheny

Projected Starting Pitchers: Adam Wainwright, Jake Westbrook, Lance Lynn, Jaime Garcia, Shelby Miller

Projected Starting Fielders: C Yadier Molina, 1B Allen Craig, 2B Daniel Descalso, SS Pete Kozma(Got a cousin with the same last name), 3B Matt Carpenter, LF Matt Holliday, CF John Jay, RF Carlos Beltran

2012 Recap: The Cardinals were coming off of a world series title and an offseason where they lost their manager to retirement, and their 1B to free agency, and still did well. They battled for the division most of the year, but dealt with injuries all year that crippled their chances for the division title. This team won the wildcard playoff game on a questionable call, but a win is a win, and they beat the Nationals then fell to the Giants.

2013 Outlook: I have hope for this team to compete, but I don't know about winning the division, it depends on quite a few factors, as with any other team. Having been to Busch Stadium its a great atmosphere, and I think that it will give them a distinct home field advantage as well. One thing to watch for is the return of David Freese, and the still question mark return of Chris Carpenter, both players that can have a great impact on their success this year.

2013 Projected wins: 92

Milwaukee Brewers

2012 Record: 83-79

Manager: Ron Roenicke

Projected Starting Pitchers: Yovani Gallardo, Kyle Lohse, Marco Estrada, Wily Peralta, Chris Narveson

Projected Starting Fielders: C Jonathan Lucroy, 1B Alex Gonzalez, 2B Rickie Weeks, SS Jean Segura, 3B Aramis Ramirez, LF Ryan Braun, CF Carlos Gomez, RF Norichika Aoki

2012 Recap: This team was a mixed bag really, big expectations, with big distractions, adding up to them missing the playoffs last year. There was no shortage of distractions before the year started with the Ryan Braun fiasco, and it seemed to carryover into the season. All in all, they didn't have a horrible season, they competed for the division and wildcard, but came up short, it'll be interesting to see this year.

2013 Outlook: Well, this team will definitely have an easier time without the distractions from the Braun steroids fiasco going into the year, but I don't know if that will be enough. The fact is that the Cardinals and Reds are still on top of the division, and the Pirates are up and coming, so it will not be an easy division to compete in. That being said, I can see them being above .500 for the year, and giving the wildcard a run, but I don't see them winning the division this year.

2013 Projected Wins: 85

I know, I didn't mention him, but he's still one of the best

Pittsburgh Pirates

2012 Record: 79-83

Manager: Clint Hurdle

Projected Starting Pitchers: AJ Burnett, Wandy Rodriguez, James McDonald, Jonathan Sanchez, Jeff Locke

Projected Starting Fielders: C Russell Martin, 1B Garrett Jones, 2B Neil Walker, SS Clint Barmes, 3B Pedro Alvarez, LF Starling Marte, CF Andrew McCutchen, RF Travis Snider

2012 Recap: Its been 20+ years since they've been .500 and they're almost there finally. Really what more do you want me to say about them? No seriously, they almost made it this year, and were in the division race for the first half of the season, which is more then most would expect them to be at. The fact that they collapsed at the end should not be held against them, and it actually bodes well for them that they have been getting better the last few years.

2013 Outlook: As I said, they're close, and I believe that this is the year that they finally get over the hump, and finish above .500. They're a solid young team, with experience, which to me bodes well for them, they won't have the deer in the headlights look, but won't be dealing with old age like other teams. As I said with the Brewers, this division's solid so its going to be tough to make the playoffs, but competing and finishing above .500 should be their immediate goals.

Projected 2013 Wins: 85

I know, I didn't mention Roberto Clemente in here, but he's one of the great players of all time on and off the field.

Chicago Cubs

2012 Record: 61-101

Manager: Dale Sveum

Projected Starting Pitchers: Jeff Samardzija, Edwin Jackson, Travis Wood, Scott Feldman, Carlos Villanueva, Matt Garza(On DL, no word yet on exact return)

Projected Starting Fielders: C Wendy Castillo/Dioner Navarro(either one will play), 1B Anthony Rizzo, 2B Darwin Barney, SS Starlin Castro, 3B Luis Valbuena, LF Alfonso Soriano, CF David DeJesus, RF Nate Schierholtz

2012 Recap: This team finally made a major change in the front office, that many here in Chicago would argue that they sorely needed to make years ago, they fired GM Jim Hendry. Theo Epstein came in with his guys and have made moves to move payroll and get more young talent, which is great, but doesn't lend itself to winning. The results on the field spoke for themselves in the form of 101 losses, but as the saying goes, "wait til next year" as always with Cubs fans. There were some bright spots however, in the form of Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro, both quality young players, with major league experience.

2013 Outlook: Well, for some Cubs fans, next year is here, but I don't see them winning this year, or maybe for a couple more years, they're just not good enough yet. They're still trying to trade Alfonso Soriano, and have been for years, the problem being that most teams don't want to eat his salary, but who can blame them. Compounding the problem for the Cubs is the fact that the Astros are no longer in their division, so they can no longer count on a few extra wins over the worst team in baseball.

Projected 2013 Wins: 55