Predictions, part V: National League Central preview and predictions

And the season gets underway in earnest today, so live from downtown Chicago, the first of the final two previews - the NL Central.

Chicago Cubs
Let me first say: I do not -hate- the Cubs, I simply don't follow them with the fervor that I follow the White Sox. So this preview is probably more impartial than you would like to admit.

A retooled rotation looks to be the strongest for the team since 2003. Carlos Zambrano anchors the rotation, and if he and Wade Miller can stay healthy, look for a team that can get many games to the bullpen either in the lead or close to it. The biggest questions linger in the lineup - the corner infield positions are strong but the middle infield (Cesar Izturis and Mark DeRosa) could be the difference between wins and losses. LF Cliff Floyd returns to his hometown and likely will be starting at the first sign of trouble from Matt Murton. Jacque Jones needs to improve his defense or the Cubs could end up having problems at both corner outfield positions. The lineup needs to provide offense for the pitching or the starting arms will simply tire and shut down late in the season, when the Cubs figure to need the push of wins the most.

Houston Astros
An infield that has been largely untouched for the past three years figures to be productive again this year. The outfield will be the big question for the offense - can Carlos Lee stay in shape and continue his streak of 30-HR seasons? Can Luke Scott handle full-season outfield duties? Can Jason Lane pick up the slack if someone is injured or not producing?

The pitching is a different story. A retooled rotation looks decidedly weaker than in previous seasons, with Roy Oswalt the only true ace of the rotation. Woody Williams had a nice comeback last year from an unproductive '05 campaign and looks to continue said resurgence. Matt Albers posted some nice numbers in a late-season audition with the club last year. Brad Lidge continues to be the closer, despite an obvious drop in production during last season - attributed to walkoff home runs given up in both the 2005 NLCS and World Series.

Milwaukee Brewers
A young team looks to make some noise up in Wisconsin this year, with Bill Hall and Prince Fielder coming off stellar seasons with the club. Geoff Jenkins is a mainstay in left field but power numbers have declined steadily the last four years. J.J. Hardy and Rickie Weeks will need to improve their numbers as the new everyday middle infield - last year's numbers for both in limited action were less than impressive. Kevin Mench and Tony Graffanino continue to be two of the most underrated utility players in the NL.

St. Louis Cardinals
One of the most powerful lineups in the NL also sports one of the weakest rotations, where Kip Wells is the second starter, following ace Chris Carpenter. The aim for the rotation will be to survive five or six innings nightly and turn the game over to the improving bullpen, and resurgent closer Jason Isringhausen. Izzy, despite an ugly early season, came back to save 33 games and also close down the Tigers in the 2007 World Series. Randy Flores and Josh Hancock will be expected to handle the set-up duties and will have to keep games close as the Cards let the lineup go to work. Pujols, Edmonds, Spiezio, and Rolen cannot afford any long-term power outages this season as offense will be paramount in 80% of the games for the Redbirds this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates
The most beautiful thing about the Pirates this season will continue to be the view of the skyline from PNC Park. Jason Bay is a key in left field but the weaker pieces in the other two outfield positions (CF Chris Duffy and RF Xavier Nady) may find themselves overmatched at the plate much of the time. 3B Freddy Sanchez begins the season on the DL and may be rushed back, hampering him for most the season. Adam LaRoche is a good addition at first. The rotation is anchored by Zach Duke, who regressed in his first full season last year after a promising limited audition in 2005. No clear-cut closer has emerged in the bullpen, where Salomon Torres (12 saves in 15 opportunities in 2006) looks to cement himself in the role. Set-up man Matt Capps had a better record than some starters last year (9-1) but lefty set-up Damaso Marte continued his long string of inconsistency and inability to hit the strike zone in tight games.

Cincinnati Reds
Another year, another question mark in right field. Griffey continues to confound, often having long streaks of great hitting before going cold or getting injured. Adam Dunn and Ryan Freel hope to build on 2006 successes and post themselves as the top outfield in the NL Central. The Reds rotation could be the most distressing and confounding in the NL in their own right - Harang, Arroyo, and Lohse are all known for their extended periods of streakiness. Scott Hatteberg continues to be an anchor at first base but an untested infield will need to work deep into counts and raise opposing pitchers' pitch counts to ultimately be successful this season.

Predictions:
1. St. Louis
2. Cincinnati
3. Houston
4. Chicago
5. Milwaukee
6. Pittsburgh