by Larry Rahn

Created on: January 15, 2010   Last Updated: January 16, 2010

Projecting the National League Central Division, is actually a pretty easy task to accomplish if you know the managers, players and most of the spending habits of the  owners. We'll get started with the team that will be on top the division again, in my mind.

St. Louis Cardinals should prevail as the champs in this division again. Mainly because of their off season signing of outfielder Matt Holliday and adding to the starting rotation Brad Penny. They have managed to keep most of the team intact from last year. Pitching rotation of Carpenter, Wainright, Lohse, Penny, and perhaps a spot starter like Smoltz or McClellan is one the best in baseball for this coming season. Add to that mixture, 3 time MVP, Mr. Albert Pujols and you have a designed team of pitching, power and determination. Larussa and Duncan are a heck of a tandem at managing, maneuvering, rebuilding and  getting the most from their players. Repeat all the way.

Milwaukee Brewers will probably finish in 2nd place this year. They have a good pitching staff, lots of bat power and good defense in the field too. The ownership here has finally turned loose of some cash  for players and did some smart trading to become pretty consistent every year in the division.

Maybe a change in ownership will bring a pennant to "DA" Cubs in Chicago. If they can keep their main star players focused all season they have a chance to maybe improve over last year and maybe even challenge the above mentioned teams. The "friendly confines" will be packed for every game as usual and perhaps barring injuries and inconsistent play they can be a very good club.

The Houston Astros are in need of some new , young blood in the lineup. Berkman is getting older and not as productive as he once was. With some stellar pitching and good defense they should be a surprising team this year and maye even better than I anticipate.

Cincinnati Reds with Walt Jocketty could be the dark horse in this division. They have good pitching and have added the young Cuban defector, who throws in triple digits, so, maybe they will surprise us all. However, as of now, they need some power at bat and better fielding before they can seriously contend.

Last, and certainly not least, Pittsburgh. Seventeen  years with a losing record simply because the ownership is always snug with money and then when they do get a good player in their system, they seem to trade him away for lesser talent, just to save money. Let the Rooney family from the Steelers have this franchise and they'll build a winner, wishful thinking.

Those are my picks and I think pretty accurate for this coming season. My picks for the Series, St. Louis and Boston ?

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