The Major League Baseball season gets underway on April 4. But before all the fireworks, the seventh-inning stretches, the awe-strucking homers, the captivating steals, hustle plays, and pitching performances commence, we preview all 30 teams by division. Next up, the National League Central.
Houston Astros
Record: 56-106 (6th in NL Central)
Missed Postseason
By any means, the 106 losses the Astros endured in 2011 was essentially ridiculous and uninspiring. The ownership situation, along with poor pitching, lack of run support, injuries, and trades, doomed the Astros from the start. And now with new owner Jim Crane taking over, along with the announced move to the AL West in 2013, the Astros hope to leave the NL Central after the season on a bright note.
The pitching last season was a disaster. Only Wandy Rodriguez and closer Mark Melancon managed to have a .500 season; the rest below that mark. The Astros hope that their starting rotation of J.A. Happ, Bud Norris and Jordan Lyles improve from last year's dismal numbers, newly-acquired Livan Hernandez to make an impact, and Brett Myers to fill the shoes of Melancon, traded to Boston in the offseason.
With the midseason trades of Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence, and Carlos Lee's bat becoming more of a liability, the Astros need some offensive help from newly-acquired Jed Lowrie, future star Jose Altuve, and holdovers Chris Johnson, Brett Wallace and J.D. Martinez. However the rest of the Astros' lineup remains unproven, so let's see if the young bats will develop during the season.
Milwaukee Brewers
Record: 96-66 (NL Central Champions)
Lost 4-2 to the Cardinals in the Championship Series
Last season felt like 1982 all over again. The Brewers won the Central division and the division series, but they couldn't overcome NLCS MVP David Freese's homers in Game 6. Worse, they witnessed Prince Fielder move to Detroit and NL MVP Ryan Braun test positive for a banned drug. Fortunately Braun was spared from a 50-game suspension. Now the Brewers are hard-pressed to defend their NL Central title after Fielder decided to slam homers in Comerica Park instead of Miller Park.
The Brewers' offense remains potent, with Braun, Corey Hart and Rickie Weeks the main power sources. Small ball hitting and baserunning will remain a forte for Nyjer Morgan, Carlos Gomez and Jonathan Lucroy. It remains to be seen whether newly-acquired Aramis Ramirez will be a good fit for the homer-happy Brewers.
The pitching department has also improved from last season, as Yovani Gallardo, Zack Greinke, Shaun Marcum and Randy Wolf provided quality starts between them. Francisco Rodriguez played well as a setup man after being traded mid-season, while John Axford emerged as an elite closer, with 43 straight converted saves. The Brewers hope the trend will continue this season, provided they stay healthy, they may help in the team's search for a repeat NL Central title.
St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 90-72 (2nd in NL Central; Won NL Wildcard)
2011 World Series Champions
The Cardinals' wild ride to the World Series title began on the last day, when Atlanta lost at Philadelphia. Then Chris Carpenter shut down the Phillies in Game 5 of the NLDS, after which David Freese buried both the Brewers and the Rangers in impressive fashion, winning both NLCS and World Series MVP, and led the Cards to the World Series title. It was a fitting retirement gift for manager Tony La Russa, who departed a winner.
Unfortunately, the ride wouldn't last long, as the team's heart and soul in Albert Pujols decided to move to the Angels. This was a huge loss for the Cardinals, who will now have to defend their trophy without their long-time icon.
David Freese emerged as a postseason hero, and is now tasked to carry that momentum into the new season. Lance Berkman had a comeback to remember last season, and now looks to build upon that success. The Cardinals' bats will remain formidable, with Yadier Molina, Matt Holliday, Rafael Furcal and Allen Craig leading the corps. Newly-acquired Carlos Beltran won't essentially replace Pujols, but will have his moments.
Chris Carpenter may not start the season with neck problems, but when healthy, he provides impressive quality starts. Same goes to Adam Wainwright, who was out last year, but will likewise return in full health midseason. Other reliable arms will be Kyle Lohse, Jaime Garcia, setup man Fernando Salas, and closer Jason Motte. Health and performance will play a huge role in the Cardinals' title defense, so watch out.
Chicago Cubs
Record: 71-91 (5th in NL Central)
Missed Postseason
Theo Epstein moves on. After bringing an 86-year title drought to an end in Boston, he now looks to end a much longer drought: 103 years and counting for the Cubs. Not an easy task for the youthful GM.
Dale Sveum will patrol the dugout this season, inheriting a seemingly intact roster trying to end a long, dry spell. With Aramis Ramirez gone, All-Star Starlin Castro will now be tasked to lead the Cubs offense. Also leading the offense will be the ever-reliable bats of Marlon Byrd, Reed Johnson, and newly-acquired David DeJesus.
Matt Garza remains the lead pitcher for the Cubs, despite a less-than stellar 2011. However, the Cubs need more from fellow starters Ryan Dempster, Randy Wells, and newly-acquired Paul Maholm and Travis Wood, if they were to contend for a postseason berth. Carlos Marmol was a reliable closer last season, and hopes to stay that way in 2012. The Cubs only hope that Epstein's blueprint will pay dividends in the years to come.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 72-90 (4th in NL Central)
Missed Postseason
The Pirates were on top of the NL Central on some occasions in 2011, but failed to sustain that momentum, and for the 19th consecutive year, they finished with a losing record.
Andrew McCutchen broke out in 2011, earning an All-Star nod while helping the Pirates contend for a short while. They also reloaded with the addition of Casey McGehee, Clint Barmes, Nate McLouth, and Rod Barajas, while hoping to maximize the talents of Neil Walker and Jose Tabata. Their offense seems to be clicking last year, if not for that late-season tailspin. Clint Hurdle hopes to have a consistent year from his lineup.
In the pitching front, the arrivals of A.J. Burnett and Erik Bedard should shore up the Pirates' bullpen dilemmas. Both hope to redeem themselves from last year's lackluster performance. With a starting rotation of Burnett, Bedard, Jeff Karstens, Kevin Correia and Charlie Morton, and closer Joel Hanrahan, the Pirates have a strong bullpen hoping to rebound from last year's collapse. If Clint Hurdle's squad makes some consistent noise, they may have a chance to end a 19-year losing record streak.
Cincinnati Reds
Record: 79-83 (3rd in NL Central)
Missed Postseason
The Reds failed to live to expectations in 2011, finishing third in the NL Central after winning the division the year before. Though Joey Votto continued to be consistent, and Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips emerged, poor defense and pitching doomed the Reds. Now in Year 3 of the Dusty Baker era, the Reds look to return to form.
Votto, Bruce and Phillips will provide the three-headed monster at bat with their hitting prowess. The Reds' other reliables at bat will be Miguel Cairo, Ryan Hanigan, Scott Rolen, Drew Stubbs, Chris Heisey, and newly-acquired Wilson Valdez and Ryan Ludwick. The Reds offense will remain as potent as it can be, and they hope they can use it as an advantage.
Sadly, reliable new closer Ryan Madson will be out for the year due to Tommy John surgery, so the Reds need to audition a temporary closer. As for the starters, they will have holdovers Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake and Johnny Cueto plus new addition Mat Latos to lead the rotation. Dusty Baker hopes to bring the best out of their starting rotation, which failed to provide support for their prolific offense last season.
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