With the 2026 season set to begin today, the offseason is now complete for MLB’s 30 teams. Until the playoffs begin, teams will be focused on a smaller goal: winning their division. In the run-up to the start of the season, we will be conducting a series of polls to gauge who MLBTR readers believe is the favorite in each division. The Blue Jays came out on top in the AL East, and the Tigers did the same in our poll on the AL Central, and the Mariners were predicted to win the AL West. Yesterday, MLBTR readers overwhelmingly voted (66%) to predict the Dodgers would win the NL West. Today, we’ll be moving on to the NL Central. All teams are listed in order of their 2025 regular season record:
Milwaukee Brewers (97-65)
The Brewers were the best team in baseball by regular season record last year. While their close NLDS matchup against their division rivals from Chicago and a demoralizing sweep at the hands of the Dodgers in the NLCS did little to answer questions about the club’s viability in October, they’ve won three straight division titles and haven’t finished a 162-game season with fewer than 86 wins since 2016. At some point, it becomes hard not to reward that consistency, and even after a winter where the club traded away Freddy Peralta, Isaac Collins, and Caleb Durbin without making any obviously impactful additions to the roster, it’s easy to imagine Milwaukee’s run of success continuing in 2026. Jackson Chourio is certainly capable of a breakout, and Jacob Misiorowski could make Brewers fans forget Peralta in a hurry if the flamethrowing righty takes a step forward.
Chicago Cubs (92-70)
The Cubs failed to win the division last season, lost to their division rivals in the ALDS, and watched superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker walk in free agency over the offseason. Despite all of that, however, Chicago is viewed by some around the game as the heavy favorite in the NL Central. That’s thanks to a busy offseason where they brought Alex Bregman into the organization and landed right-hander Edward Cabrera in trade. Those external additions, larger contributions from up-and-coming youngsters Moises Ballesteros and Cade Horton, and the healthy return of Justin Steele to the top of the club’s rotation should all help the Cubs make up for the loss of Tucker. The true x-factor for Chicago’s hopes in the division this year, however, will surely be the recently-extended Pete Crow-Armstrong. If he looks anything like he did in the first half of 2025, he should be in the MVP conversation and help lead the Cubs to new heights. If he’s more like his second half, however, the Cubs could find themselves on the outside looking in for what should be a competitive NL Central race this year.
Cincinnati Reds (83-79)
The Reds shocked many fans and analysts when they managed to squeak into the postseason last year, and this offseason saw them bring old friend Eugenio Suarez back into the fold to add some thump to a lineup that was lackluster for most of 2026. It was a strong addition to be sure, but the loss of both Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo for the start of the 2026 season will put a lot of pressure on young arms like Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns, and Brandon Williamson to carry the team in the early parts of the season. If the team’s youngsters can do that until Greene returns to his spot at the top of the rotation, perhaps Suarez and Elly De La Cruz can create enough offense to get the Reds to the postseason in more convincing fashion this year.
St. Louis Cardinals (78-84)
The Cardinals finally executed their long-teased rebuild this offseason, dealing away Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, Brendan Donovan, and Nolan Arenado in the span of three months. The resulting team has plenty of reasons for hope in the future, including star prospect JJ Wetherholt, but for the time being, it’s hard to see this club as anything other than the obvious weak link in the NL Central. A banner rookie season from Wetherholt would need to be combined with big steps forward for players like Jordan Walker, Nolan Gorman, and Matthew Liberatore alongside a rebound for Dustin May if there’s going to be any hope of playoff baseball in St. Louis this year. That’s a tall order to say the least, but players like Masyn Winn and Ivan Herrera at least look like solid building blocks for the future.
Pittsburgh Pirates (71-91)
The Pirates may have finished fifth in the NL Central last year, but it would be a shock to see them do so again in 2026. They’re a popular darkhorse pick to even take the division this year, and it’s not hard to see why. Reigning NL Cy Young award winner Paul Skenes might be the best pitcher on the planet, and he’s backed up by a strong rotation that also includes Bubba Chandler and Mitch Keller headed into 2026. Those pitchers will be supported by a completely rebuilt offense this year, as Brandon Lowe, Marcell Ozuna, Ryan O’Hearn, and Jake Mangum are all in place to help boost a lineup that relied on Spencer Horwitz, Oneil Cruz, and Bryan Reynolds as its middle of the order bats last year. A bullpen that lost David Bednar at last year’s trade deadline but added Gregory Soto over the winter comes with some questions, and the team’s defense seems likely to leave something to be desired, but this is easily the most competitive the Pirates have been in a decade.
How do MLBTR readers think the NL Central will shake out this year? Will Milwaukee’s dominance continue despite dealing away Peralta and others? Will the Cubs take that extra step even after losing Kyle Tucker? Have the Pirates or Reds done enough to bridge the gap and push themselves into the conversation? Or will the Cardinals’ expected rebuilding phase end before it even begins? Have your say in the poll below:
Every year the Brewers look worse on paper and yet they continue to win. They do some dark magic witchcraft in Milwaukee I’m sure of it. I’d say they’re a mortal lock at this point to win the division
LLLL
Can we find a new narrative please? I’ve only heard this about five thousand times already this month.
Milwaukee’s dark magic and witchcraft make them a. mortal lock to win the NL Central. That or they have a unique player development approach that works better than it would seem like it would to outsiders. But it’s probably the magic and witchcraft.
I’m a Cub fan but I think the division will be up for grabs. And I think whoever comes out on top or WC, will be battle tested by a lot of competitive games. I think any one of those teams could get hot and win it.
Cards fan here and I agree. It seems like an incredibly close year. I don’t think the Cardinals will win it, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see any team win it this year. Should be a good divisional race all season.
I liken it to the NFC North. It’s suddenly become incredibly competitive and maybe the toughest division in the NFL I could see the same thing happening in the NL Central.
What about the NFC West? Besides the Arizona Cardinals, that’s quite a gauntlet.
The Brewers coming off 97 wins with a roster all prime-age but for Yelich, along with the best farm in the game. Back-to-back executive of the year. Back to back manager of the year. 9 starting pitchers with BL experience controlled for 4-6+ years.
The Cubs with 8 pitchers 32 or older.
The Pirates and Reds are 78-85 win teams.
Bloom will rebuild St Louis in short order, but not the next couple of years.
Bud Selig has a fan?!?!?
Aside from the overblown All-Star Game tie, he did a lot of great things for Milwaukee baseball and is the main reason the Brewers exist. Yes, as commish he oversaw a dreadful era of cheating, and I don’t know if anyone really thinks he was great at that job, but there was a lot that was out of his control. That aside, I think there’s still a reasonable amount of goodwill towards him in his home state.
It’s for BUD himself
It doesn’t make any sense at all that they continue to win and keep winning the division. Last 5 yrs they’ve traded hader, burnes and peralta and let adames walk as a FA. Yet they continue to win and they also have the best farm system according to MLB pipeline so they’re not going anywhere anytime soon
Chourio out 3 months
Stars aligning for Pirates division title
Goku,
Your proclamation as the Knowledgeable One is in question since initial reporting says 2-4 weeks. Either you’re way off or misspelled “weeks” as “months.”
If you ever watched the show Goku is not that bright.
Ouch the reds got fewer votes than the pirates?
Why wouldn’t they?
Probably because the Pirates have an ace in the hole.
stallion…..only goes to show what the fans know…..which ain’t much!
As a Pirates fan, I can say that it’s more than likely neither of us will win it.
Anyone who doesn’t have a team in the central will vote pirates. We all love a good underdog
I wanted to vote Pirates for sure.
It’s just one game but if you watched the Pirates today, you had to laugh. Watching Cruz butcher two balls in center field was jolting in that you had to pinch yourself to remember that hey, he’s a major leaguer. And jogging after a soft line drive that he misplayed into a triple?
Skenes looked beatable in his last spring start.
He looked the same today.
Aw but 1 down, 161 to go
Cruz came in and then realized that the ball was going over his head which led to a 3 run triple
His other defensive mishap was not getting underneath the fly ball and missed catching it
Plus he struck out 3 times swinging at pitches nowhere near the plate
Despite his speed, he shouldn’t be batting lead off
Time for Mangum.
Magnum P.I.?
I think what bothered me most—again—was his not going full tilt after he misplayed the line drive. If it’s obvious to two sportscasters here on their reports, it’s obvious to everyone.
They are not going to win with him in centerfield.It is too important of a position.
They may have to move him back to shortstop and put Griffin in centerfield.
Or if they keep him next year just use him as a DH against right handed pitchers.
Time should be running out for him on the Pirates.
I reckon either the Reds or Pirates will make the playoffs. Both teams have a ton of potential, so whichever of them gets the bounce of the ball to turn their ~80 win team into an 88 or 89 win team.
The highest probability playoff teams in the NL are the Dodgers, Cubs, Mets, Phillies and Braves. This leaves one playoff berth for the remaining six or seven likely contenders, and that’s some terrible math. One of them will make the cut, obviously, but predicting which one can’t be better than a guess. The Brewers, Giants, Padres, and D’backs have just about a good a chance as the Reds and Pirates.
I agree, just a guess. Every year some teams disappoint, some over achieve. Some get lucky.
This season should be very interesting. Some of the more favoured teams are a little sus.
Sure. It’s only that the field of contenders for the NL wildcard slots is very crowded this year. Also it occurs to me that no teams has won 100 games for several season running. So despite the emergence of a few “super teams,” overall the field is more competitive now than it’s been in quite a while.
Pirates showed today that the hitting is clearly better but the defense is even worse.
Neither Reynolds nor Cruz had sunglasses.Where was the coaching staff if their outfielders are too stupid to bring them?
I say the Brewers instead of the Braves and the Pirates should have a winning record but not make the wild card.
Nice to see Lowe and O’Hearn providing power, no doubt about it. And again, I’m fine with a .500 team. One that hustles and hates losing. It’s all I can hope for. But besides those two guys and Nick chipping in with two hits, this was largely the same Pirates attack, with 10 K’s to boot
It’s early, of course. But add in Skenes being “off” in two straight starts going back to spring training and well, it’s a bit troubling
I am not convinced that Reynolds is still the hitter and outfielder that he once was.
They tout Cruz’ arm but he throws sidearm half the time.
Reynolds’ throws today were way off the mark.
What I am concerned about most is their fielding.
Some of these posters do not think that Nick is a good player but he is always hustling and playing the game the way that they are supposed to.
People continue to under-rate Pat Murphy. Give me the Brewers.
Yeah people buy the Cubbie hype every year and Milwaukee wins the division.
Chubbies will poop the bed like they always do
They were great last yr were they not? Sure they lost to the Brewers in the yoffs but I dont see Milwaukee putting up a fight when it matters most
When it matters most, such as in the yoffs??
Ya the divisional round is their world series thats for sure
I mean it would be crazy to pick anyone but the Doyers to win the WS, but the poll is asking who will win the NL Central. Brewers put up a better fight than the Cubs when it mattered most to the Cubs. *shrug*
“Putting up a fight when it matters most”…like 1. winning the division and 2. beating the Cubs in the playoffs.
Yeah.. he must have missed the last week of the season.
And you’ll keep trolling..
Until they actually lose, I have to vote for the Brewers. Every year they are discounted and every year it seems like they win.
Pittsburgh Pirates 2026 National League Central Champions. World Series between Pittsburgh and Detroit.
Put your money down. The odds are really high. A $2000 bet earns you $100k if you win.
That’s an excellent return. I’ve got like three monopoly games in there. Let me go get some cash.
Anyone who doesn’t vote Pirates is a cowardly landlubber who will walk the plank
Could not bring myself to vote for Pitt but will cast my vote for them if the poll is “who do you want to win the NL Central”. It would be a great feel good story for MLB.
Every team going thru a rebuild, including Pittsburgh, has to set a goal of playing .500 ball before reaching higher.
Hmmm, sounds like something a cowardly landlubber might say…
except that the Pirates aren’t going through a rebuild and you would know this if you were paying attention over the course of this past winter
How are Pirates in a rebuild?
Did you follow their offseason? Theyre in year 1 of contending
There is no guarantee that they will contend for anything except perhaps a winning record.
Last I looked, their spring record was 16-11 or so. Best since ‘18 or ‘19, I believe, but the guys I was most impressed with have been sent down. It’s ok. But it’s hard to see them being much more than a .500 team
I have them at 84 wins but no playoffs.
I hope that Skenes is not believing all of his press releases.
I think that the WBC also adversely affects the players as it disrupts spring training.
Facts paul was off yesterday
If cruz makes a simple catch (twice) they come out of the inning up 2-1
Of the 4 hits against Paul, 2 were Cruz blunders, and one was a Polanco check swing that stayed fair. Soto the only one to land a real hit . He’ll be fine
Disaster game, but the Pirates put up 7 runs against a top team. Something to build on
They struck out 10 times. They are picking up where they left off. Their 7 runs were largely thanks to new acquisitions Lowe and O’Hearn. Those guys can’t do it alone.
Amazingly, Gonzales continues to be the only left over from last season who looks like he can hit
I get that Skenes gets out of the 1st with a 2-2 score at worst if Cruz makes the plays. Fine. But again, this is two starts in a row that he didn’t have his stuff.
But let’s overlook Skenes and say he’ll be fine, as you note. I went with 80-83 wins for this season and I’ll stick with it. They added a couple bats and I’m thrilled. They have some talented kids coming through the pipeline. Bravo.
But to answer a question you asked of another fan here, yeah, I watched all through spring training and yesterday, of course. It’s a long season and there will be highs and lows but patterns are patterns
The strikeouts speak volumes
Watching Reynolds, Cruz, Davis, Triolo at the plate was like watching ‘25
As for Cruz, read Madden’s column in today’s Trib. He is what he is. And Kelly has a problem
Davis is the only player not to strike out and hit a run producing double and another statistic from yesterday’s game,, they drew no walks
Yup. I stand corrected
Cruz and Reynolds also got hits tho.
I agree those 2 dont take good ABs (at all) but at least they make the most of their contact and bring some power
Ozuna i thought looked good despite no hits, he made good contact and had a decent approach
Davis i think is in line for an ok season at the plate. Im a henry believer. I don’t think he’ll be awesome but i think he’ll hit ok enough
Triolo is a joke, but fields well.
Really need Konnor up , but gotta put his development first even tho i don’t think he needs it
Goku-Good post.I am hoping for Henry to do well also as I think that pretty much all Pirates fans are doing.
Triolo is very hot and very cold.He is similar to Hayes.He deserves a full time slot though to see how well he can do with it.
I think that Konnor will be up soon enough.It would be a bonus if he gets up by the end of May and plays very well for the Pirates.
Triolo hit a double in Wednesday’s game and came around to score on a 2 run double by Gonzalez
speaking of Cruz, he’s being benched for this afternoon’s game against the Mets and there’s talk of putting him back at his original position, shortstop
Apparently, Don Kelly isn’t too pleased with Cruz’ performance in Wednesday’s game both offensively and defensively
Cruz isnt going to face many lefties this year
If hes used at SS that could solve a lot of infield depth issues until konnor is up
But id be surprised to see the switch
Cruz pinch hit for Bart against a right handed pitcher and struck out on a pitch outside of the zone
He’s a bum and should be sent to Indy to get his swing on track
The rest of the team left 17 runners on base only scoring 2 runs and ruined a great pitching performance by Keller
Two good commentaries in local publications today, one from Madden at the Trib and the other from Hiles at the PG. There is no place to put Cruz and it’s already clear that Mangum is the real deal defensively in center
Two games in and I’m already disgusted
Put Mangum in center and keep him there. Yeah, he’s a Punch and Judy hitter but he’s a solid outfielder and has fire
Cruz is a butcher no matter where you play him and his occasional homers are becoming more like watching Suwinski. He and Reynolds next to him defensively makes you wonder if you’re watching beer league softball. Routine fly balls are adventures
They can’t and shouldn’t mess with Connor at this point. He and Garcia—and others—represent some semblance of hope for the future at this point
Cruz is what he is. At 27, he’s not going to suddenly blossom. The power which is being described is all too rare and can’t justify another wave-the-white-flag position switch
In yesterday’s game, Mangum about climbed the center field wall to catch the ball. Cruz couldn’t do that on his best day which is rare.
Mangum also hit a line drive double in the opposite direction which suggests that he can hit the ball well in every direction
Cruz unfortunately can’t hit the ball in any direction since he strikes out too often
Cruz is back in the lineup for today’s game, in center field and batting lead off
What’s the over/under for errors and separately strikeouts?
Washed- I strongly disagree with your comment about Cruz and a beer league softball team.
I would want him on my team anytime.He would be the DH of course but he would be absolutely AWESOME as long as it was modified pitch height.
The outfielders would have to play 400 feet away.
Why is Triolo batting in front of Horowitz? Can someone please explain this lineup to me?
Our old buddy drove in the wining run against Philly as a member of the Rangers in yesterday’s game
Andrew Mccutchen
If not for O’Hearn and Lowe we wouldn’t have an offense in today’s game
The Sheltie school of lineup arrangement
They have struck out so far 11 times in this game, led by Reynolds with 3. Another great pitching performance by our pitchers and again we have difficulty scoring enough runs
O’Hearn and Lowe should be batting in every inning since it’s apparent they are the only ones who can hit
I am impressed with Carmen’s performance though. 8 strikeouts in 4.1 innings
The new guys. The only hitters they have
Cutch today hit a 3 run homer and added a double in a 8-3 Ranger win over the Phillies
I know this won’t continue ( his hitting) but he’s doing better than anyone on our team not named Lowe or O’Hearn at the moment
You know, I’m very happy for him.
I’m impressed with Lowe and O’Hearn, and especially Mangum
And maybe Davis is waking up
But boy, seeing Cruz stand there and watch a dead red fastball with two strikes and a runner on 2nd late in the game was mind numbing, as always.
I have to wonder if Cruz has vision problems considering he strikes out looking so often but you’re right about what he did in that plate appearance yesterday
Yes, it’s mind boggling
At least he wore sunglasses in the field and got a hit off of a lefty
Everyone writes about the God given athleticism Cruz has. I believe that. Hiles wrote yesterday that the perception of him being aloof or somewhat arrogant is misguided. He quoted Kelly as saying he actually overthinks and internalizes too much. And I can believe that. The guy wants to succeed, I’m sure. Sometimes the perceptions one gets by watching games is not reality
I’d love to see him pull it all together. And to his credit, by all accounts he put in a great deal of work this off season
In a way, I have to fault the player development folks again. His play at short was inconsistent but really, can they afford to keep him in a position that where runs are concerned, he’s much more of a problem.
Kelly has a real problem here in so many ways. If it’s true that he’s his own worst enemy, the poor at bats and errors sure add up. Meanwhile, he has some guys who can do the job out there and has to assemble a hitting lineup.
They have the pitching. They have a pretty solid middle of the order. But they could really use his bat to catch fire
When management put him further down e in the batting order last season he hit better
I think he puts too much pressure on himself when he bats in the lead off position
He’s in the lineup for tonight’s game again in the lead off position
My question is how much rope does Kelly give him to turn things around before making a significant change?
And I still question why Triolo is ahead of Horowitz in the lineup
Good point Paul.Let him ease into an important position in the lineup.They did not have anyone before but now they have some good hitters.He clearly has talent and seems to be trying but it is touch and go whether he will ever improve into a good ML player.
Really, Triolo should bat behind Nick and Davis here. Maybe place Cruz down there after Horwitz, as TheMan3 points out
Just an anemic attack that made Reds pitching look like the 90’s Braves
it’s also time to sit Reynolds for a game. He actually leads the team in strikeouts though Cruz is coming close
The whole lineup needs changing and it starts with Cruz out of the lead off position
I think that Henry might have the third best average among the starters.
Lowe and O’Hearn seem like the real deal.
Not sure if this batting coach Hague is any better.
Reynolds has not been the same hitter since he signed his extension.
well, Kelly continues to stick with Reynolds as he’s in the lineup for tonight’s game
Triolo isn’t though and instead Yorke is at 3rd and Gonzalez at shortstop
Cruz is batting 8th and against a lefty
I have another question. Horowitz played well against lefties last year but this is the second time he’s been benched against a lefty in tonight’s game
Did Kelly take the Shelton course on writing lineups?
And Reynolds homered. LOL. Just never know
Horowitz has one hit and O’Hearn is really a first baseman even though I think that he has looked good in RF.
He has. I think you’ll see this shuffling all year and that’s fine. Nice to see Cruz bomb a couple tonight and hope it builds his confidence. Would’ve been nice to get Bubba a win with 2/3rds more of an inning
I will gladly eat some crow for the comments I made yesterday about Cruz and Reynolds but stand by my other comment about Cruz hitting better when he’s not leading off
It would have been nice to see Bubba get the win but he had problems finding the strike zone that led to 6 walks
Still, a nice victory, and scoring some runs, especially on long balls
You do not have to eat any crow over the results of two games.
Bubba walked way too many guys to deserve the win and what concerns me is that he did not adjust on the mound to throwing the exact same very high pitch over and over and over again.
They are tied with the Angels for most home runs in the MLs!
I do have to say that Cruz with all of his unrefined faults even at this point is a beast of a player.
They’re going to have to take the good with the bad with such a young staff. Bubba. Ashcraft. They’re going to be all over the scale. I’m ok with that. Barco isn’t a starter yet but he’s got a lot to learn, it would seem
Cubs. Alex Bregman is going to be big for the Cubs and Edward Cabrera shores up the rotation.
Bregman didn’t show up for the WBC although his spring training stats were solid otherwise. Remember, Cubs added Bregman but lost Tucker so it’s not a pure plus.
But every year the Brewers are picked to finish second and overachieve — at least for the past three seasons. Too much focus on “losing Peralta,” not enough on what they got in return, and some serious improvement in offense from Ortiz, full season of Vaughn, etc.
Oops that keeps flying under my radar.
If you’re counting on Vaughn plan on his mask coming off. His success was the typical change of scenery/league. He is negative war for his career. Doubt he plays at even a replacement player level this season.
I was told by a Brewers fan to brace myself for a Jake Bauers breakout season. He was serious too.
I’m not overly impressed with those two additions. It’s been a couple seasons since Cabrera has been in form and Bregman is aging while never having a lot of power in the first place. Cubs needed bigger names
In 10 MLB seasons, he’s hit 209 homers. He hit 41 in 2019. How is there no power in the first place and Bregman is the best third basemen on the market and one of the top free agents. What bigger names, Kyle Tucker?
Bigger names: 1. Kyle Tucker 2. Pete Alonso (I could go on)
Pete Alonso. Debatable but the Cubs have Michael Busch.
we’ve got busch……we’ve GOT busch..
I went bold and picked the Pirates. Why not? They have a pulse, so anything is possible.
I’ll go with the second most obvious answer after “which ever team has the most wins,” between the Brewers and the Cubs it’ll end up being whoever has less go wrong or whoever has more go right. Yes, an obvious answer and when you use enough words you can pretend it sounds like an intelligent and well thought out opinion. But honestly, I got little else.
With everything the Brewers gave up they still look solid. With everything the Cubs added they seem only really marginally better. Reds are going to be tenacious and fight for every inch of ground, probably won’t win the division but I’d be surprised if they’re out of the WC race before September. As for the Pirates, well let me know when Griffin is up and we’ll see if he’s the answer to the prayers of the long suffering Pittsburgh fans. The only really great answer seems to be the Cards are likely going to be hanging out at the bottom of the standings for the year.
Yup, sure… This is totally the Cubs year!
PCA contract is going to age very well!
Palencia is a real closer!
Steele will be fine by ASG!
Cube and their bankroll will be watching the Brewers play playoffs baseball. Again
Freddy Peralta is hard to replace but you could argue in Miz’s second season he could get 14 of Freddies wins back plus a full season of woody. Collins is easily replaceable with Garrett Mitchell if he stays healthy. replacing Durbin is something they did not succeed with but maybe you catch the same fire in a bottle with the if depth and great defense they have. Brewers still win the division by a narrow amount over the improved Cubs. 91 wins for the crew, 90 wins for the Cubs. Reds or Pirates make the playoffs with 85 wins – whoever gets hotter at the end of year.
Don’t forget Sproat (picked up in Peralta trade) and Harrison (picked up in the Durbin trade) are both already in the starting rotation. And the usual depth in the bullpen and the minors. Best pitching lab in the majors.
You’re spot on. It will come down to injuries but would expect Brewers / Cubs to be at the top around 90-92 wins. Easy to see the Reds winning 85
This should be a great division to watch.
I went with the Cubs but realize somehow Milwaukee will probably take it. They seem to always do so.
How the Cubs don’t win this division every year is embarrassing.
Dang, looks like the Cubs won the off-season again.
Idk…Bregman is a step down from Tucker and Cabrera was an overpay.
I was being a smart alleck, dont actually like the Cubs off-season that much, agree on both your points. Cabrera could be solid if hes healthy, but seems like buying high to me
Marlins gave away Luzardo then took cubs to the cleaners. I always liked luzardo better…
It was about the money. Cabrera has a low salary. They gave up prospects to get him. Cassie could be another Tatis. White Sox traded him for a washed up pitcher. Time will tell. Cabrera was an add that was affordable. The only thing I did not like about trading Cassie is that the team will need outfielders next season. Cubs should have gone all in and gotten a closer, front line starter, and resigned Tucker.
Every metric, statistic, or quantifiable measure of performance points to the Cardinals winning 102 games. I’m laying in bed next to 90s Kim Bassinger and I have a Ferrari Dino in the garage, so this is definitely real.
Go Cards!
*loosing 102. Think you are holding your phone upside down 😆
@ Whiffa….I think you received a defective Hooked on Phonics box.
Cubs
Brewers
Reds/Pirates
Cardinals
There’s no tying in baseball 😂
I think this will be a close division. Only the AL East will be a closer division this year. Still think the Brewers edge out the Cubs.
I like the Cubbies on paper, but the Brew Crew will find a way despite trading Freddy to the Mets!
Reds all the way baby ! This is our year ! Burns finishes top 3 cy young while a few of these young hitters finally take a step forward. 93 wins and first place 💪
It’s a tale as old as time….The Cubs win the division every winter and the Brewers win the division every summer.
People just keep rejecting what is True…. The Crew are head/shoulders above the rest of the NL central in player development, particularly on the pitching side but whatever…. Reject it, whats it to me…. U just Keep making it easier and easier to bet and win all the $$…. Fortunately I don’t need/want it…. (I kinda want it ha but I’ve been taught better than to steal from the ReREs….) The issue is this is all just baseball…. But When Jesus comes back, you’d better reject your lies and just go with Truth….
I don’t think anybody rejects that the Brewers are heads and shoulders above the rest when it comes to player development…
Pirates ez
Brewers will be fourth place
Losing Hunter Greene for half the season really hurts the Reds. But regardless, this is the most talented team in the division—it’s just a matter of when their young players put it all together.
Elly, McLain, Sal Stewart, Suarez—this can be a prodigious core on offense. And the rotation is overflowing with elite talent that needs to stay healthy and hone the pitching craft a little more.
The Brewers are the well-oiled machine, and the Cubs have a fair amount of veteran name recognition mixed with some exciting youngsters. But if the Reds players can hit stride this year, that team could be a juggernaut.
Why am I supposed to believe that the Pirates adding a fragile 2B, a DH-only, old bat, and a nice rotational piece (on a contending team, not the Pirates) makes them any better?
Because that fragile 2B is far better than what they had last year. Because that DH-only bat is far better than the DH-only bat they had last year, and the nice rotational piece is far better than the plethora of rotational pieces that they cycled through last year.
Succinct reply
fair points
Because their rotation has some of the best young arms in baseball and added some run support to the lineup, and have a generational talent on the cusp of making mlb at some point this season
Probably the Cubs but i think Pittsburgh might surprise people
Another year of delusion in the north side 🤣🙄
If the Cubs’ studs can stay healthy and Steele comes back on fire, this is an easy division win for them. Need Taillion to figure it out, too.
I’m not sure how or who, but I’m picking STL to finish fourth and one of the other teams to win it and somehow another of the teams to disappoint so badly the cards leap frog them to avoid last place.
Pirates because I am a Pirates fan and the team has done more than normal to attempt to win. That is all well and good but other teams have not just sat on their hands either.
Pirates have the pitching and they have the talent. All they need is the acquisitions to do what they have been doing and a few younger guys to step up to not be bad. They do that and they have a real shot.
well this comment didn’t age well (joke about the crappy 1st game today)
Cruz had a typical day against the Mets in today’s game
Struck out 3 times and misplayed 2 fly balls that contributed to 5 runs in the first inning
Despite his ability to steal bases, he should not be batting lead off
He needs to get his act together really quickly.
They have a bona fide centerfielder riding the bench.
I don’t think you can get blood from a stone. That is, he is what he is. As I believe you’ve said, he’s ideally a DH and no way he could displace Horwitz or O’Hearn at 1st. I think the guy wants to improve but the season is upon us. Given what we saw today, Kelly has a real problem on his hands
I agree.Cruz has had enough time to learn how to hustle and play the position.He is too lackadaisical.
It may very well be the reason that the Dodgers did not see a good future for him.
I’m sure he has options, send him to Indy and bring up Griffin
Mendoza is right, he’s a liability in the field and at the plate, they won’t win with him in the lineup
I was wondering about the options.
That would shake him up!
If anything can.
That would be like going on vacation and seeing that someone has your job when you get back!
Is it uh, too early to say I was wrong about Cruz?
Far too early.
He has shown this before.
Consistency is not his strong point.
No idea why Barco pitched the 11th yesterday. And Robert, homering off of him?
It’s early but boy, it sure looks like a re-run of ‘25. Same anemic offense. Same questionable lineups. Same strange managerial decisions
I thought the Pirates could actually make some noise in this division. I then watched the first few games and if Cruz is in CF for the whole season the chances of a good run are done. He is embarrassing in CF and his lack of effort is a joke. His body language sends a horrible message and let’s be honest he is not very good at the plate either. Moving back to the infield is not ideal because frankly he’s plays lazy, crappy defense where ever you put him.
Yes, we addressed this above and you’re right. Kelly telling the media that the perception is wrong and that he places a great deal of pressure on himself and overthinks. That could be but it does little to remedy his defensive problems
His two homers tonight tell you why they are keeping him but the problem is where do you put him. Mangum is a much better center fielder. Ozuna is the DH. And you already have two 1st basemen
The starters have been solid thus far. The meat of the order looks pretty solid. But Cruz presents a problem doesn’t he? I suspect they’ll do some creative tinkering between he and Mangum out there and to keep Mangum in the lineup, some DH-ing of Reynolds
It’s gonna be interesting
Cruz can DH against righthanders unless AI’s man Ozuna starts hitting.