Last year, three of the top teams in all of baseball called the National League Central their home. The St. Louis Cardinals were the division winners, but the favorite heading into 2016 is the Chicago Cubs. I know it feels weird to think that considering how cursed this team has been over the last century, but it is very justified. The Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates are not that far behind them, which should make for a close race. The Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds are not likely to mount challenges. They are not terrible, though, which makes this division pretty deep.
Chicago Cubs
Odds to win the World Series: 5/1
Notable Additions: John Lackey, Ben Zobrist, Jason Heyward
Notable Losses: Starlin Castro, Dan Haren, Fernando Rodney
The Cubs will win if everything happens the way it supposed to. Last year, this team won 97 games and on paper, they look like they should be even better this season thanks to the progression of some of their young people along with their offseason additions. These are the Cubs, so nothing is guaranteed, but if everyone plays like they can, they will win a lot of games. The reason expectations are so high is that this club is solid in all areas and nobody has to have a career year for them to be really good.
St. Louis Cardinals
Odds to win the World Series: 17/1
Notable Additions: Ruben Tejada, Mike Leake
Notable Losses: Jason Heyward, John Lackey, Jon Jay
The Cardinals will win because they always do. They have had just one losing season since 1999 and made the playoffs all but four of those seasons. They are not going to fall off the map in 2016, but the losses of Heyward and Lackey – directly to the Cubs – weakens this group while strengthening a key rival. However, the Cards are all about not beating themselves and are better than average in all facets of the game. They just aren’t great anywhere right now. Their margin of error is thinner than it has been recently.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Odds to win the World Series: 20/1
Notable Additions: Jon Niese, John Jaso, David Freese
Notable Losses: Neil Walker, Pedro Alvarez, Aramis Ramírez
The Pirates will win because they are better than you think. Pittsburgh has made the playoffs the last three seasons. The Bucs have not had much success in October, but they are still in a position where they can be better. Pittsburgh could have the best outfield in baseball this season and Gerrit Cole is a legit ace. They had the best bullpen ERA in the Majors last season, which gives them a great opportunity to shorten games. The odds say St. Louis is the better team, but don’t be surprised if Pittsburgh finishes ahead.
Milwaukee Brewers
Odds to win the World Series: 125/1
Notable Additions: Chris Carter, Aaron Hill, Chase Anderson
Notable Losses: Adam Lind, Khris Davis, Francisco Rodriguez
The Brewers will win because they should be able to score some runs. Many people out there think that Ryan Braun still has some life in his bat and Jonathan Lucroy might be the best hitting catcher in the Majors. Their arms look just mediocre, but if somebody has a breakout year and they beat up on the really weak teams in the NL, like the Braves, then maybe this is a four-team race until the trade deadline.
Cincinnati Reds
Odds to win the World Series: 125/1
Notable Additions: Alfredo Simon, Scott Schebler
Notable Losses: Todd Frazier, Aroldis Chapman
The Reds will win if their offense is among league leaders. Even without Frazier, there is power on this team and Billy Hamilton can turn any hit into a home run with his legs. The pitching is really unproven and nearly half of their starts last year were by rookies. Maybe those hurlers have already taken their bumps and bruises, and are ready to take a leap forward to respectability this year.
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