Monday, April 01, 2002
NL Central Preview
Cardinals finally have right combination
By Bob Matthews
Gannett News Service
1. CARDINALS
Manager: Tony La Russa
Last season: 93-69; lost 3-2 to Arizona in the NL Division Series.
Overview: The Cardinals are one of the few teams in the majors with a surplus of quality starting pitching and have plenty of run-scoring potential despite the loss of McGwire.
Key additions: 1B Tino Martinez, RHP Jason Isringhausen, OF So Taguchi, OF Al Martin.
Major losses: McGwire, RHP Dustin Hermanson, INF Craig Paquette, RHP Alan Benes, RHP T.J. Mathews.
Projected starting lineup: 2B Fernando Vina, LF Placido Polanco, RF J.D. Drew, 3B Albert Pujols, CF Jim Edmonds, 1B Martinez, SS Edgar Renteria, C Mike Matheny.
Strengths: Surplus of starting (assuming most of the arms are healthy) with Matt Morris, Darryl Kile, Woody Williams, Bud Smith, Andy Benes and Garrett Stephenson. ... Isringhausen an upgrade as closer. ... the heart of the lineup with Drew, Pujols, Edmonds and Martinez. ... defense up the middle with Gold Glovers Matheny, Vina and Edmonds.
Weaknesses/question marks: Left field. ... can LHP Rick Ankiel get healthy and find the strike zone?
Don't be surprised if: Drew has a huge season. ... Cardinals make the playoffs for the third straight season for the first time since 1942-43-44.
Reasonable goal: Reach the World Series for the first time since 1987.
Predicted finish: 94-68
2. ASTROS
Manager: Jimy Williams
Last season: 93-69; lost 3-0 to Atlanta in the NL Division Series.
Overview: The Astros bounced back from a 80-loss 2000 season to win their fourth division title in the past five years. They have some impressive young starting pitching, a dynamite 1-2 bullpen punch in Octavio Dotel and Billy Wagner, and plenty of offense with Daryle Ward ready to negate the departure of Moises Alou.
Key additions: C Gregg Zaun, RHP T.J. Mathews, LHP C.J. Nitkowski, 3B Geoff Blum.
Major losses: OF Alou, RHP Pedro Astacio, 3B Vinny Castilla, RHP Mike Williams, RHP Mike Jackson, 3B Chris Truby.
Projected starting lineup: 2B Craig Biggio, SS Adam Everett/Julio Lugo, 1B Jeff Bagwell, RF Lance Berkman, CH Richard Hidalgo, RF Daryle Ward, 3B Morgan Ensberg, C Brad Ausmus.
Strengths — Two aces (Wade Miller and Roy Oswalt) heading a strong starting rotation. ... Octavio Dotel and closer Billy Wagner in the bullpen. ... heart of the lineup with Bagwell, Berkman and Hidalgo. ... the team was getting stale and probably will benefit from the managing change from Larry Dierker to Williams.
Weaknesses/question marks: Young left side of the infield. ... can Ward and Ensberg offset the loss of Alou? ... can rookies Carlos Hernandez or Tim Redding be an effective No. 5 starter? ... Hidalgo's defense in CF.
Don't be surprised if: Bagwell is league MVP. ... The Astros finally win a playoff series (they're 0-7 with a 8-22 record).
Reasonable goal: Play in the World Series.
Predicted finish: 89-73
3. CUBS
Manager: Don Baylor
Last season: 88-74
Overview: A power pictching staff and the power of Sammy Sosa, Fred McGriff and Moises Alou are the big hopes to lead the Cubs to their first division title since 1989.
Key additions: OF Moises Alou, SS Alex Gonzalez, INF Chris Stynes, OF Darren Lewis, RHP Alan Benes, LHP Jesus Sanchez, RHP Pat Mahomes.
Major losses: SS Ricky Gutierrez, OF Michael Tucker, 2B Eric Young, RHP Kevin Tapani (retired), RHP Todd Van Poppel, OF Matt Stairs, INF Ron Coomer, LHP Felix Heredia.
Projected starting lineup: 2B Delino DeShields, 3B Stynes/Bill Mueller, RF Sammy Sosa, 1B Fred McGriff, LF Alou, C Todd Hundley/Joe Girardi, SS Alex Gonzalez, CF Corey Patterson.
Strengths: Starting pitchers Kerry Wood, Jon Lieber and Jason Bere. ... power of Sosa, McGriff and Alou.
Weaknesses/question marks: Can Jeff Fassero and Kyle Farnsworth replace injured closer Tom Gordon? ... bullpen depth. ... can Hundley and Mueller bounce back? ... how soon will Patterson, RHP Mark Prior and 2B Bobby Hill be big-league stars?
Don't be surprised if: The Cubs post consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1971-72.
Reasonable goal: Wild-card playoff berth.
Predicted finish: 83-79
4. REDS
Manager: Bob Boone
Last season: 66-96
Overview, scouting report: Reds section
Reasonable goal: Play .500 ball.
Predicted finish: 76-86.
5. BREWERS
Manager Davey Lopes
Last season: 68-94
Overview: The first season at Miller Park was a success at the gate but not on the field. The hitters set a major-league record for strikeouts (1,399) and the pitchers led the league in walks and ranked 12th in ERA.
Key additions: LHP Glendon Rusch, OF Alex Ochoa, 2B Eric Young, OF Matt Stairs, LHP Takaki Nomura. INF Lenny Harris, RHP Jose Cabrera, C Paul Bako.
Major losses: OF Jeromy Burnitz, RHP Jeff D'Amico, OF Devon White, C Henry Blanco, RHP Jimmy Haynes.
Projected starting lineup: 2B Young, 3B Ron Belliard/Tyler Houston/Mark Loretta, LF Geoff Jenkins, 1B Richie Sexson, CF Jeffey Hammonds, RF Ochoa/Stairs, 3B Tyler Houston/Mark Loretta, SS Jose Hernandez, C Raul Casanova.
Strengths: Potential of young starting pitchers Rusch, Jamey Wright, Ben Sheets, Ruben Quevedo and Nick Neugebauer. ... run producers Jenkins and Sexson.
Weaknesses/question marks: Inexperience of starting pitchers. ... suspect bullpen. ... can Hammonds stay healthy? ... too many free swingers. ... lack of team speed.
Don't be surprised if: No home-team players are in the NL starting lineup for the All-Star Game July 9 at Miller Park.
Reasonable goal: Get more hits than strikeouts and avoid last place.
Predicted finish: 70-92.
6. PIRATES
Manager: Lloyd McClendon
Last season: 62-100
Overview: The Pirates haven't had a winning season since Barry Bonds left in 1992 and the losing streak is certain to continue this season.
Key additions: 2B Pokey Reese, RHP Kip Wells, RHP Sean Lowe, RHP Pat Rapp, RHP Mike Williams.
Major losses: RHP Todd Ritchie, 2B Warren Morris, OF Gary Matthews Jr.
Projected starting lineup: CF Adrian Brown, 2B Pokey Reese, LF Brian Giles, 3B Aramis Ramirez, C Jason Kendall, 1B Kevin Young, RF Armando Rios/Derek Bell, SS Jack Wilson.
Strengths: Giles, Ramirez and Kendall are stars on a bad team. ... defense of DP duo Reese and Wilson.
Weaknesses/question marks: Brutal starting rotation. ... bullpen. ... can RHP Kris Benson return from elbow surgery? ... need more production from 1B, CF and RF. ... lack of prospects in high minors.
Don't be surprised if: Giles is traded during the season for a boatload of young talent.
Reasonable goal: Avoid 100 losses.
Predicted finish: 65-97
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Coming up this week
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