The Chicago Cubs are one of the most overrated teams in baseball and you could say the same thing for their manager, Lou Piniella. The front office did everything they could to buy the best team in the National League, and that did not happen. The only thing that happened is the Cubs having a bad clubhouse which resulted in bad baseball.

 

The Cubs trimmed some of the fat from the bad clubhouse, but it won't matter. They just don't have enough to beat the other contenders in the National League Central. They will have an 83-win team, at best. Look for ole' Lou to exit, stage left.

 

The Milwaukee Brewers have a pretty good team. Their line-up has some potential and they have players who have been to post-season play before. There have been rumors of Prince Fielder being on the move. If they do, it would be the Brewers giving up on the season, and maybe the immediate future. Ryan Braun is a tremendous player, but Fielder is the leader. That team goes as he goes.

 

The Pittsburgh Pirates may not be worth talking about. After losing 99-games last year, it's difficult to find the light at the end of the tunnel. Garrett Jones, Pedro Alverez and Andrew McCutchen could provide a reason to be optimistic for Bucks fans. Then again, the Pirates could trade them by season's end.

 

The Cincinnati Reds are the division's wild card. They have pitching, and that's always a force in the major's. Edinson Volquez will not be ready at the beginning of the season, but they will have Brunson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto and Aaron Harang. The Reds also acquired Aroldis Chapman from Cuba. He probably won't appear on the opening day roster, but look for him to debut in 2010. Their pitching could keep the Reds' season alive.

 

Carlos Lee had a decent season in 2009, but it wasn't good enough. Lance Berkman isn't nearly as good as he use to be, but Michael Bourn is better than advertised and Hunter Pence is solid. That's the best way to sum-up the Houston Astros. They are just unpredictable in too many ways.

 

The biggest problem with the Astros was their bullpen. For example, Roy Oswalt had 30 starts, a 4.12 earn run average in 181 innings, yet he only had 14 decisions (8-6). Wandy Rodriquez had a 3.02 era and 23 quality starts, but still managed to have 12 losses. They will have to get better production from pitchers in innings six through eight for them to contend. Don't expect them to do that.

 

The St. Louis Cardinals are still the class of the National League Central. Albert Pujols will lead that team, again to the post-season with a full season from Matt Holliday, this team could run away with the division title. The only thing that could derail them is the distraction caused by the return of Mark McGwire, but that won't happen. Pujols is too strong for that.

 

On the bump, Adam Wainwright is coming off of a 19-win season and at 28-years old, looks like he's just really coming into his own. Chris Carpenter is, well Chris Carpenter and you can look for him improve on his 17-wins after missing some time last season. The Cardinals will not get eliminated in the first-round. Look for them to push the Phillies for the National League Championship.

 

Rob Long