By PAUL HINES
paul.hines@register-news.com
MT. VERNON —
I have a few yearly sports traditions. Usually this time of year I’m trying to track down predictions on who will win the NL Central and where the various six teams will place.
This year I’m trying to avoid that task. I’m bracing myself for a wretched baseball season. Sure it’s a defense mechanism, but as a Chicago Cubs fan I’ve learned you have to defend yourself mentally because the attacks and surprises can come from anywhere — even your own fans hijacking a potential World Series bid. And no, I haven’t gotten over 2003.
When my national sports magazines come, I’ll first flip to the predictions page and immediately read who they think will be going to the World Series. It won’t include the Cubs. Odds are it will be either the Boston Red Sox or Philadelphia Phillies who most people will pick.
I did bend to temptation the other day when I was at a store and picked up a baseball preview and saw the Cubs ranked fourth in the Central. That’s about right.
But I’ve decided to forego relying on the national pundits and make some divisional picks of my own. Yes I’m a Cubs fan, but I won’t let that spoil my picks. I feel like with Albert Pujols’ contract distraction and the injury to Adam Wainwright, the division is up for grabs. I will never believe in the Reds as a divisional power, and the Cubs are clearly just waiting for several bad contracts to expire before they have a hope to contend again. Houston and Pittsburgh have no chance.
That leaves the Brewers.
I still think the Cardinals could win this division. Tony La Russa is baseball’s version of Merlin. He can spin something out of nothing. There have been several examples of him pulling a rabbit out of a hat in the form of defying expectations. But losing Wainwright is too much to expect a divisional title. Now there are rumors Chris Carpenter is not opposed to being traded. That piled on top of no contract for uber-slugger Pujols. It’s too much. They will contend but finish second.
I see the Reds in third followed by the Cubs. I picked the Brewers because last season they had a powerful offense but lacked pitching. This year they’ve addressed their pitching needs and appear to be a well-rounded squad capable of winning this division. I don’t love the Brewers as a team or a title contender, but they’re the best the NL Central has.
And once again the Astros and Pirates will battle for the cellar, with the Pirates winning.
Paul Hines is the sports editor for the Register-News.
