Favored Cubs hope to hold off Cardinals, Pirates in top-heavy National League Central
The race for the NL Central championship is expected to be waged once again between the three most obviously talented teams in the division.
St. Louis is one of those clubs, but for the first time in many years, the Cardinals aren’t predicted to win the crown.
Instead, the Chicago Cubs enter the season as not only the favorites to win the Central, but also contenders for their first World Series championship since 1908.
A look at the Cardinals’ division rivals:
Chicago
It’s hard not to like what the Cubs have done since last fall after they eliminated the Cardinals in the NL Division Series. They won 97 games last season and signed two free agents away from the Cardinals: Gold Glove right fielder Jason Heyward and 13-game winner John Lackey. Chicago also added versatile infielder Adam Zobrist, acquired right-hander Adam Warren from the New York Yankees and re-signed center fielder Dexter Fowler. All the other key components return for manager Joe Maddon, including first baseman Anthony Rizzo, Rookie of the Year third baseman Kris Bryant, Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta, catcher/left fielder Kyle Schwarber, outfielder Jorge Soler, catcher Miguel Montero, infielder-outfielder Javier Baez, shortstop Addison Russell, left-hander Jon Lester and closer Hector Rondon. In the event of injuries, Chicago’s minor-league system still has plenty of depth.
Pittsburgh
Manager Clint Hurdle’s teams have averaged 93 wins during the last three years and have made three consecutive appearances in the postseason. More of the same is expected. Pittsburgh has a solid lineup led by center fielder Andrew McCutchen, left fielder Starling Marte, blossoming right fielder Gregory Polanco, second baseman Josh Harrison, catcher Francisco Cervelli, first basemen John Jaso and Michael Morse, third basemen Jung Ho Kang and former Cardinal David Freese and shortstop Jordy Mercer. Mark Melancon had 51 saves and ranks among the elite closers in the business. Tony Watson, Jared Hughes, Arquimedes Caminero and Rob Scahill also are solid out of the bullpen. The top three in the Pirates’ rotation, right-hander Gerrit Cole and left-handers Francisco Liriano and Jonathon Niese, are formidable. Defensively, the Pirates’ outfield could rank among the best in the game.
Milwaukee
The Brewers, who won just 68 games last season, remain in rebuilding mode and have few star players on their roster. Catcher Jonathan Lucroy and left fielder Ryan Braun are the most recognizable names in an everyday lineup that also includes outfielders Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Domingo Santana and Shane Peterson along with second baseman Scooter Gennett, longball threat and strikeout king Chris Carter at first base, third baseman Aaron Hill and shortstop Jonathan Villar. The rotation includes Wily Peralta, Matt Garza and Jimmy Nelson. Jeremy Jeffress, Will Smith and Tyler Thornburg lead a bullpen that will be without Francisco Rodriguez, who was traded to Detroit in November.
Cincinnati
The Reds traded third baseman Todd Frazier, a fan favorite, to the Chicago White Sox and also dealt troubled closer Aroldis Chapman to the Yankees. They tried to trade longtime second baseman Brandon Phillips to the Washington Nationals, but Phillips exercised his 10-and-5 rights to void the deal. Cincinnati remains in rebuild mode and will continue to shop Phillips, right fielder Jay Bruce and perhaps center fielder Billy Hamilton. Joey Votto remains a star at first base and is coming off a terrific season, but the Reds don’t have enough talent with which to surround Votto. Cincinnati won 64 games last year, and unless something miraculous occurs, its fans likely are in for another summer of misery.
This story was originally published March 26, 2016 at 11:30 AM with the headline "Favored Cubs hope to hold off Cardinals, Pirates in top-heavy National League Central."