Predicting the N.L. Central

      I will preface this prediction by saying I am a die-hard Cub fan.  But if the Cubs don't run away with the central I will be shocked.  This division stinks.

N.L. Central.

                Pecota                Wins                                                Cru's Corner                Wins

1.    Cubs                           90.8                                                1. Cub                        93

2.    Mil                             81.1                                               2.  Pits                        83

3.    Pits                            79.8                                                  3.  Mil                       80

4.    Cin                            78.8                                                  4.  Cin                       79

5.    STL                           66.2                                                  5.  STL                      64

     The Cubs have spent their money wisely in the winter of 2025.  Alex Bregman will provide the offense with the right-handed power bat they were lacking last year, and the rest of the line-up is filled with experienced run producers.  Pete Crow Armstrong and Michael Busch should both benefit from a years experience and will likely show improvements in their numbers.  Dansby Swanson, Nico Horner, and PCA provide the best defensive middle in all of baseball.  The rotation was bolstered by the addition of Edward Cabrera and the 27 year old provides a strong future with 24 year old ace Cade Horton. Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon both had good seasons in 2025 and are expected to be crucial in the back of the rotation.  The return of Justin Steele will also give this rotation a giant lift in late May or early June.  Daniel Palencia as the closer and Phil Maton and Hunter Harvey to set up really may be the biggest improvement from the start of 2025 to now.  I think Miguel Amaya wins the catching job back and provides a spark.  

     The Pittsburgh Pirates might rely on their starting pitching more than any other team in the MLB.  Paul Skenes is the best starter in the National League and probably all of baseball. Mitch Keller and Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler are all under the age of 30 and about to make a name for themselves.  All power arms with high strike out potential.  Veteran Jose Urguidy is an excellent number five starter who can mentor the youth as it develops.  Offensively, the Pirates will need a return to form from Oneil Cruz.  Last season he got off to a slow start, maybe learning a new position in centerfield, and just never really reached his potential.  Adding Brandon Lowe and Marcell Osuna will help protect Cruz in the order.  Pitching alone makes this team a contender for a long awaited playoff spot, albeit as a wild card.

     The Milwaukee Brewers may have had the most disappointing off season of all teams in the MLB.  Allowing Peralta to leave weakens the starting pitching staff and this team needs more depth.  Brandon Woodruff and Jacob Misiorowski must stay healthy for the entire 2026 season, or the Brewers will be relying on minor leaguers to to carry the load.  Quinn Priester and Chad Patrick provide very solid three and four starters.  The line-up with Jackson Churrio, Brice Turang, and William Contreras is definitely formidable, but the bottom of the order might lack some pop.  Luis Rengifo, Garrett Mitchell, and Joey Ortiz will have to find a way to produce run if this team is to compete.  Murphy has proven to be a great coach, but it appears this year has too much to overcome.

     The Cincinatti Reds are going to be an exciting team to watch again this year.  Signing Eugenio Suarez to hit behind Elly De La Cruz will create runs as the days of pitching around De la Cruz are over.  In that ballpark, Eugenio might hit 60 home runs.  TJ Friedll and Noelvi Marte have already proven they can hit, and JJ Bieday and Matt McLain should provide runs at the bottom of the order.  The question for the Reds is will they get anybody out.  Hunter Green is a hard throwing right-hander that can dominate when he throws strikes.  Chase Burns was considered a can't miss arm when he was drafted in the first round, but hasn't really found his mark yet.  Emilio Pagan will close but it looks like another year of struggles for an inexperienced bullpen.

     I'm not sure what caused the St. Louis Cardinals to fall off so badly over the past few seasons, but their fanbase is angry and rightfully so.  As a cub fan, I hate the Cardinals.  But baseball is better when the Cardinals are good.  It appears in 2026 that the Cardinals are going with the youth movement.  Masyn Winn and JJ Wetherholt are both 23 year old middle infielders who have very bright futures. Teamed with outfielder and fellow 23 year old Jordan Walker, and 25 year old third baseman Nolan Gorman, the futre is now in St. Louis.  The pitching staff may be a bigger concern for the Cardinals as Matthew Liberatore  and often injured Dustin May are the only guys with much experience.  The Cardinals have fallen to last in the central, and it's sad.