Opening Day is just around the corner and the rosters are pretty
well set so here is my prediction for the NL Central.

1. St. Louis 92-70
2. Cincy 87-75
3. Milwaukee 85-77
4. Chicago 79-83
5. Houston 75-87
6. Pittsburgh 70-92

I get squeamish when the Cards are favored to win the division.
I'd rather they were underdogs with a chip on their shoulder but
with the Fab Four (Pujols, Holliday, Carpenter, Wainwright) you
got to pick the Cards to win.

Cincy is my surprise pick. Walt Jockety has built a nice ballclub
there. I love good defense up the middle and the Reds have Gold
Glovers at second and short (Phillips, Cabrera), not to mention
another Gold Glover at third (Rolen). The Reds are my pick for
the NL Wild Card and a scary presence looming in the rear view
mirror if the Cards can't stay healthy.

Milwaukee has added some pitching to go along with a potent offense
but their bullpen sucks.

Chicago will find a way to lose.

Houston has Oswalt and little else.

Pittsburgh is, well ... Pittsburgh.

As for the rest of the Major League I'm gonna follow the money and
pick the Mets in the East and the Dodgers in the West.

--
Ken Fortenberry