Hey folks, Adam here, and tonight I’m joined with my buddy Dan for a little NL Central talk. Here we go!

Team That Could Fall The Furthest

Dan goes with the Brewers, and I agree. A lot of things went they’re way last year, and that bubble burst last year. They could cave and fall to 3rd or so. Dan goes on to say “they have great young players but they are young and they fell apart at the end last season.” Plus, Ben Sheets is at least a 70% shot to get hurt, and that could be optimistic by about 25 points.

Team That Could Climb The Highest

It’s the Reds, but that may not mean much. The Central is extremely weak–aside from the Cubs no one else is good–but that also leads to random-fluke years. It’s possible Jay Bruce goes hog wild–if Dusty plays him. It’s possible Joey Votto hits .310–if Dusty plays him. Adam Dunn could hit 50 bombs–if Dusty leaves him alone and lets him hit. I’ve got concerns that Baker could kill this team, because he has a history of succeeding with talented ballclubs. This Reds team has no superstar–Dunn’s defense prohibits that, while those Giants clubs had Barry Bonds, and the Cubbies of a few years ago had a blossoming Mark Prior. This Reds team has neither. It has an OBP machine in Dunn, along with some decent parts, a few of which could improve in 2008. The pitching could be an issue, though, because ace Aaron Harang has been worked hard the past few years, and Baker isn’t known for his delicate touch with arms. Plus, Homer Bailey didn’t impress last year, and while I’d wholeheartedly give a shot to succeed, I’d know deep in my loins that he’s not gonna make it. Bronson Arroyo is a good #2 guy, but he’s another good breakdown candidate.

Dan also goes with Cincy, for the sole reason that no one else is any good. “I don’t think the Brewers are that good”, and I agree with him. They aren’t.

Best Rotation

Cubbies win their first category. Carlos Zambrano is a big, powerful ace, albeit with some command issues. Eventually, those walks will begin to hurt the big guy, but that shouldn’t happen in 2008. The rest of the rotation is strong–Rich Hill and Ted Lilly are good LAIM types, and while Jason Marquis isn’t much, maybe Jon Lieber could be. That isn’t a terribly strong rotation, but it’s good and top heavy, and that should be enough in the Central.

Dan agrees, and we both agree that this division sucks.

Best Lineup

The Cubbies are the best team in this division, man. Best rotation, and easily–even more easily–the best lineup. Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Kosuke Fukudome are all pretty good power guys, with the import possibly becoming quite the OBP machine.

Dan says “Yes he should…and then Lee and Ramirez with the power and Soriano can do everything”. I’m not the biggest fan of Soriano, but he can produce.

Order of Finish

Dan’s Order

  1. Cubs. First because they have a great line-up, good enough rotation and a pretty decent bullpen.
  2. Brewers. They have young guns in the line up and in the pitching staff.
  3. Reds. Decent lineup, decent rotation, decent bullpen.
  4. Astros. Roy Oswalt, Hunter Pence, and Miguel Tejada. Sorry, boys.
  5. Cardinals. Enjoy Colby Rasmus.
  6. Pirates. Duh.

Adam’s Order

The exact same for me, but the race for the 4 hole could be interesting!

Adam Adkins is a Staff Writer for SportingGurus.com. He can be reached here.