Handicapping 2009 National League Central

NL Central’s a mess for all concerned!

With over 50 games left on the Major League schedule, there is plenty for a lot of teams still to play for, especially in the congested National League Central division where no less than four teams are within four games of top spot.

The Cubs and Cardinals are tied for the divisional lead, but the danger could come from lower where the Brewers and Astros are lying in wait, a couple of those teams having been boosted by big pre-deadline trades.

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Matt Holliday has been on fire since arriving in St Louis (although he’s finally cooled off the ailing Albert Pujols’ bat!) and he and Mark De Rosa suddenly give them a solid looking line-up, also boosted by Julio Lugo’s arrival, even if his hot streak lasted about five games before getting back to his normal mediocrity.

But despite that, St Louis has troubles finding two starters to round out the rotation since Kyle Lohse is still…well Kyle Lohse, and the bullpen still has more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese despite the impressive season Ryan Franklin is putting together.

Baseball betting suggests that the door is wide open for those teams to come from behind, but you have to like the looks of the Brewers based on their divisional record.

Houston has, so far this season, been pretty lousy against NL Central opposition (22-29) and although rookie Bud Norris impressed in a couple of starts, should he have to replace Roy Oswalt for too long, teams will soon get a read on him.

Milwaukee couldn’t match the deal they made last season to get C.C. Sabathia in as a rental – he lifted them on his back to the play-offs in 2008-9 – leaving them relying on a potent but inconsistent offense to back up pitching that has holes galore…probably more so than the Cards in fact.

And that brings us to the Cubs, where the closer can’t get an out, a starter deemed not good enough by Pittsburgh is about to join the rotation (Tom Gorzelanny if you care!) and not a single batter is hitting over .300 (regulars only, not including Aramis Ramirez who has played 39 games and is hurt again).

Confused? Well I am, and it’s a fair baseball bet to say that all four of these teams could have led the division again by the time the season ends and it’s a crapshoot as to which one will be there come the end of play on October 4.

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