MLB Preview: Central

It is day two of baseball preview week here at Juice and The Kicker. Today we are running through the AL and NL Central divisions. So let's just go ahead and jump right on in.

Juice’s Predictions

AL Central:
1. Minnesota Twins
2. Cleveland Indians
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Detroit Tigers

Everybody in the AL Central sucks. Everyone. The Twins have the best rotation, and arguably the worst bullpen. Every lineup has a few decent hitters, and a few questionable hitters. Honestly, even the Royals have a fighting chance in this division. Not a good chance, mind you, but a chance. You could essentially throw the names of all the teams in the Central in a hat, pull them out randomly, and come up with an acceptable prediction for how the division will shake out.

I picked the Twins for two reasons. First of all, they have the best rotation. By far. Second of all I am a homer. Although, I will say, it always makes me nervous picking the Twins because I feel it jinxes them. On the flip side if I don’t have confidence in my team why follow them? Plus, confidence is sexy. I am sexy. Therefore, I picked the Twins. Simple isn’t it?

Also, for sake of full disclosure, the White Sox are my least favorite franchise in all of sports. My bias against them is so strong, I wanted put them in last place. Unfortunately, they are probably slightly better than that. Luckily, though, Kenny Williams ridiculous wheeling and dealing continues to make no sense, and will eventually completely destroy the franchise. So that’s something to look forward to.

Finally, I would just like to apologize for putting the Tigers in last. The city of Detroit is depressed enough as it is. But, well, they're bad. Sorry. They just are.

NL Central:
1. Cincinnati Reds
2. Chicago Cubs
3. St. Louis Cardinals
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Houston Astros
6. Pittsburgh Pirates

I want to start by saying the Pirates are probably the most depressing franchise in all of sports. Let’s just say the last time the Pirates had a decent season Barry Bonds looked like this. Not only that, but there is really no end in sight for the Pirates futility. They have done a terrible job of finding, and developing, young talent, and do not have a single established star on their roster. Maybe it will turn around eventually for the Pirates, but not any time soon. At least you have the Steelers people of Pittsburgh. And the Penguins might be good too, but who would know that?

As for the rest of the division, the Astros and Brewers both have such terrible pitching staffs they have little chance of competing. The Cardinals will be solid, because they always are – thanks almost wholly to Albert Pujols – but there just isn’t enough there to make a run at the playoffs.

Also, as some of you may be aware, Milwaukee was “on fire” in 1982 (the season the Brewers made the World Series for the first time). It took 26 years for the Brewers to regain that flaming magic by returning to the playoffs. Well Milwaukee, I would just like to say get ready for another 26 years, because last year was a Sabathia driven aberration.

Now I know what you are thinking. “I don’t care about the Brewers, Astros, Cardinals or Pirates. You picked the Reds to win the division you crack head. Explain yourself.”

Well alright. I will. But only if you calm down.

Ready? Deep breath.

The Reds will have the best rotation in baseball this year. Yeah. That’s right. The best. They have six solid options at starting pitcher, two of whom are arguably the most talented young pitchers in all of baseball (Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez). Couple that with veterans Aaron Harang (who will have a bounce back year) and the always solid Bronson Arroyo, along with two viable fifth starter options (Homer Bailey and Micah Owings) and the Reds’ rotation will be scary good.

The only question surrounding Cincinnati will be their offense. There is, however, enough young talent there to carry the team to the playoffs. I love Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce and Joey Votto; and the rest of the lineup is solid enough to compete. I expect big things from the Reds.

As for the Cubs, I just don’t see their starting rotation holding up all year. If they can eventually pull off the Jake Peavey trade rumored this offseason, things could change very quickly. Until then, it’s all about the Reds baby!

The Kicker's Predictions

AL Central:
1. Minnesota Twins
2. Cleveland Indians
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Detroit Tigers
5. Kansas City Royals

Alright, I know you're thinking this is a homer pick but it really isn't. I honestly do believe the Twins are the best team in the division. Here is why: they have pitching depth, have a better lineup than last year and they are going to honor the Metrodome by having the last game played in it be a playoff (or World Series) game. With a group of young, talented pitchers, Joe Nathan closing and Morneau, Mauer, Crede, Cuddyer, Kubel as well as speed with Span, Gomez and Punto (sorry Delmon Young, you havent convinced me yet) the Twins should not struggle to score. If Mauer gets healthy I would be even more confident in this.

The Indians jump to 2nd because of a bad division and the fact they cant be as bad as they were. They have a lot of talent and I dont see Travis Hafner being completely useless again. The bottom three teams are all going to be pretty bad but I don't see the White Sox winning the division because they played above themselves for much of last year and I really am not convinced they will stay as good, in fact, with aging players like Jim Thome they should be worse.

The Tigers are overpaid, under talented and just sent their best bullpen arm (Zumaya) to the DL. They will struggle similar to last year but I bet Miguel Cabrera's huge ass will play a role, or roll away. And finally the Royals, nice ball park and there mascot shoots hotdogs out of a high powered air gun.

NL Central:
1. Chicago Cubs
2. Cincinnatti Reds
3. St. Louis Cardinals
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Houston Astros
6. Pittsburgh Pirates

I like the Cubs and I think they are very talented. Couple this, with a mediocre division and they emerge as NL Central champs. With a loaded rotation and plenty of good bats the Cubs will prevail over the young and talented Reds. This might change and unlike Juice I don't see the Reds in the playoffs but there is 162 games to decide that. The Reds, as I mentioned, are oozing with talent and have plenty of young bats and young arms to challenge the Cubbies for the pennant. After the Reds I like the Cardinals because Albert Pujols always produces and the Cards always find a way to win.

No one cares about this division after the top 3 but I put the Brewers fourth...mainly by default but they do still have some good bats in Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder can hit a ball really, really far. The Astros are from Houston and the Pirates are actually in negotiations with Major League Baseball to move to AAA so they can compete.

Coming tomorrow: AL and NL West predictions