2009 MLB Preview: National League

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Chicago Cubs (95-67) – In my mind, the Cubs are undoubtedly the best team in the National League, and maybe even in baseball. Their lineup is loaded—from any angle at which you look—with pop and wheels spread throughout. The part of their team that will put them over the top is their lights-out rotation, led by the trio of Zambrano, Harden, and Dempster. Their bullpen was a bit uncertain coming into this season, but there’s a lot of depth out there, so closer by committee might not be the worst thing for the Cubbies. This is the best Cub team I’ve seen in a while, Baseball—watch out.

St. Louis Cardinals (90-72) – The Cardinals are going to rely on their big hitter, Pujols, and their now healthy ace, Carpenter, to bring them back to their early decade glory. This team has sufficient talent and great leadership to be a contender after two lousy seasons, and though there is some uncertainty in the bullpen and at various positions, this team’s rotation can be scary good. If they get similar production from Ankiel and Ludwick, St. Louis will undoubtedly be a force to reckon with. The chances are slim that they will be able to challenge for the division, but they can sneak into the playoffs.

Houston Astros (85-77) – A lot of people are writing the Astros off as the Central’s cellar-dweller this year, but I don’t hesitate to put them third due to the lack of appeal from the rest of this division. Heck, they won 86 games with the same exact bunch last year, so it’s not at all a reach that they’ll make a play for a Wild Card come 2009.
In what has been a career of peaks and valleys for Lance Berkman, 2008 was as close to Everest as it’ll get. This team can’t go wrong with a workhorse ace like Roy Oswalt. It doesn’t seem as if the outlook in Houston is as bleak as everyone has begun to proclaim this spring.

Milwaukee Brewers (80-82) – A team that seemed to be on the rise for a short time will definitely take a step back this season. Their offense remains intact, with the likes of Braun, Fielder, and Hart leading the way. However, it’s extremely tough to compete without the two starters that helped the team capture a playoff berth last season.
The entire look isn’t nearly as imposing with Sabathia on the hill, a result of being a small market team. A return to the playoffs is out of the question, but I still could make a case for this team going in the right direction, as they build around talented youngsters.

Cincinnati Reds (76-86) – If all of the pieces click for this preseason flavor of the week, contention is almost a certainty. However, as good as their rotation has the ability to be, I still think their lineup is way too soft to contend with the big dogs of the National League. Votto, Bruce, and Phillips are certainly a solid, young core, but what else exactly makes this team an instant participant in the NL Central sweepstakes? I’ve never really loved Dusty Baker as a manager, nor have I loved a team with Bronson Arroyo, Alex Gonzalez, and Ramon Hernandez as key parts. They caught my eye, but nothing more.

Pittsburgh Pirates (66-96)

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