Each week leading up to the regular season, I will look at a different division and predict how each team will do. This week, I looked at the NL Central:

Michael Shames | Co-News Editor

NL Central

Pittsburgh Pirates (91-71) – Division Champion

Notable Additions: C Francisco Cervelli, RP Antonio Bastardo, IF Jung Ho Kang

Notable Subtractions: C Russell Martin, SP Edinson Volquez, 1B Ike Davis

The Pirates lost one of the best hitting catchers in the game in Martin, but they did their best to make up for it by acquring Cervelli. I still believe they have one of the most potent offenses in the NL. Their outfield consists of MVP one-year removed Andrew McCutchen, Staling Marte, and top prospect Gregory Polanco. Utility player Josh Harrison had an out-of-nowhere breakout campaign, and 3B Pedro Alvarez is hoping to return back to his normal power after a bad second half. That offense, combined with very solid starting pitching in Gerrit Cole, Francisco Liriano and Co. make the Buc’s the team to beat in the Central.

St. Louis Cardinals (87-75) – Wildcard

Notable Additions: OF Jason Heyward, RP Jordan Walden, 1B Mark Reynolds

Notable Subtractions: SP Shelby Miller, RP Pat Neshek,

This is a very nice team overall. Their pitching is lead by Adam Wainwright and a (hopefully) healthy Michael Wacha, both capable of putting up sub-3 ERA’s. They have a very diverse lineup with various lefties and righties, veteran and young stars, and power and contact hitters. Expect the Card’s to continue their winning ways and find a playoff spot.

Chicago Cubs (82-80)

Notable Additions: Manager Joe Maddon, SP Jon Lester, C Miguel Montero, SP Jason Hammel, OF Dexter Fowler, OF Chris Denorfia

Notable Subtractions: IF Luis Valbuena, OF Justin Ruggiano

The Cubs made their biggest free agent acquisition I can remember in signing Jon Lester. Lester will be the obvious leader in this rotation, with oscillating younger guys behind him. Their hitting should be very exciting this year, with the young bats of 1B Anthony Rizzo (who had a breakout 2014), IF Kris Bryant (top prospect in MLB), IF Javier Baez and others. Also, with the addition of well-respected manager Joe Maddon, I think this team will be one of the best Cubs teams in the decade, but still a step short of the playoffs. This team is still a year or two away from being a contender.

Milwaukee Brewers (80-82)

Notable Additions: 1B Adam Lind, RP Neal Cotts

Notable Subtractions: SP Yovani Gallardo, RP Francisco Rodriguez, 1B Mark Reynolds

This has been a very average franchise over the past decade, and this season doesn’t feel any different. They lost their longtime number one starter in Yovani Gallardo, as well as closer Francisco Rodriguez. They still have starters Willy Peralta, Kyle Lohse, and Matt Garza returning, and Jonathan Broxton filling in as closer, but they did not make any major improvements. They have two young, but high potential players in the outfield in Khris Davis and Carlos Gomez, and an established veteran in Ryan Braun. Catcher Jonathan Lucroy is off his best season as a professional and will hope to continue his success. However, do not expect this team to compete in this division.

Cincinnati Reds (76-86)

Notable Additions: OF Marlon Byrd, SP Paul Maholm, IF Eugenio Suarez

Notable Subtractions: SP Alfredo Simon, SP Mat Latos

Last year, the Reds finished 76-86, and unfortunately for them, they did not get much better. They lost two really good starters in Latos and Simon. While they still have Johnny Cueto, the rotation overall took a step back. Longtime Reds star second-baseman Brandon Phillips is entering the decline of his career following a relatively disappointing offensive season. But who knows? Maybe Phillips and outfielder Jay Bruce can have bounce-back years. Maybe Joey Votto can come off his season-ending injury and put together impressive power numbers again. The bad news for them is that there are a lot of maybe’s for a team playing in a consistently competitive NL Central.