The main question for the Cards with regard to their every day lineup is the health of Albert Pujos. They can’t do without his regular production if they expect to contend. Scott Rolen is gone, and Troy Glaus takes his place at third base.
He only played 115 games last year and has had injury problems in the past, just like Rolen did, so it remains to be seen how effective he can be.
Cesar Izturis takes over at shortstop for David Eckstein, and Rick Ankiel is slated to be the everyday centerfielder. If Ankiel can put up the same numbers he did in 47 games last year on a consistent basis throughout the season, it will make a huge difference in their lineup.
Skip Schumaker will get an opportunity to be the everyday right fielder and has done well this spring.
The Cardinals will have to have a healthy Albert Pujos and their lineup will have to exceed expectations and stay healthy in order for them to protect their pitchers and contend. I don’t think they can do that over the whole season.
The rotation is average at best, but their bullpen isn’t bad; so if their starters can keep them in the game, they can win quite a few close ones.
Projected finish - 4th place.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers come in to this season knowing that if they can get steady starting pitching, they can win their division. Jeff Suppan disappointed last year coming over from the Cardinals, Yovani Gallardo is recovering from knee surgery and was one of their most consistent starters, and Dave Bush’s, and Chris Capuano’s ERAs were both over 5.
Ben Sheets is a legitimate ace and is the one sure thing in their rotation, if he can stay healthy, which he didn’t last season.
There will be competition for rotation spots as Manny Parra and Claudio Vargas try to win a spot as well as young righty Carlos Villanueva, who is considered a favorite.
Milwaukee will probably have an excess of starters when the season starts and may use them as trading chips to plug other holes.
Eric Gagne will close and it remains to be seen whether he can be effective throughout the year; so there are questions there. David Riske comes over from the White Sox and will help sure up their bullpen.
They also picked up Guillermo Mota to add depth, but I consider that a negative given how he did with the Mets last season.
There are no questions about the Brewers as far as their hitters go. Prince Fielder, J.J. Hardy, and Bill Hall round out a pretty good infield. Corey Hart and Ryan Braun supply a lot of power in the outfield. Braun hit 34 homers in 113 games last year and hit over .300, and Hart hit 24 dingers and batted .295 in 140 games.
In between them is Mike Cameron, who is a very good centerfielder and will help their defense.
I don’t think the Brewers’ pitching is good enough from top to bottom to win the division, but they can contend for a wild card. They have the bats, and their fielding should be better as well. They were close to the bottom of the league in that category.
Projected finish - 2nd place.
Houston Astros
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