NL Central Preview

Milwaukee Brewers

Rotation: Ben Sheets, Jeff Suppan, Dave Bush, Carlos Villanueva, Manny Parra
The rotation took a hit when Yovanni Gallardo hurt his knee. He should be back in mid to late April and will add a quality arm. This rotation is not a strong point. Between the Gallardo injury, Sheets' fragility and the youth at the back of the rotation they have a lot of question marks.

Line-up: C-Jason Kendall
1B-Prince Fielder
2B-Rickie Weeks
SS-J.J. Hardy
3B-Bill Hall
LF-Ryan Braun
CF-Mike Cameron
RF-Corey Hart
The Brewers season depends on their young talent consolidating gains from last year and continuing to make even more progress. If Braun, Fielder, Weeks, Hardy and Hart can hold their level from last year and Hall can rebound the line-up could be sick. The major story here was the reshuffling of the defense. Ryan Braun was a butcher at 3B last year and Hall struggled in the outfield. The defense should improve because of these moves, although it still isn't very good.

Bullpen: The Brewers brought in Eric Gagne to close. They have some decent arms behind him. Derrick Turnbow and David Riske are capable set-up men, although you don't when to count on them if Gagne gets hurt.

Predicted Record: 91-71

Chicago Cubs

Rotation: Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster, Rich Hill, Jason Marquis
I am not impressed by this rotation. Zambrano seems to be on the down side of his career. Lilly had a good year last year but is really just a solid pitcher. Dempster is a reliever being pushed to start. Hill is decent but has no real upside, and Marquis just isn't very good.

Line-up: C-Geovany Soto
1B-Derrek Lee
2B-Mark DeRosa
SS-Ryan Theriot
3B-Aramis Ramirez
LF-Alfonso Soriano
CF-Felix Pie
RF-Kosuke Fukodome
Pie is a prospect who appears to be getting his shot. If he struggles, the Cubs could look for another option. Soto raked in the minors last year, he could really contribute. Ramirez and Soriano will anchor the line-up and Fukodome and Lee should also contribute with their bats. Overall, the line-up is a plus and could be very good if Pie and Soto come through.

Bullpen: The big question in Spring Training was who would be anointed closer. Kerry Wood beat out Carlos Marmol and Bob Howry. All three are plus relievers, so even if Wood gets hurt, the Cubs have options.

Predicted Record: 88-74

Cinncinati Reds

Rotation: Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez, Josh Fogg
Possibly the best rotation in the division. Harang is very good and Arroyo fits in nicely in the two slot. The back of the rotation is young. Cueto is a hot-shot prospect and Volquez was a couple of years ago. Lots of upside, lots of risk. Fogg is your typical veteran who the Reds hope to get 150 decent innings out of. Matt Belisle and Homer Bailey are waiting for someone to falter.

Line-up: C-Dave Ross
1B-Joey Votto
2B-Brandon Phillips
SS-Jeff Keppinger
3B-Edwin Encarnacion
LF-Adam Dunn
CF-Corey Patterson
RF-Ken Griffey Jr.
This line-up has a lot of question marks in it. Will Griffey stay healthy? Will the Reds get tired of Dunn's strikeouts and trade him? Is Brandon Phillips for real? Can Encarnacion live up to his potential? Is Votto ready? When will Jay Bruce supplant Patterson in center? Enough of those should turn into yeses to make this line-up a plus.

Bullpen: The Reds brought in Francisco Cordero to solve their bullpen problems. He'll be solid, but this group still isn't very deep. If David Weathers or Jared Burton emerges as a quality set-up man they might have something.

Predicted Record: 83-79

Houston Astros

Rotation: Roy Oswalt, Wandy Rodriguez, Brandon Backe, Woody Williams, Shawn Chacon
Oswalt is great. He's one of my favorite players and should be a top ten starter in the NL. Other than that, there is nothing here to like.

Line-up:C-J.R. Towles
1B-Lance Berkman
2B-Mark Loretta
SS-Miguel Tejada
3B-Ty Wigginton
LF-Carlos Lee
CF-Michael Bourn
RF-Hunter Pence
Berkman is a great hitter, and Tejada should still have enough left to be a quality second option. The defense will suffer with loss of Adam Everett at shortstop though. His pitchers are going to miss him. The outfield corners will produce as well. Lee and Pence can hit. The rest of line-up is not exciting. Towles should be an upgrade at catcher. Overall, the line-up is good, but not good enough to carry a team.

Bullpen: The Astros imported Jose Valverde to close. If he gets hurt, they don't have any legitimate options behind him.

Predicted Record: 71-91

St. Louis Cardinals

Rotation: Adam Wainwright, Braden Looper, Kyle Lohse, Todd Wellemeyer, Brad Thompson
The story here is who isn't pitching. Mark Mulder and Chris Carpenter will both be on the DL for much of the season. Without them, the rotation has no ace. The top three are all solid pitchers, but that's a pretty weak foundation.

Line-up: C-Yadier Molina
1B-Albert Pujols
2B-Adam Kennedy
SS-Cesar Izturis
3B-Troy Glaus
LF-Chris Duncan
CF-Rick Ankiel
RF-Skip Schumaker/Ryan Ludwick
The Cardinals could lose 100 games if Pujols gives in to his elbow injury. It's almost a given that he will need surgery, but he's hoping to make it till the end of the season. If the doesn't, the line-up is dependent on a Glaus resurgence, otherwise, they'll be weak.

Bullpen: Jason Isringhausen is the closer. There's nothing special here, but they're not terrible either.

Predicted Record: 71-91

Pittsburgh Pirates

Rotation: Ian Snell, Tom Gorzelanny, Paul Maholm, Matt Morris, Zach Duke
The rotation has potential, and it will need to live up to it if the Pirates hope to contend. If it doesn't, the Pirates will need to develop a plan B fast.

Line-up: C-Ronny Paulino
1B-Adam LaRoche
2B-Freddy Sanchez
SS-Jack Wilson
3B-Jose Bautista
LF-Jason Bay
CF-Nate McLouth
RF-Nyjer Morgan
This line-up has no one who is an elite hitter. LaRoche is pretty good, and Bay might rebound to that level also. These are the type of players you pick up around the edges if you are a contender, not who you build a team around. If the Pirates are lucky, some contenders will agree with me, and the Pirates can add some prospects mid-season.

Bullpen: Matt Capps will get what few saves the Pirates generate. The set-up men are okay, although they won't have many games to set-up.

Predicted Record: 70-92