Yes, even the Cubs have a chance this year. That's how crazy the division is.
However, because picking 4 out of 6 teams to win the division would impress no one, allow me to make my best guess as to how the teams in the NL Central will finish.
1. Milwaukee Brewers
OFFENSE- A-
In addition to continual super sluggers Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, Corey Hart, and Casey McGehee have established themselves as solid power hitters. This team will have no problem scoring runs.
STARTING PITCHING- A-
Yovani Gallardo and newcomer Shawn Marcum are solid pitchers that will keep the Brewers in games against anyone. The real wild card though is new addition Zack Greinke; if he can get off the DL within a month into a regular season and pitch effectively, this rotation will be great.
BULLPEN- B+
John Axford has established himself as a solid closer after the departure of legend Trevor Hoffman. Latroy Hawkins often struggles to get outs, but Takashi Saito should serve as an effective setup man.
2. Chicago Cubs (Wild Card)
OFFENSE- B
Soriano, Geovany Soto, Aramis Ramirez and newcomer Carlos Pena could all hit 2o+ home runs. Starlin Castro is a promising youngster. Whether they are in the hitter friendly confines of Wrigley or on the road, the Cubs should have no problem hitting the ball.
STARTING PITCHING- B+
Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, and new arrival Matt Garza could all easily win 15 games. Randy Wells has shown promise, and Carlos Silva is a respectable number 5.
BULLPEN- A
Carlos Marmol is subject to the occasional flare of inconsistency, but at the same time is a strikeout machine who will slam the door shut for opposing offenses the vast majority of the time. Kerry Wood is a setup man good enough to close, and Sean Marshall gives the bullpen depth.
3. Cincinnati Reds
OFFENSE- A
Between NL MVP Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Brandon Phillips, Drew Stubbs, and a rejuvenated Scott Rolen, this team should finish near the top of the National League in runs scored.
STARTING PITCHING- C+
Ultimately, the starting rotation will make or break the Red's chances to make the playoffs this year. Bronson Arroyo provides a good veteran presence, but unless young talents like Edinson Volquez, Homer Bailey, Mike Leake and Travis Wood pitch to their potential, the big Red offense might lose its ability to keep the team in games.
BULLPEN-B-
Franscisco Cordero has dynamic stuff, but can be shaky. Look for him to have to battle with the young pitching sensation Aroldis Chapman for the closer role throughout the season.
4. St. Louis Cardinals
OFFENSE- B
Pujols and Holliday are hitting machines, but expecting Colby Rasmus and an aging Lance Berkman to make major contributions might be a little unrealistic for the red birds.
STARTING PITCHING- C
The loss of NL CY Young candidate Adam Wainwright could very well be the blow that keeps the Cardinals out of the playoffs this year. If Carpenter can stay healthy (and the Cardinals stay in contention and decide not to trade him), and if average veterans like Jake Westbrook and Kyle Lohse can have career years, they might have a chance to contend. But thats a lot of "ifs."
BULLPEN- B-
Ryan Franklin has established himself as a pretty solid closer. Guys like Jason Motte and Trevor Miller can be effective, but I don't see many guarantees here.
5. Houston Astros
OFFENSE- C+
Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence, and Micheal Bourn form a solid outfield. Apart from Bill Hall, don't expect much production from the other starters.
STARTING PITCHING- B
Not many big names here, but guys like Brett Myers, Wandy Rondriguez, and J.A. Happ find ways to get outs. The rotation should be good enough to keep the Astros in a lot of games.
BULLPEN- C
Brandon Lyon has had limited success as a closer, and I don't really see a clear setup man here. They'll probably be able to hold most leads, but the bullpen doesn't inspire a ton of confidence.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates
OFFENSE- C-
Andrew McCutchen is a rising superstar. Lyle Overbay provides a good veteran presence, and young guys like Pedro Alvarez, Garrett Jones, and Jose Tabata provide glimmers of hope for the future here.
STARTING PITCHING- F
When you can barely tell your ace from your number five starter, you know you're in trouble. If the Pirates ever want to get out baseball's cellar, they're going to have to drastically improve their starting rotation.
BULLPEN- C-
The bullpen is one of the Pirates' strengths, not that that's saying much. Joel Hanrahan is a decent reliever, but he's had little experience closing and could lose his job to the young talent Evan Meek. Working in Hanrahan's favor is the fact that any Pirates closer won't get that many save opportunities anyway, so he'll only have to pitch about 60 good innings for the whole year.
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