The St. Louis Cardinals are the perfect example of a quality teams turning things around following a terrible start. The Cardinals opened the season with a 3-9 record. Since then, they have been the best team in baseball. Ironically, the turnaround in St. Louis hasn’t even been the biggest surprise in the National League Central. That title belongs to the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs, who currently sit third in the NL Central standings. Even the most talented team in baseball has at least one weakness. Here is a look at the weakest link for each National League Central team.
St. Louis Cardinals: Bullpen
Matt Carpenter has been getting on base and slugging at career-high rates. Dexter Fowler has bounced back following a slow start. Mike Leake has played above his head and Lance Lynn has held his own in a starting rotation that has been solid so far. There are plenty of positives to take from the Cardinals turnaround. However, one obvious weakness is their bullpen. The trio of Brett Cecil, Jonathan Broxton and Kevin Siegrist has failed to consistently shut things down in the late innings. Meanwhile, Seung Hwan Oh has bounced back following a shaky start but clearly isn’t invincible either. Baseball fans in St. Louis should be extremely happy with their club’s turnaround. However, the Cardinals still have a lot of work to do. Upgrading their bullpen situation should remain a high priority.
Milwaukee Brewers: Second Base
Jonathan Villar was a breakout star in 2016 when he hit .295 with 19 home runs and 62 stolen bases, which was the best mark in the National League. The Brewers opted not to sell high on Villar in the offseason and it hasn’t worked out for them so far. Villar is hitting just .210 with five home runs and eight stolen bases. It was fair to expect some regression from him this season. However, his batting average in particular is a major concern. Milwaukee can take a lot of positives from its strong start. The Brewers have to be hoping that Villar can turn things around at second base.
Chicago Cubs: Starting Pitching
There is no doubt Chicago has one of the most talented rosters in baseball. The problem is that a lot of things that went right for the Cubs last season haven’t gone nearly as well this year. The starting rotation in particular has been an issue. Chicago’s rotation was the best in the majors last season when its starters registered a 2.96 ERA and tied for the league-lead with 100 quality starts. This year the Cubs staff has produced a 3.86 ERA overall, including a particularly brutal 10.32 ERA in the opening frame. Teams know they have to be at their best against the defending World series champions and they have jumped all over them early on in games. John Lackey and Jake Arrietta have really struggled with ERA’s over 4.50. Brett Anderson had an 8.18 ERA before he landed on the DL. It’s no secret that the Cubs are off to a disappointing start. Their starting rotation has been a big part of the problem.
Cincinnati Reds: Starting Pitching
The fact that the Reds have the same record as the Cubs through 38 games is more of a testament to Chicago’s disappointment than anything else. Who figured those two NL Central teams would have the same record this late?
Like the Cubs, Cincinnati’s starting pitching has also been an issue. Injuries to Homer Bailey and Anthony DeSclafani hurt. Then Brandon Finnegan went down in mid-April and the Reds were in serious trouble. Cincinnati’s starting rotation has posted an MLB-worst 5.21 ERA on the year. The Reds are committed to giving their young guns the opportunity to get an extensive look at the major league level. That means things could get worse before they get better for Cincinnati’s starting rotation following a terrible start to the 2017 season.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Right Field
Starling Marte’s suspension forced the Pirates to move Andrew McCutchen to center field. Pittsburgh is now using a platoon in right field that includes former catcher John Jaso and prospect Jose Osuna. The Pirates have also moved Gregory Polanco around between left and right field but the problem is that the side opposite wherever he has lined up has been a major issue. Jaso has hit just .147 on the season while Osuna has hit .226. Pittsburgh clearly has a number of weaknesses that need to be addressed. Right field has been their weakest link since Marte’s suspension left a major void in their outfield.
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