MLB roundup: National League Central monthly check-up

At 9-15, the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals occupy the basement of the division, but really only one of those teams will stay there. The Reds lost 100 games last summer, traded off most of their MLB talent for prospects, and are trying to rebuild. The Cardinals, on the the other hand, have not had a losing season in 15 years. Their roster is scattered with All-Stars, MVP candidates, and Gold Glove winners. Their offense sits in the top half of the league in most measurable statistics, and in the top 10 in most of the important ones. However, this team has fallen victim to some pretty atrocious pitching to start the year. As a staff, the starters are 24th in ERA, and 24th in WHIP. They are 28th in H/9, 22nd in HR/9, and 18th in walks, and that is not a recipe that will lead to very many wins, no matter how good the offense is.

St. Louis is definitley too talented to stay on the bottom for long, and should the pitching come around, this is a team that can pile up wins quickly.

This division has been one of my favorites to track so far this season, and as the calendar flips to May, and the summer hits full stride, definitely keep an eye on the NL Central.