How about that NL central

[The Miz]

I predicted at the beginning of the year this division would be the most competitive, even more so than the AL east. All 5 teams are over .500. Most people expected Milwaukee and Pittsburgh to be out of it already, but they're within 3 or 4 games of St. Louis, Chicago, Cincinnati and Houston.

Where do you predict they will rank at seasons end?

Houston
Chicago
St. Louis
Cincinnati
Pittsburgh
Milwaukee

I think it will be up for grabs up till the last few days of the season, and I think there will be 4 teams still fighting at the end of the season.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Yea I never really thought about it but the NL central does look better then the AL East. AL East has Sox and Yanks obviously, and Balitmore this year has been vastly improved so far. But after a semi-strong start (I guess?) The Devil Rays have fallen off again and the Blue Jays suck

Where as the Cubbies and Astros have been strong the last few seasons. St. Louis was pretty close last year if I remember correctly and Cinncinatti has also vastly improved, probably more then Baltimore has.

In the end though I don't think the Pirates or the Brewers will be any type of factors and I am guessing one of those "top 4" teams will fall off a little bit and it end up being a 3 team race.

[Loose Cannon]

Indians aren't in the East sTiMa. Yeah, I said the Stros would go to the Series and face the Yanks.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

hahah oops

Dunno why I put that

They still suck either way :cool:

[DaveWadding]

Cubs
Cards
Stros(tie w/Cards)
Reds
Brewers
Pirates

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I still think the Reds will tank by the all star break but right now this is sweet

[DegenerationY]

The wildcard is coming out of the Central for sure.

It's by far the best division in baseball at the moment.

[The Outlaw]

ATM being the key phrase.

[John la Rock]

The Astros will take the NL central. Cubs are too banged up right now and the Reds will eventually flop

Nothing can stop Houston's pitching this year , Clemens, Pettite, Miller, Oswalt, are dominant starters. Their hitting is also outstanding Bagwell, Kent, Berkman, Biggio, Hidalgo, etc.

I would have said Cubs but since Wood and Prior have pretty much been on the DL the whole year I have to count them out.

[John la Rock]

and the Cardinals have good hitting but they're too inconsistent, especially on the mound. Common they have freaking Chris Carpenter. That guy was such a flop in Toronto and is so inconsistent. I doubt he can pull a Loazia and turn things around for another team

[Supreme Olajuwon]

The wildcard is coming out of the Central for sure.

It's by far the best division in baseball at the moment.

I think thats the reason the Wild card team won't come out of the Central. All the teams are going to beat up one each other and trade wins so I doubt anyone will win 95 games but Philly and Florida dont really have much to deal with so one of them will prolly get it

[BCWWF]

Not really going along with the topic, but how hot is Lance Berkman lately? He's on my fantasy team, HR every fricken game :lol:

[YOUR Hero]

I think thats the reason the Wild card team won't come out of the Central. All the teams are going to beat up one each other and trade wins so I doubt anyone will win 95 games but Philly and Florida dont really have much to deal with so one of them will prolly get it

yup yup

[The Outlaw]

:'(Braves:'(

[MTR]

and the Cardinals have good hitting but they're too inconsistent, especially on the mound. Common they have freaking Chris Carpenter. That guy was such a flop in Toronto and is so inconsistent. I doubt he can pull a Loazia and turn things around for another team

Carpenter is pitching really well right now. Then again he gets to work with like the best pitching coach in the league too.

Williams is not doing so how though. :(

Suppan has pitched well but has not always gotten good support.

Cards bats can go quiet at times though. :(

I don't see the Wild Card coming out of here though. As already said in this thread the teams are going to beat each other up too much.

I think Houston is going to take it but not without a fight from the Cubs and Cards.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

As strong as the Central is overall i think the Red Sox and Yankees are better then any team in it IMO

But overall NL Central is a lot stronger then the AL East

[BCWWF]

Thats kind of funny if the Cubs don't make it, cause they spent so much money to make such an amazing team for this year, and were everybodies preseason favorites. Personally, I would rather see the Cubs wait another 10 years, make the playoffs with a bunch of home grown guys, and upset the Yankee's or Red Sox or Mariners. I think that would be a lot better of a story.

[YOUR Hero]

Chris Carpenter is an awesome talent, he was the ace ahead of Halliday in T.O. at one time. His problem though is injuries. Not sure if he still has the same stuff (lost track of him).