National League Best Team – Chicago Cubs
Despite their embarrassing first-round exit in the 2008 NLDS, the Cubs are still, on paper at least, the best team in the National League. With the pace of one of the most balanced lineups, the Cubs should once again take the Central Division by storm. With Derek Lee, Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, the resurgent Kosuke Fukudome and the addition of RF Milton Bradley, the Cubs’ lineup is stronger than ever.
Add in their balanced lineup with a talented pitching staff that includes starters Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden and Ryan Dempster, combined with a strong, young bullpen, and the Chicago Cubs should be on top of the NL when it all clears up. . All they have to do is find a way to stay healthy, which could be a difficult task. After all, this is the Chicago Cubs.
Worst National League Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
Frankly, this rig stinks like a rotten banana peel left in a hot car for weeks. Led by opening day starter Paul Maholm, look for the Pirates to finish bottom of their division again. His strategy of developing young talent like Jason Bey and then trading them when they get good enough to make decent money doesn’t seem to help his desire to win a lot of games. That is, if that’s really your desire in the first place.
Team with the Most Recovery – St. Louis Cardinals
Despite not having his pitching ace, Chris Carpenter found a way to win 86 games last season. If Carpenter and the rest of his pitching staff can somehow find a way to stay healthy and RHP Adam Wainwright can get used to the 200+ innings that typically comes with being a starting pitcher in MLB, the Cardinals could be a contender. very dangerous. in the Central Division. If you add 1B Albert Pujols and emerging SS Khalil Greene to the mix, the Cardinals could give the Cubs a run for their money this season.
Team to Watch: Cincinnati Reds
Step out of local hero Ken Griffey Jr. and into a very good, young core. With the speed of CF Willy Taveras (68 stolen bases in 2008) at the top of their lineup and the expected improvement of young stars Joey Votto and Jay Bruce, the Reds could pack a lot of punches on the other teams in the Central Division. Plus, if Aaron Harang can find a way to recapture his form from 2006 and 2007, where he won 16 games, Bronson Arroyo and Edinson Volquez could have a much-needed third member of their pitching rotation, with commanding skill. The Reds may not be contending for a division, but they will certainly be eye-openers in 2009.
Top 5 young players to watch:
Yovani Gallardo, RHP – Milwaukee Bewers
The top pitching prospect in the Brewers organization, Gallardo has the talent to be dominant in the National League. With a dominant fastball and what is considered the best curveball in all of baseball, he expects him to gain a lot of attention in 2009. Gallardo will start 2009 in the minors, but he won’t be there for long.
Khalil Greene, SS – St. Louis Cardinals
Already considered a solid defensive player, Greene appears poised for a big season as a hitter. Greene, who struck out 100 times in 389 at-bats last year, struck out just three times in his first 60 at-bats during spring training and hit .417.
Homer Bailey, RHP – Cincinnati Reds
The top prospect in a very well-formed farm system for the Reds, this could be Bailey’s year. After a terrible time adjusting to the talent and rigors of MLB, Bailey should be able to transition from minor league prospect to major league success in 2009. Bailey had an excellent spring training posting a 2.61 ERA in six spring appearances, giving up six runs and 18 hits in 20 2/3 innings. He walked four and struck out 20.
Jeff Samardzija, right right – Chicago Cubs
With an oft-injured starting body, the former Notre Dame star may have a chance to shine in 2009. With a dominating fastball and changeup that can fool even the best hitters, look to Samardzija to emerge as one of the Cubs. brighter. young stars.
Jhoulys Chacin, RHP – Colorado Rockies
Given the award for Best Minor Pitcher in 2008, Chacín has the promise of being a great pitcher. Chacin has mastered his fastball and changeup and is fully capable of throwing any pitch in any situation. His fastball has been clocked at 94 mph, with a strong sinking action. He uses the same arm action for his changeup as he does for his fastball, making those two pitches a very unpleasant combination.
Best Manager: Tony La Russa, St. Louis Cardinals
While La Russa may seem a bit odd with his insistence on changing the pitcher’s spot in the lineup, there’s no mistaking La Russa’s experience and expertise. With a much healthier Cardinals team heading into 2009, La Russa could lead the Cardinals to an unexpected playoff spot.
Manager On The Molten Lava – Hot Seat: Jerry Manuel – NY Mets
After shoring up their bullpen and opening that shiny new stadium, the Mets enter 2009 with high expectations after a mountain of disappointments in 2007 and 2008. This season, there are simply no more excuses the Mets can offer that will be acceptable to their teams. fans, who are already feeling the pinch of buying overpriced tickets in the midst of a recession. Anything short of a 5-0 start will have Mets fans asking for Manuel’s head and anything short of a World Series will have them asking for his job. For Jerry Manuel’s sake, they better win now.
April 6, 2009
