For the rest of the week, four of our staff writers will go division by division to make our playoff predictions, while looking at a major storyline for each team.
Our four-man panel includes —
Travis Berardi — Pirates beat writer
Gar Bercury — Co-Pitt beat writer
Michael Waterloo — Co-Owner/Columnist
Matt Welch — D-2 coverage/The Times West Virginian.
Yesterday, we took a look at the National League East. Today, it’s the NL Central.
St. Louis Cardinals —
“Do the Cardinals once again have the best rotation in baseball?”
Berardi – Yes. They return three starters that had 15-plus wins last season, as well as 10-game winner, Joe Kelly and Michael Wacha, who Pirates fans saw first-hand in last years NLDS.
Bercury – If they are not, who is? Wainwright? Lynn? Wacha? Miller? Thats pretty disgusting, and when you consider Joe Kelly will be the fifth starter, its hard to think there is a better rotation in baseball. One point to ponder; these guys put in a lot of work last season, and Wainwright is starting to rack up some serious innings. Does that catch up with them?
Waterloo – Who made up these questions? Oh, yeah. Anyway, yeah, absolutely. Wainwright is an ace in every sense. Miller doesn’t get the hype that Wacha gets, but he’s even better. Lynn and Kelly are all you can ask for as your No. 4 and No. 5 pitchers.
Welch – Having Garcia back would solidify that but with young guys getting better and better, you have to lean that way.
Cincinnati Reds —
“Will Billy Hamilton of the Reds live up to the hype?”
Berardi – Yes and no. Yes, he will steal 40-plus bases this year. No, he will not have the avg. and OBP to make him a big threat.
Bercury – When discussing potential impact performers in 2014, Hamilton is one of the more polarizing players in the game. Everyone knows about his incredible speed, and everyone agrees that no player has the potential to steal bases like Hamilton does. The question becomes, can he get on base enough to get the job done as an everyday player? Shin-Soo Choo quietly did a tremendous job as a lead off hitter for the Reds, so Hamilton has big shoes to fill.
Waterloo – As far as speed goes, yes. But will he be more Vince Coleman or Dee Gordon? I say Coleman. He hit last year while he was up, and even though spring stats mean zilch to me, he’s hitting again this year. I think he’ll be just fine.
Welch – I say yes, though it make take half a season to get there.
Chicago Cubs –
“When should the Cubs call up Baez and Bryant?”
Berardi – The Cubs should make the call once they know they are out of contention, which could be early. Why not give the guys experience at the ML level?
Bercury – Simple, whenever Theo Epstein believes they are ready. The Cubs have money to spend, so the notion that they are going to be worried about arbitration years is probably overblown. The Cubs are not ready to contend, so you probably will see both players sooner than later, and continue building from the ground up.
Waterloo – Baez has the prettiest swing that I’ve seen in years. Yes, it’s that good. Squares the ball up perfectly. Bryant is a future star at third with monster power. The Cubs are a couple of years away yet. Wait until the middle of June and call them up.
Welch – Now. What do they have to lose?
Milwaukee Brewers –
“Will Ryan Braun regain his status as an “elite” player post-Bio Genesis?”
Berardi – Ask me again after the season. He will have to prove that he is “elite” for me to give him credit.
Bercury – One of the biggest questions in MLB. Braun is certainly not the most likable guy in the game, but he’s a great hitter. The question becomes will Braun have some support in the lineup? Its not getting any younger, and though Mark Reynolds might help a little, will Braun have much protection? He’s still going to be productive. Elite? Very much up in the air to me.
Waterloo – Do you really think the numbers Braun put up the past seven years were all because of “the juice?” His steals will go down, but besides that, if healthy, Braun will show that he’s still an elite player.
Welch – No. He’s entrenched in America as a liar.
Pittsburgh Pirates –
“Will the Pirates be able to make it to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons?”
Berardi – Yes, but only if Jameson Taillon’s arm soreness isn’t serious. The Pirates have the pieces to keep with the front-runners until Gregory Polanco and Taillon get called-up in June.
Bercury – With Ervin Santana and even Johan Santana available once Burnett was let go for nothing, the Pirates instead signed Edinson Volquez, who has been alarmingly bad, which is saying something based on Volquez’s play in recent years. They can repeat, but its going to mean they have to stay healthy and hope Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and Pedro Alvarez have monster years.
Waterloo – Can they? Sure. Will they? That’s the question. They have the pieces in place to make the run, but for me, there’s too much uncertainty with Volquez and Francisco Liriano. They’ll be good. But they won’t be playoffs good.
Welch – McCutchen and Marte are only going to get better. They seem to have the pieces in place.
Playoff Teams –
Berardi – Braves. “The Cardinals are just too deep for anyone else to have a chance. They take the Central by six games.” Pirates as Wild Card.
Bercury – Nationals. “The Cardinals are the class of the division.” Pirates as Wild Card.
Waterloo – “It’s the Nationals, without a doubt. Not a Fister fan, but the staff and offense is way too good. The Braves will grab a Wild Card spot. I’ll take the Cardinals to win the division.”
Welch – Braves. Cardinals take the division. Pirates as a Wild Card.
