With final roster decisions in the books and the 2020 season underway at long last, it’s time to make some predictions. We’ve started to poll the MLBTR readership on each of the game’s six divisions — starting with the AL Central. With plenty more teams primed to crack the postseason under the inclusive new playoff qualification system, let’s jump the pond and take a look at the NL Central.
Kyle Hendricks gave the Cubs an early lead in the division yesterday with a 2 1/2 hour complete game shutout of the Brewers. The Reds were right there with them in blowing away the Tigers. Many believe the Reds won the offseason, and their beefed-up lineup looks to bullrush the rest of the division. Matt Davidson took the Reds’ DH at-bats in game one, but newcomers Mike Moustakas and Nicholas Castellanos will cycle through as well. The pitching is underrated, and they’re going to be a force. The Brewers roll out two of the most impactful rostered players in the sport in Josh Hader and Christian Yelich, a dangerous pair of superstars in a short season. The Pirates are an organization in transition, and if they manage a string together a competitive 60-game season, it’ll be a surprise. Until a new champ is crowned, however, the Cardinals remain the toast of the NL Central. With Carlos Martinez back in the rotation and Matt Carpenter set to take a healthy slate of DH at-bats, the 2020 Cardinals are a slightly different shape, but no less formidable.
Which team do you think is the best of the bunch? (Poll link for app users.)
That Reds lineup and rotation could do some damage. If there defense can kind of come together and not lag too far behind they could really be a problem in the NL.
Although I agree with you, as someone that has lived in Cincinnati their whole life, the Reds are known for being incompetent and for screwing things up when they matter most. I don’t see their bullpen or defense holding up this season; two things that should be vital in this sprint of a season
Their*** JDGOUT. You should’ve learned the difference by grade four! Our Canadian public school system is failing
Ugh f me that ruined the post lol
There, their, they’re, don’t feel bad, Er, badly?
Cinci is deep in the lineup, high potential rotation, big arms in the pen. There only problem is defense.
It’s hard to pick against the Cardinals. Regardless of how they appear on paper, they always seem to find a way to win.
Mike Schildt has worked wonders with the cardinals and it’s easy to see. Defense went from worst to first in his first year. More guys are stealing bases. And he seems to know how to get the most out of guys like tommy edman and kolten wong. Great coach. I think the cards take the division this year.
Starting to think my Cubbies have no chance to win the division. Hopefully playoffs somehow. I voted for the Big Red Machine to win the division
Can everyone stop with “The Big Red Machine” nonsense? I know the Reds made a lot moves in the off-season but they haven’t been a playoff team since 2013. Wake me up when they win something or are known for anything other than fighting the Pirates.
Mark your calendar in 60 days
They’ll finish below .500
Well besides being a bit of a baby, you’re right. The Big Read Machine was the 70’s not todays team. New eras need to earn their own nick names, and they haven’t done that yet.
I agree, they made some flashy moves but coming off an 87 loss season I don’t see enough for the turn around required to win the division.
And wake me up when people realize a bad defense sabotages all pitching staffs.
My guess is the Reds finish 3rd in the division behind the Brewers and Cards.
I still can’t go against the Cardinals just yet. My 1-5 for the division is Cardinals, Reds, Cubs, Brewers, Pirates
I agree with that.
I voted the pirates first because I have a great sense of humor.
Based on your username, you really don’t.
Well said
Cards ….Cincy is deep but when u play in a launching pad it’s easy to let games get away.
Especially with poor defense. The runs can really start to stack up against you.
Hope your right. I’m thinking Reds tbh
Duh, it’s clearly the Pirates.
But in all serisousness, the safe bet is the Cardinals. They’re always in it every year. But I really think the Reds are going to be really good this year after all the additions they made.
What’s this drum beat about poor defense? Akiyama and Senzel are both good defenders, Castellanos and Winker not so much, but the can hide 1 as a DH. The infield is average. I’d bet the Reds end around 15 in most defensive metrics.
Defense isn’t good at all
Other NL teams can hide a horrid defender at DH this year too.
Reds defense just sucks.
Oh, very convincing argument. The Reds were 12 in MLB fielding % last season. Only the Cards ranked higher in the Central. They basically flipped a poor fielding LF (Winker) to good fielding LF (Shogo). They flipped their average fielding RF (Puig) to a poor fielding (Castellanos). Not much of a difference there, they upgraded at SS, and about the same at 2B. I don’t see why they are all of a sudden going to be the horrible fielding team you claim.
No only the Reds have the DH, you need to read the rules. LOL Yes, which gives the Reds 1 bad Defender. I’d say almost all teams have 1 they can’t hide to.
As far as bad defenders, though, it don’t get much worse than Castellanos
Castellanos has improved by leaps and bounds. Yeah, he was an infielder just a few seasons ago, but he’s worked hard on his D. Castellanos spent an hour taking fly balls after the Reds opening day win. He’s well on his way to becoming an average defender. And Senzel will win a GG in CF before he’s done, which takes some more pressure off of Castellanos in a small OF.
Reds. I personally like the Cubs more than the Cards btw, but that race will be for 2nd. Brewers IMO are a lock for 4th, I still think they are an underrated team, but I have to take into account the loss of Moustakas and Grandal. I predict that some Pirate’s players continue to breakout, and then proceed to get traded at the deadline.
Now, don’t get me wrong, this might be up there for the closest division in baseball along with the N.L East. Here are my Division Standings:
Reds – 34-26
Cubs – 31-29
Cardinals – 30-30
Brewers- 27- 33
Pirates – 25 – 35
Cards. most well rounded team in the Central, even if just a tad moreso then the Reds.
I picked the brewers off a hunch. Lol probably wrong but we will see
Cards. They are like the Patriots except they don’t cheat.
…or win titles.
Might want to check the record books on that one.
Tell us please who have more Divisional Titles. The Cardinals have more than the other teams combined. National League Pennants again the Cardinals. World Series Titles? Yes your right. The St Louis Cardinals.
Chris Correa would like a word on that last point.
3.73 percent of voters are on drugs and/or delusional.
Reds
Cubs
Cards
Brewers
Pirates
The more a team can play the Tigers/ Royals/ Pirates, the better off they are.
Each NL Central will play 10 vs Pittsburgh. Pirates play 6 games at St. Louis & 7 games at Cincinnati while hosting a majority of the games against Milwaukee & ChiCubs.
Reds & Cardinals also have schedule advantage over Cubs & Brewers with inter-league play.
Cardinals get 6 vs Royals along with 4 vs Tigers (so 20 games against that group of 3 rebuilding teams)
Reds get 6 vs Tigers,along with 4 vs Royals (so again 20 games against that group of 3 rebuilding teams)
Cubs get 6 vs White Sox along with 4 vs Royals & 3 vs Tigers (so only 17 games against that group of 3 rebuilding teams).
Brewers get 6 vs Twins along with 4 vs Tigers & 3 vsRoyals (so again only 17 games against that group of 3 rebuilding teams).
I have to think that 3 game difference will be just as impactful as head to head play among these 4 NL Central teams..
I would not be surprised if either Cardinals or Reds won the NL Central & fully expect them to finish in the top 2 in the division…
My best guess is the cards nobody talking about them thats when they usually excel..cubs with heyward 30 win team..without him they are a 35 win team…he kills a potential scoring inning pretty much every game he starts..they should trade a higher prospect just to get rid of him they would be a better team..brewers look like a solid wild card team..reds will under achieve again..pirates not even a consideration this year
Guess again Justme. The Reds have the best rotation in the division, as well as the best starter at each spot #1 to #5. They added Moustaukas and Castellanos to the middle of their lineup. The Cards will be hard pressed to stay in front of Cincy.
You just made my point i said they would under achieve…never said they don’t have talent. In fact they probably a top 10 team in overall talent
I said it back in Jan or Feb and I’m sticking to it: Cubs.
How about Hendricks last night? I wasn’t expecting a shutout from any pitcher this year, let alone on Opening Day. Either he’s already in mid-season form or Ross really wanted him to finish that game (103 pitches).
And today they lost 8-3.
And couldn’t figure out how to execute a rundown.
That run down was the endgame for their loss. It wasn’t even a tied game yet. The next batter knocked the run in. It was all downhill from that moment. They threw the ball way too many times.
Bryant
Rizzo
Baez
Contreras
Schwarber
Hoerner
Happ
Caratini /bote
Heyward
Looks like a division winning lineup to me
Still in first Cubbies
2020 is so Weird! GO CREWERS GO!!!
The virus wins