How do you see the NL Central

[Melville]

It looks like to me to be one of the most interesting Divisions in Baseball. Milwaukee hasn’t done enough to remain at the top, in my opinion. That said, they always seem to find a way to surprise everyone.
The Cubs have the bigger names, but does that really win you anything.
Pittsburg has the starting pitching, and several hitters who are not considered Stars, but solid, none the less. If they all have good seasons, they might surprise. The Reds have solid pitching, but their offense will need to do better than last year. Suarez should help them immensely! Is this the year Del La Cruz becomes a Star, or once again disappoints?
The Cardinals could have the strongest bullpen in the Division, but probably the worst starting pitching going into the season. So many guys will, first, need to be healthy, then need to actually pitch well. Neither is a given!
It really is a good debate! The Division is up for grabs, so it’s a shame that the a cardinals didn’t do more to even try to compete in it.

Correct.
Ceiling for the Brewers, Cubs, and Reds is 86-92 wins - and their floor is around 80.
Pirates ceiling is 85 - 89 wins- and their floor is around 78.
Cardinals ceiling is 84-85 wins - and their floor is around 76.
Any of the 5 could grab a wild card depending on how the other divisions shake out, but likely only 3 have a true shot to win the division.
Zero excuse for the Cardinals to not play above .500 in 2026.

They will find one…

Hint: He writes the line-up card.

[45s]

It looks like to me to be one of the most interesting Divisions in Baseball. Milwaukee hasn’t done enough to remain at the top, in my opinion. That said, they always seem to find a way to surprise everyone.
The Cubs have the bigger names, but does that really win you anything.
Pittsburg has the starting pitching, and several hitters who are not considered Stars, but solid, none the less. If they all have good seasons, they might surprise. The Reds have solid pitching, but their offense will need to do better than last year. Suarez should help them immensely! Is this the year Del La Cruz becomes a Star, or once again disappoints?
The Cardinals could have the strongest bullpen in the Division, but probably the worst starting pitching going into the season. So many guys will, first, need to be healthy, then need to actually pitch well. Neither is a given!
It really is a good debate! The Division is up for grabs, so it’s a shame that the a cardinals didn’t do more to even try to compete in it.

Correct.
Ceiling for the Brewers, Cubs, and Reds is 86-92 wins - and their floor is around 80.
Pirates ceiling is 85 - 89 wins- and their floor is around 78.
Cardinals ceiling is 84-85 wins - and their floor is around 76.
Any of the 5 could grab a wild card depending on how the other divisions shake out, but likely only 3 have a true shot to win the division.
Zero excuse for the Cardinals to not play above .500 in 2026.

They will find one…

Hint: He writes the line-up card.

It has to be quite a challenge for him…

“Well, which triple A guy do I play today”?

[scoutyjones2]

5 teams with no real chance of winning a WS

[Cardinals4Life]

Interesting division


PIT 91-71: they made several great additions this offseason. They now have basically a solid 6 player mix of Reynolds, O'Hearn, ONeil Cruz, Jhostynxin Garcia, Marcell Ozuna, and Spencer Horwitz to cover the 5 positions of 1B/DH/LF/RF/CF. It looks deep enough. The rotation has Skenes in it Enough said. It will be interesting to keep tabs on that Johan Oviedo for Jhostynxin Garcia trade. I think Oviedo may struggle in Boston in the AL East, but in Pittsburgh there is a chance he may have been a solid starter in that rotation. Will Jhostynxin Garcia be an impact player? He has 20-20 upside as a centerfielder. One thing for sure, when Konnor Griffin arrives he will no doubt be an impact player. I think he has a scene to burst on the scene like Trout (in 2012).
CIN 86-76: I like the Suarez addition, they already have Sal Stewart coming on. Maybe they go get Tauchman to create OF depth. The pitching if healthy can be just as good as Pittsburgh, no Skenes but maybe a deeper staff. They definitely did not go to the extent that Pittsburgh did in bolstering the roster, but still a good young team that could emerge behind Elly De La Cruz.
MIL 83-79: it's hard to do that since they haven't finished below 86 wins since 2016. It'll be interesting to see what kind of impact and how soon they get it from Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat. I don't think Misorowski will hit the mark as an ace with his wildness. Chourio would have to have a .900 ops with 35 homers I think for this Brewer team to win 90 games again.
CHC 81-81: Bregman should easily replace Tucker's poor offense while playing a good third base. Still I don't like the Cubs so [fork] em. I think the starting staff will suck.
STL 73-89: I think not as good nor not as bad as I see some predicting. Weak offense with a couple bright spots, I think the starting staff has an interesting high floor.

Do I have it right?

Pittsburgh is not winning the division. No shot.

[Cardinals4Life]

It looks like to me to be one of the most interesting Divisions in Baseball. Milwaukee hasn’t done enough to remain at the top, in my opinion. That said, they always seem to find a way to surprise everyone.
The Cubs have the bigger names, but does that really win you anything.
Pittsburg has the starting pitching, and several hitters who are not considered Stars, but solid, none the less. If they all have good seasons, they might surprise. The Reds have solid pitching, but their offense will need to do better than last year. Suarez should help them immensely! Is this the year Del La Cruz becomes a Star, or once again disappoints?
The Cardinals could have the strongest bullpen in the Division, but probably the worst starting pitching going into the season. So many guys will, first, need to be healthy, then need to actually pitch well. Neither is a given!
It really is a good debate! The Division is up for grabs, so it’s a shame that the a cardinals didn’t do more to even try to compete in it.

Correct.
Ceiling for the Brewers, Cubs, and Reds is 86-92 wins - and their floor is around 80.
Pirates ceiling is 85 - 89 wins- and their floor is around 78.
Cardinals ceiling is 84-85 wins - and their floor is around 76.
Any of the 5 could grab a wild card depending on how the other divisions shake out, but likely only 3 have a true shot to win the division.
Zero excuse for the Cardinals to not play above .500 in 2026.

They will find one…

Hint: He writes the line-up card.

It has to be quite a challenge for him…

“Well, which triple A guy do I play today”?

Marmol has ZERO clue. This is the guy who took the MVP, Paul Goldschmidt and continually tried to make him a table setter for Lar Nootbaar (whose only plus part of his game is his OBP). Just an example. There are many, many more.

[Hoosier59]

It will be interesting to see how Marmol fills out the card! Hopefully no Burleson or Herrera in the two hole! He has done it before, but those two need to be 3, 4, or 5. One of those spots.
Scott, Winn, Nootbaar, or Wetherholt at lead off, or in that 2 hole. I’d like to see Torres given a chance at one of those, but I highly doubt he’s given one. One thing is for sure, there’s a lot of flexibility and Marmol will take advantage of it!

[ScalesofJustice]

Brewers
Bucs
Reds
Cubbies
Cards

We keep underestimating the Brewers. They just play winning baseball.

[Melville]

It will be interesting to see how Marmol fills out the card! Hopefully no Burleson or Herrera in the two hole! He has done it before, but those two need to be 3, 4, or 5. One of those spots.
Scott, Winn, Nootbaar, or Wetherholt at lead off, or in that 2 hole. I’d like to see Torres given a chance at one of those, but I highly doubt he’s given one. One thing is for sure, there’s a lot of flexibility and Marmol will take advantage of it!

Or, more correctly, The Marmot will abuse it.

[45s]

It looks like to me to be one of the most interesting Divisions in Baseball. Milwaukee hasn’t done enough to remain at the top, in my opinion. That said, they always seem to find a way to surprise everyone.
The Cubs have the bigger names, but does that really win you anything.
Pittsburg has the starting pitching, and several hitters who are not considered Stars, but solid, none the less. If they all have good seasons, they might surprise. The Reds have solid pitching, but their offense will need to do better than last year. Suarez should help them immensely! Is this the year Del La Cruz becomes a Star, or once again disappoints?
The Cardinals could have the strongest bullpen in the Division, but probably the worst starting pitching going into the season. So many guys will, first, need to be healthy, then need to actually pitch well. Neither is a given!
It really is a good debate! The Division is up for grabs, so it’s a shame that the a cardinals didn’t do more to even try to compete in it.

Correct.
Ceiling for the Brewers, Cubs, and Reds is 86-92 wins - and their floor is around 80.
Pirates ceiling is 85 - 89 wins- and their floor is around 78.
Cardinals ceiling is 84-85 wins - and their floor is around 76.
Any of the 5 could grab a wild card depending on how the other divisions shake out, but likely only 3 have a true shot to win the division.
Zero excuse for the Cardinals to not play above .500 in 2026.

They will find one…

Hint: He writes the line-up card.

It has to be quite a challenge for him…

“Well, which triple A guy do I play today”?

Marmol has ZERO clue. This is the guy who took the MVP, Paul Goldschmidt and continually tried to make him a table setter for Lar Nootbaar (whose only plus part of his game is his OBP). Just an example. There are many, many more.

You will not find any comments from me praising marmol…

but the reality is that he has had really poor rosters..

These are not the local high school team players….it’s ok to be critical…

You’re still a good person…

[Stlcardsblues]

5 teams with no real chance of winning a WS

This is the correct answer. It’s a mediocre division.

[Cardinals4Life]

It looks like to me to be one of the most interesting Divisions in Baseball. Milwaukee hasn’t done enough to remain at the top, in my opinion. That said, they always seem to find a way to surprise everyone.
The Cubs have the bigger names, but does that really win you anything.
Pittsburg has the starting pitching, and several hitters who are not considered Stars, but solid, none the less. If they all have good seasons, they might surprise. The Reds have solid pitching, but their offense will need to do better than last year. Suarez should help them immensely! Is this the year Del La Cruz becomes a Star, or once again disappoints?
The Cardinals could have the strongest bullpen in the Division, but probably the worst starting pitching going into the season. So many guys will, first, need to be healthy, then need to actually pitch well. Neither is a given!
It really is a good debate! The Division is up for grabs, so it’s a shame that the a cardinals didn’t do more to even try to compete in it.

Correct.
Ceiling for the Brewers, Cubs, and Reds is 86-92 wins - and their floor is around 80.
Pirates ceiling is 85 - 89 wins- and their floor is around 78.
Cardinals ceiling is 84-85 wins - and their floor is around 76.
Any of the 5 could grab a wild card depending on how the other divisions shake out, but likely only 3 have a true shot to win the division.
Zero excuse for the Cardinals to not play above .500 in 2026.

They will find one…

Hint: He writes the line-up card.

It has to be quite a challenge for him…

“Well, which triple A guy do I play today”?

Marmol has ZERO clue. This is the guy who took the MVP, Paul Goldschmidt and continually tried to make him a table setter for Lar Nootbaar (whose only plus part of his game is his OBP). Just an example. There are many, many more.

You will not find any comments from me praising marmol…

but the reality is that he has had really poor rosters..

These are not the local high school team players….it’s ok to be critical…

You’re still a good person…

Marmol is a huge problem.