However, the Cubs don’t win solely with their pitching.
They rank first in the National League in runs scored (593) AND team batting average (.280). On a lesser note, they are fifth in the league in the home runs category, trailing the Phillies, Marlins, Brewers and Reds – four teams that score all of their runs off of homers!
A lineup that includes the likes of Soriano, Lee, and Ramirez will make any opposing pitcher sweat.
Nevertheless, winning this division will not be a cakewalk for the Cubs.
The Brewers have a one-two punch of their own to match the tandem of Zambrano and Harden in C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets, but unlike the Cubs, lack depth in their starting pitching.
Sabathia and Sheets are two of the most solid starting pitchers in major league baseball, and could potentially dominate a short series in the postseason, but beyond them, I would take the bottom of the Cubs’ rotation without hesitation.
With that being said, the Brew Crew is going to hang around until the very end.
Like the Phillies and Cubs, they’ve got a scary bunch of hitters and can slug with the best of ‘em.
Also, you’ve got to give a shout-out to the stalwart St. Louis Cardinals – don’t look for them to go down without a fight.
The NL Central might just have the three best teams in the league (at least by record!), and as many expect, it’s going to be a three-horse race that comes down to the nitty-gritty, with the Cubs prevailing over the rival Brewers and Cards.
WEST –
The pick: DIAMONDBACKS
Contrary to popular belief, Manny Ramirez probably won’t instantly rejuvenate the entire Dodgers offense, one that ranks near the bottom of the National League in several offensive categories, including 15th in home runs and 13th in runs scored.
Manny will win the team home run title by a hefty margin (Ramirez currently has 21 on the season; the next-closet Dodgers player, Matt Kemp, has 12), but I cannot see one guy making such an enormous impact on such a weak offense.
The Diamondbacks, that other team competing to win the NL West, have nothing more than a mediocre offense themselves, and unlike the Dodgers, did not do a whole lot to improve their situation.
They did acquire former-D-Back Tony Clark, who, compared to Manny, gives them very little offensive output.
The kicker in this pennant chase is starting pitching (sound familiar?).
The Diamondbacks’ starting pitching is far superior to that of the Dodgers.
Ever since the Brewers revamped their pitching staff to include C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets, and the Cubs stuck Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden on the same team, everyone has overlooked Arizona’s one-two punch of Brandon Webb and Danny Haren.
It still could be the best of any in the National League.
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