by Bruce Pilgrim

Created on: June 21, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

The National League Central is the weakest division in baseball, a mishmash of mediocrity, the worst of the worst. So, the question really is which team stinks the least.

The reigning World Champion St. Louis Cardinals are old, and their starting pitching is on the DL.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a few good players, but not are no threat to finish above fourth.

The Cincinnati Reds are on pace to be the worst team in the major leagues and set a team record for most losses.

The Houston Astros are without Pettite and Clemons, which leaves them with one good starting pitcher, plus an ancient second base man hanging on to get 3000 hits, and Lance Berkman. They are going nowhere.

The Chicago Cubs spent a fortune to add ingredients such as Alfonso Soriano and added new manager Lou Pinella, and they can't seem to put together a winning streak.

That leaves the Milwaukee Brewers who remain in first place. They have an interesting young team with solid pitching somewhat reminiscent of last year's (and this year's) Detroit Tigers. Can they win it all? I guess so.

Absent a complete collapse, no other team shows any ability to catch the Brewskis. Here's the final standings:

1. Brewers
2. Cards, Reds, Astros, Cubs, Pirates tied for last.

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