MLB: Very Early 2017 Playoff Predictions
By Jason Reed
NL Central
1) Chicago Cubs
2) St. Louis Cardinals (WC #2)
3) Milwaukee Brewers
4) Pittsburgh Pirates
5) Cincinnati Reds
The Chicago Cubs shall find no difficulty in being baseball’s best team yet again. From their bats, to their pitching, the Cubs are the most well-rounded team in baseball. The two biggest potential losses, Dexter Fowler and Aroldis Chapman, may not even be that bad. First, the Cubs were doing just fine before Chapman’s arrival in July. As for Fowler, the Cubs have a returning Kyle Schwarber to add to the mix. Sure, they are a little thin and will need to sign another outfielder, a fifth starter, and bullpen arms, but with the talent already implemented, it will be extremely unlikely to see Chicago struggle.
The Cardinals will likely return to the postseason in 2017. With pitching prospects Alex Reyes and Luke Weaver, their pitching depth will only improve. Also, the Cardinals are already making moves in the offseason, and it wouldn’t be far-fetched to see them snag Fowler from the Cubs. With Matt Holliday and Brandon Moss being the only significant free agents, the Cardinals should be in good shape next season after they put together a good offseason.
The Brewers are a team under everyone’s radar that I think will improve greatly in 2017. With one of the best farms in baseball, the Brewers may be similar to last season’s Yankees. Milwaukee has several prospects that seem big league ready, and could find themselves flirting with being over 80 wins.
As for the Pirates, after a disappointing year they may find themselves in worse shape. Trading Andrew McCutchen has been talked about, and their pitching is too thin. If anyone goes down with an injury, they are short on talent outside of their starting nine.