MLB PICKS 2008 NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL PREVIEW
 
CHICAGO CUBS
MANAGER: LOU PINELLA
2007 RECORD: 85-77
 
KEY ADDITIONS:
KOSUKE FUKUDOME OF
JOSE ASCANIO RHP
ANGEL GUZMAN RHP
 
KEY LOSSES:
MARK PRIOR RHP
WILL OHMAN LHP
OMAR INFANTE UTL
CRAIG MONROE OF
JACQUE JONES OF
JASON KENDALL C
 
HELP IS ON THE WAY:
COLIN BALESTAR RHP
 
OUTLOOK:
The Cubs have an ace in Zambrano, a solid No. 2 in Lilly and above average starting pitching overall, which in a weak division puts them right there. If Kerry Wood works out as a closer they will be tougher if not, they will have problems closing out games. The middle of the line-up is very good with Soriano, Lee and Ramirez, but not much to speak of after that.


 
CINCINNATI REDS
MANAGER: DUSTY BAKER
2007 RECORD: 72-90
 
KEY ADDITIONS:
FRANCISCO CORDERO RHP
EDINSON VOLQUEZ RHP
 
KEY LOSSES:
JORGE CANTU UTL
EDDIE GUARDADO RHP
ERIC MILTON LHP
BUCK COATS OF
JOSH HAMILTON OF
 
HELP IS ON THE WAY:
JAY BRUCE OF
 
OUTLOOK:
Aaron Harang gave them a chance in every game, Bronson Arroyo disappointed and the rest of the staff is less-than mediocre. The Reds can score some runs, especially in their hitter-friendly park, but they can’t stop the opponents from scoring. Cordero gives them a solid closer, but how do they get to him? Their best prospects are position players, so not a lot of help on the way. The Reds will continue to struggle.
 
HOUSTON ASTROS
MANAGER: CECIL COOPER
2007 RECORD: 73-89
 
KEY ADDITIONS:
OSCAR VILLARREAL RHP
DARIN ERSTAD 1B/OF
GEOFF GEARY RHP
JOSE VALVERDE RHP
KAZUO MATSUI 2B
DOUG BROCAIL RHP
GEOFF BLUM UTL
MICHAEL BOURN OF
MIGUEL TEJADA SS
 
KEY LOSSES:
CHRIS BURKE UTL
JUAN GUTIERREZ RHP
CHAD QUALLS RHP
BRAD LIDGE RHP
ERIC BRUNTLETT SS
CRAIG BIGGIO 2B
ADAM EVERETT SS
 
HELP IS ON THE WAY:
FELIPE PAULINO RHP
 
OUTLOOK:
The Astros roster has been re-faced with lots of changes, but did they improve their team? It certainly doesn’t look like it. The staff is mediocre after Oswalt and average overall. They just don’t have enough high-impact players or pitching depth to contend, even in a weak division.
 
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
MANAGER: NED YOST
2007 RECORD: 83-79
 
KEY ADDITIONS:
SOLOMON TORRES RHP
ERIC MUNSON C
DAVID RISKE RHP
JASON KENDALL C
GUILLERMO MOTA RHP
ERIC GAGNE RHP
 
KEY LOSSES:
JOHNY ESTRADA C
GEOFF JENKINS OF
 
HELP IS ON THE WAY:
JEREMY JEFFRESS RHP
 
OUTLOOK:
Milwaukee got off to a great start, only to fade last year. The talent is there to be at or near the top this year. They need Sheets to have a big year to put them over the top, as well as Gagne to regain his form. The lineup is scary, and if they get what they expect from Sheets and Gagne they win the Central.
 
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
MANAGER:  JOHN RUSSELL
2007 RECORD: 68-94
 
KEY ADDITIONS:
CHRIS GOMEZ UTL
MARINO SALAS RHP
KEVIN ROBERTS RHP
 
KEY LOSSES:
SALOMON TORRES RHP
CESAR IZTURIS SS
 
HELP IS ON THE WAY:
STEVE PEARCE OF
 
OUTLOOK:
The Pirates are a minor league team offensively - they just have no punch and too many holes in the lineup. The front of the rotation is solid with Gorzelanny and Snell, but suspect thereafter. This team may win a few more games this season, but they are a long way from contending.
 
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
MANAGER: TONY LARUSSA
2007 RECORD: 78-84
 
KEY ADDITIONS:
CESAR IZTURIS UTL
JASON LARUE C
MATT CLEMENT RHP
 
KEY LOSSES:
JIM EDMONDS OF
SO TAGUCHI OF
JOHN RODRIGUEZ OF
BRADY CLARK OF
 
HELP IS ON THE WAY:
COLBY RASMUS OF
 
OUTLOOK:
This team is falling fast, and last year’s sub-.500 finish was the first sign. They have done nothing to improve the club and outside of Pujols, the offense is a colossal struggle. This team has lost more games than the prior season in three straight years, and this will likely become the fourth. Carpenter was the stability in the rotation, but he won’t pitch until at least July, so the Cards are a complete mess.
 
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. MILWAUKEE
2. CHICAGO
3. HOUSTON
4. PITTSBURGH
5. CINCINNATI
6. ST. LOUIS