by Scott Rickenbach
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2022NL Central Division Preview for MLB 2022
Chicago Cubs – This team will struggle to get to .500 this season and is more likely to finish in the low to mid 70s for a win total. Chicago’s starting pitching allows too much contact and that can be a problem when half your games are at Wrigley Field which can certainly be very hitter-friendly at times. This team still has a chance to be competitive but lineup will be the key to the success of this team so watch for streaks with Chicago’s hitters.
Cincinnati Reds – This team will struggle to get to .500 this season and is more likely to finish in the low to mid 70s for a win total. I know they had a winning record last season but some off-season attrition hurt this team and this club already had some clubhouse issues. Things are just a little disjointed in Cincinnati and this is a team I will be looking to fade more often than not.
Milwaukee Brewers – This team should compete with the Cardinals for the top spot in the division. The key will be Christian Yelich though. This guy has to bounce back or the Brewers will struggle to get to their full potential. They have such solid pitching but need to get the sticks going to get to the next level.
Pittsburgh Pirates – This could be the worst team in baseball this season and is likely to, at the very least, be the worst team in the National League. Pittsburgh has potential to again lose 100 games like they did last season. They have a decent lineup but only a few solid arms on the pitching staff and therein lies the problem with this team. They are pitching-thin and it catches up with this team as the season goes on.
St Louis Cardinals – This team should challenge the Brewers for the top spot in the division. The Cardinals are such a solid organization. They don’t wow you with a lot of flash but just seemingly every season this team is right there when the dust settles. Once again, St Louis has a shot to challenge for the division title this season. Solid pitching, respectable lineup, and a swan song season for long-time Cardinal Albert Pujols as he re-signed with the team. It all adds up to what could be a magical season for St Louis and I do believe this team could prove to be a “play on” team quite often this year.
Chicago Cubs – This team will struggle to get to .500 this season and is more likely to finish in the low to mid 70s for a win total. Chicago’s starting pitching allows too much contact and that can be a problem when half your games are at Wrigley Field which can certainly be very hitter-friendly at times. This team still has a chance to be competitive but lineup will be the key to the success of this team so watch for streaks with Chicago’s hitters.
Cincinnati Reds – This team will struggle to get to .500 this season and is more likely to finish in the low to mid 70s for a win total. I know they had a winning record last season but some off-season attrition hurt this team and this club already had some clubhouse issues. Things are just a little disjointed in Cincinnati and this is a team I will be looking to fade more often than not.
Milwaukee Brewers – This team should compete with the Cardinals for the top spot in the division. The key will be Christian Yelich though. This guy has to bounce back or the Brewers will struggle to get to their full potential. They have such solid pitching but need to get the sticks going to get to the next level.
Pittsburgh Pirates – This could be the worst team in baseball this season and is likely to, at the very least, be the worst team in the National League. Pittsburgh has potential to again lose 100 games like they did last season. They have a decent lineup but only a few solid arms on the pitching staff and therein lies the problem with this team. They are pitching-thin and it catches up with this team as the season goes on.
St Louis Cardinals – This team should challenge the Brewers for the top spot in the division. The Cardinals are such a solid organization. They don’t wow you with a lot of flash but just seemingly every season this team is right there when the dust settles. Once again, St Louis has a shot to challenge for the division title this season. Solid pitching, respectable lineup, and a swan song season for long-time Cardinal Albert Pujols as he re-signed with the team. It all adds up to what could be a magical season for St Louis and I do believe this team could prove to be a “play on” team quite often this year.
