Division leaders???

Question

Who do you think will win the National league Central Division???

Answer 1

I realize it has been a long, dreary, and painful span of a quarter-century for Brewers fans, but do they really need this much daily affirmation?

Enjoy it. October arrives at its own speed.

Answer 2

I think if none of the teams made any improvements for the rest of the season and stay as they are now, the Brewers will cruise to the playoffs. That isnt so much a reflection on the Brewers as it is on the rest of the division, which is pretty poor. Put the Brewers in pretty much any other division in baseball, and they'd be in 2nd, 3rd or 4th place.

That being said, the Cubs are a good team and could win the division if they improve their bullpen. The bullpen has blown enough games to push the Cubs into first place. They've got a good rotation with Zambrano, Marquis, Hill, and Lilly, while Shawn Marshall is thought to have ace-quality stuff. Their lineup is fair, though it focuses too heavily on Lee, Soriano and Ramirez. Really, if the Cubs improve their bullpen, the Brewers are in big trouble.

The Brewers have a good rotation. Both Sheets and Capuano have Cy Young stuff, though both are having mediocre seasons. Suppan is a decent third starter, but he's little more than a .500 pitcher. After that, though, the rotation falls off. Vargas is averaging less than five innings a start and its a miracle he's 3-1. Dave Bush is simply terrible. The Brewers have a good lineup, but they've been propelled by J.J. Hardy who so far is having a monster year. It remains to be seen if Hardy, who was a poor hitter in the Minors, really did turn it around or if he's just on a tear. If he cools off, and hits what he's expected to, the Brewers are in trouble. Fielder is fine and if Weeks keeps getting on, Fielder will knock in runs. The Brewers also need Hall to start hitting. Their rookie third baseman Braun is supposed to have potential, but potential rarely correlates to actual success. The Brewers bullpen is okay. They have a top closer, and Derek Turnbow is a decent set up man, but when Turnbow goes bad, he goes very bad. The rest of the bullpen is unimpressive.

Otherwise, there's little else. The Cardinals need pitching, both starting and relief. The Astros need, as usual, bats. Although Carlos Lee is having an MVP caliber season, Berkman is struggling, Biggio is struggling, and the Astros have no one else. The Reds need another big bat and some bullpen help, as well as a solid fifth starter. They cant rely on Griffey and Dunn to provide all their offense. Outside of the Cubs and the Brewers, the Pirates have the best shot at winning the division. They've got a good rotation. Zack Duke is pitching poorly, but he's got great stuff. Tom Gorzelanny is a solid young pitcher. Ian Snell is an ace. Their bullpen could use some improvement, and they could use another bat. But their lineup works pretty well.

Unless the other teams in the division improve on their weak spots, the Brewers will cruise. But Milwaukee is very lucky they were moved to the NL Central. If they were in the AL Central, they'd be in big trouble.

Answer 3

You have to think the Brewers will win it. Even though they have stumbled as of late, no one in the division is playing like they even want to catch them. The Cardinals and Cubs have the best shot of coming back because they have great hitting, but if Hardy and Fielder stay hot the Brewers wont be caught

Answer 4

Cinncinai and Pittsburgh are the only teams that cant win it. Its a weak division that will only send 1 playoff team. Good luck.

Answer 5

I think the Cubs have the talent to come back, but probably not the luck. The Brewers will win it.

Answer 6

Milwaukee.

Answer 7

the obvious choice would be milwaukee just because they are leading right now, but i'm from houston and i think they will right the ship in due time.