2015 MLB preview: National League Central
St. Louis Cardinals
2014 record: 90-72, first place, lost to San Francisco in N.L. Championship Series
Manager: Mike Matheny (fourth season)
Hot Spots: Starting rotation. RHP Carlos Martinez (2-4, 4.03 ERA in 7 starts) gets his first shot at a full-time spot in the rotation as the fifth starter. RHP Michael Wacha (5-6, 3.20 in 19 starts) appears to be back at full strength after missing most of the second half last season with a stress reaction in his shoulder.
Outlook: The Cardinals have been to the NLCS four straight seasons, including a World Series title in 2011, and there’s no reason they can’t make another deep run. RF Jason Heyward (,271, 11 HRs, 58 RBIs , 20 SBs with Braves) is the big offseason pickup, filling a void after the shocking death of promising young outfielder Oscar Taveras last fall. The hard-throwing RHP Jordan Walden (0-2, 2.88, 62 Ks with Braves) replaces Pat Neshek, among the top setup men in the majors last year. There’s more speed, too, with Heyward and 2B Kolten Wong (.249, 12, 41, 20 SBs) leading the way.
Pittsburgh Pirates
2014 record: 88-74, second place, lost to San Francisco in wild-card game
Manager: Clint Hurdle (fifth season)
Hot Spots: First base and catcher. The Pirates went all-in on moving Pedro Alvarez (.231, 18, 56) from third base to first in the offseason hoping the slugger can rediscover the bat that tied for the N.L. lead with 36 homers in 2013. Pittsburgh acquired C Francisco Cervelli (.301, 2, 13 with Yankees) to replace Russell Martin, who signed with Toronto. Cervelli is a better-than-average defensive backstop when healthy, and he’s shown power during the spring.
Outlook: The Pirates were responsibly aggressive over the winter, re-signing LHP Francisco Liriano (7-10, 3.38) to the most expensive free-agent contract in club history and luring back RHP A.J. Burnett (8-18, 4.59 with Phillies) for a second stint with the team. The loss of Martin will be felt, but perennial MVP candidate CF Andrew McCutchen (.314, 25, 83) is in the middle of his prime and with LF Starling Marte (.291, 13, 56, 30 SBs) and RF Gregory Polanco (.235, 7, 33) the Pirates may have the best outfield in baseball provided Polanco takes a reasonable step forward following a spotty rookie year. Pittsburgh proved last season its breakthrough 2013 was no fluke. Now it’s time to take the next step forward in what could be a very crowded NL Central.
Milwaukee Brewers
2014 record: 82-80, third place
Manager: Ron Roenicke (fifth season)
Hot Spots: Offense. RF Ryan Braun (.266, 19, 81) hopes an offseason procedure finally fixed a meddlesome nerve problem near his right thumb. Getting him back fully healthy would be huge for a lineup that slumped badly down the stretch in 2014. The Brewers also hope C Jonathan Lucroy (.301, 13, 69, 53 2Bs) doesn’t feel the after-effects of a hamstring injury that limited the All-Star catcher for the start of spring training.
Outlook: The Brewers addressed the collapse of 2014 with tweaks instead of a makeover. Still, reaching the postseason will remain tough in the competitive Central. A healthy Braun would help, as would a bounce-back campaign from speedy SS Jean Segura (.246, 5, 31, 20 SBs). The Brewers don’t have a true ace, though RHP Kyle Lohse (13-9, 3.54) and RHP Matt Garza (8-8, 3.64) provide solid veteran experience.
Cincinnati Reds
2014 record: 76-86, fourth place
Manager: Bryan Price (second season)
Hot Spots: Starting rotation. The Reds traded RHP Mat Latos and RHP Alfredo Simon, opening two spots. RHP Homer Bailey won’t be ready for the start of the season. That leaves two unproven young starters (RHP Anthony DeSclafani and RH Raisel Iglesias) and RHP Jason Marquis, who didn’t pitch in the majors last season, to hold things together. Also, RHP Johnny Cueto (20-9, 2.25) is in the final year of his contract.
Outlook: An offense that struggled to score runs should be boosted by the addition of LF Marlon Byrd (.264, 25, 85 with Phillies) and the return of 1B Joey Votto (.255, 6, 23), who didn’t play after July 5 because of strained muscles above his left knee. The bullpen was a mess, especially in the second half of the season, when it went 1-17. Still, it comes down to the rotation. It needs to hold together in order for the Reds to hang in there in one of the majors’ toughest divisions.
Chicago Cubs
2014 record: 73-89, last place
Manager: Joe Maddon (first season)
Hot Spots: Second base. With Javier Baez optioned to Triple-A Iowa after his strikeout issues continued in spring training, the door opened for Tommy La Stella (.251, 1, 31 with Atlanta) and Arismendy Alcantara (.205, 10, 29) to compete for time at second. . The Cubs are hoping Baez can overcome strikeout issues and grab the starting job eventually, but Alcantara and La Stella will get most of the time at second in the meantime.
Outlook: After five consecutive losing seasons, the Cubs think they are ready to contend for the Central title. Maddon takes over in the dugout after a successful run with Tampa Bay, and LHP Jon Lester (16-11, 2.46 with Boston and Oakland) brings a playoff pedigree. There is no question the roster is much improved compared to last year, but going from last place in the division to the postseason likely depends on the development of Chicago’s highly regarded stable of prospects, namely RF Jorge Soler (.292, 5, 20 in 24 games) and power-hitting 3B Kris Bryant, who will begin the season in Triple-A.