The St. Louis Cardinals have had a stranglehold over the National League Central in recent years. They’ve won the division title for three consecutive seasons, overcoming pressure from the Pittsburgh Pirates each time. However, they figure to face a formidable new challenger as the 2016 World Series favorite Chicago Cubs are also coming for the Cards’ division crown.
Find out all you need to know about the possible three-horse race in the NL Central this season. Meanwhile, check out our previews of the other five MLB divisions: NL East | NL West | AL East | AL Central | AL West
MLB World Series News and Previews
- Cleveland Indians vs. Minnesota Twins Preview –August 17, 2017
- Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays – August 17, 2017
- Chicago White Sox vs. Texas Rangers Betting Preview – August 17, 2017
2016 National League Central Preview
Chicago Cubs
Key additions: OF Jason Heyward, 2B Ben Zobrist, SP John Lackey
Key departures: SS Starlin Castro, OF Austin Jackson
Outlook: On paper, the Cubs look like ferocious grizzly bears ready to wreak havoc on the entire division. They have the power (Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber), the top-end pitching (Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester), and the additional resources to make moves. With new signings Heyward and Zobrist, they also greatly improved their defense.
They took a big step last season as they made it all the way to the NLCS, but 2016 is shaping up to be their year. Not only are they overwhelming -175 favorites to win the Central – the biggest favorites out of the six divisions – they’re also the +500 favorites to win that elusive World Series.
It remains to be seen whether the pressure and expectations will take their toll on the team, but as currently constituted, the Cubs are undoubtedly the team to beat in the Central.
St. Louis Cardinals
2015 record: 100-62
Key additions: SP Mike Leake, IF Jedd Gyorko, RP Seung-Hwan Oh
Key departures: OF Jason Heyward, SP John Lackey, OF Jon Jay
Outlook: Sure, they lost a couple of key pieces to their biggest division rivals, but count the St. Louis Cardinals out at your own risk. Despite missing ace Adam Wainright for virtually the entire season, as well as sluggers Matt Adams and Matt Holliday for long stretches, they still managed to win 100 games last year. Their rotation and lineup should be better with those three finally healthy.
The three-time defending Central champs are priced at +275 to make it four in a row. But if you don’t think they have the horses to overpower the Cubs, you can still bet their over/under of 86.5 regular season wins. They’ve recorded 88 or more wins for five-straight years.
Create a betting account now and cash in on some futures bets for the upcoming MLB season.
Pittsburgh Pirates
2015 record: 98-64
Key additions: SP Jon Niese, SP Ryan Vogelsong, RP Neftali Perez, RP Juan Nicasio
Key departures: 2B Neil Walker, SP AJ Burnett, RP Antonio Bastardo, RP Joakim Soria, 1B/3B Pedro Alvarez, 3B Aramis Ramirez, SP Charlie Morton
Outlook: The Pirates have finished second in the division each of the past three years, but they have just the third-best odds at +375 to finally get that first division crown since 1992. Apart from the Cubs’ emergence, the Buccos also have the added obstacle of rebuilding the bottom half of their rotation after losing A.J. Burnett and Charlie Morton in the offseason.
Young ace Gerrit Cole and Francisco Liriano still anchor that rotation, though, and top pitching prospect Tyler Glasnow is hopefully coming soon. Meanwhile, former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen will lead their lineup. The continued growth of youngsters Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco should also help make up for the loss of a couple veteran bats in Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez.
Cincinnati Reds
2015 record: 64-98
Key additions: IF Jose Peraza, OF Scott Schebler
Key departures: RP Aroldis Chapman, 3B Todd Frazier, OF/IF Skip Schumaker, C Brayan Pena
Outlook: The Reds’ fire sale is almost complete. Starting pitchers Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake went during last season, while Aroldis Chapman and Todd Frasier were also dealt in the offseason. Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips will continue to be shopped, but they will struggle to get out of Joey Votto’s millstone of a contract so easily.
Their zeal in dealing key pieces, coupled by their lack of activity during free agency suggests that they’re going all-in on bottoming out. The Reds fell short of 70.0 wins when they still had their stars for parts of last season, and they will struggle even more to go over that number this year now that they’ve completely blown things up.
Milwaukee Brewers
2015 record: 68-94
New additions: 1B Chris Carter, 3B Will Middlebrooks, IF Aaron Hill, OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis, IF Jonathan Villar
Key departures: RP Francisco Rodriguez, 1B Adam Lind, SS Jean Segura, OF Logan Schafer
Outlook: Much like the Reds, the Brewers are also in full rebuilding mode. It started with Rodriguez and Lind, with former MVP Ryan Bruan and Jonathan Lucroy very likely to follow later this year.
As their +5,000 odds indicate, they have no shot at the division. However, they might just have a shot at surpassing their over/under regular season wins, which is set at 70.0. They picked up some semi-competent veterans who will likely be auditioning for jobs elsewhere, and their pitching staff (particularly the bullpen) shouldn’t be a complete train wreck.
Writer’s Prediction
The Cubs (-175) take the Central, with the Cardinals and Pirates coming second and third, respectively. The Brewers finish fourth, while the Reds bring up the rear.
