NL Central Predictions in 2008

The Cardinals are the "favorite," if there is one heading into 2008. They are very solid with their pitching. Adding Mark Mulder gives them a #1 when the season heads towards the finish line. Chris Carpenter, Jeff Suppan, Matt Morris and Jason Marquis are all solid arms capable of winning 15+ games when they are having a good season. David Eckstein is a gamer and a perfect addition to sluggers Pujols, Edmunds and Rolen in the lineup for 2008.

The Cubs have optimism heading into every season (what is this, the NFL?), but are frequently derailed early with pitching injuries. Prior and Wood, once again, have a sore arm entering the season, which gives little confidence that they can return to their former (and brief) glory on the mound for the entire year. Zambrano and Maddux are good arms at #3 and #4 in the rotation, but will likely be #1 and #2 and some point. Joe Borowski begins the year on the DL, which will be a significant ding to the usually dependable bullpen.

Houston boasts a nice rotation in 2008 with Clemens and Pettite set to return to the mound. Roy Oswalt has electric stuff and is coming off of a 2007 season where he led the league with 20 wins. Houston is far removed from the days of outscoring everyone with Bagwell, Biggio and Berkman in their respective primes. Now, they rely on smart pitching and defense, even in their hitter's park in Houston.

The Brewers, like in 2007, will be a wild card team in 2008, wreaking havoc in the division. Prince Fielder will be joined by fellow masher Carlos Lee in the lineup, while the young pitching will only get better. Ben Sheets and Doug Davis both have ace-type stuff at the front of the rotation, but haven't put it all together yet to become household names - 2008 maybe the year for them.

The Reds figure to be the least competitive team in 2008, but that means they could be less than 10 games out of 1st at the end of the year with how close the Central typically is. Brandon Phillips is a young talent that joins veterans Ryan Dunn and Ken Griffey, Jr. in a less-than-stellar line-up. Starter Aaron Harang and closer Francisco Cordero are the lone highlights on the pitching staff.