Baseball Preview - NL

As promised, another look at baseball's National League, this time the Central, starting down south.

The Stros are also one of "my" teams, one I've always liked since the JR Richard/Nolan Ryan/Jose Cruz days. The team lacked offense last year, despite playing in a great hitter's park, so they went out and signed thunderous bat Carlos Lee to go along with homegrown Lance Berkman. The team also hopes and prays for a more substantial season from 3B Morgan Ensberg, and continued production from graying Craig Biggio. Young OFs Luke Scott and Jason Lane also need to develop. Unfortunately, that may not be enough, for they also lost Andy Pettite and his good buddy the Rocket from their staff, replaced by Woody Williams and Jason Jennnings, who aren't terrible, but nowhere near the caliber of the former (and current) Pinstripers. Trauma head case Brad Lidge returns to close (possibly) unless he can't handle the pressure, then setup man Dan Wheeler inherits.

Up in St. Looey, my granddad's favorite team, the Redbirds, celebrate their first World Series victory since the days of Whitey Herzog and the Oz. The Cards have some serious sticks in the lineup, led by Mr. Universe, Albert Pujols, as well as 3B Scott Rolen and CF Jim Edmonds, and young LF Chris Duncan. Preston Wilson also joins the OF cast while Juan Encarnacion recovers from wrist surgery. Former twenty game winner Chris Carpenter leads the retooled staff, with with Kip Wells, Anthony Reyes, Adam Wainwright and Braden Looper filling out the rotation awaiting the return of Mark Mulder. Jason Isringhausen still closes out games.

Moving up river to Cincy, the sudden emergance of Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo finally give the staff some solidity, although Eric Milton is on the DL to start the season, along with closer Eddie Guardado. Mike Stanton apparently picks up the finishing duty. Adam Dunn carries a healthy stick (2 HRs on Opening Day vs Cubbies) along with oft-injured Junior Griffey and 3B Edwin Encarnacion. Fleet Ryan Freel finally gets a permanent position in CF.

Moving further up the Ohio, the Bucs are in another pickle - the season has started. With one of the best parks in the majors, you'd think the once proud franchise could eventually right the ship, but no evidence for such yet exists, althought the offense should be better with LF Jason Bay, RF Xavier Nady, 1B Adam LaRoche, and SS Jack Wilson carrying decent sticks. The issue again is the staff, with enigmatic Zach Day the ace and the only other name you've ever heard of (maybe) Tony Armas. Solomon Torres get the chance to close for a full season, with the departure of Mike Gonzalez to Atlanta.

Onward to the Windy City, where the Tribune company spent a ton of cash over the winter in preparation to selling the team to billionaire Sam Zell, hiring Lou Pinella as manager and bringing in the top free agent on the market, 40-40 man fonzi Soriano. The team will certainly bomb away, with Soriano, 1B Derick Lee, 3B Aramis Ramirez, RF Jacque Jones and LF platoon men Cliff Floyd and Matt Murton all very capable of breaking glass outside Wrigley. A retooled staff is led by Carlos Zambrano, with Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis, Rich Hill and Wade Miller rounding out the starters, at least until Mark Prior get straight down in Iowa City. Kerry Wood starts the season on the DL, but could return to challenge for closer Ryan Dempster's spot. Cubbie fans think this could be the year the curse dies, and on paper, it appears it could happen.

Up north, the Brew Crew looks like it could challenge as well, with a heavy dose of lumber and the return of their ace from injury. CF Bill Hall, 1B Prince Fielder, C Johnny Estrada and the LF Geoff Jenkins/Kevin Mench platoon will definitely hit. The staff is led by Big Ben Sheets, who appears healthy this spring and threw a nifty two hit gem yesterday against the evil Dodgers. Chris Capuano, Dave Bush, Claudio Vargas and former Card Jeff Suppan will deal the rawhide, with former Ranger Fransisco Cordero finishing.

The Cubs look like the team to beat in the Central, although St. Louis is still very dangerous and some diasaster always seems to occur to break the Cub fans' hearts. Milwaukee should stick around as well, they have their most talented team in years. Houston has some problems, and so does Cincy, but no one stinks like Pitsburgh in the NL except perhaps DC.