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National League Central may have the best race in MLB

By Carlos Nazario

Oct 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday (7) reacts after he hits a three run home run in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game one of the 2014 NLDS playoff baseball game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday (7) reacts after he hits a three run home run in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game one of the 2014 NLDS playoff baseball game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Cincinnati Reds (75-87)

After the Cincinnati Reds made it to the playoffs in three of the four years between 2010-2013, they decided that the early round exits were unacceptable and fired manager Dusty Baker. They named pitching coach Bryan Price as his replacement, then went on to suffer key injuries to Joey Votto and Brandon Philips.

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    • The Reds finished 2014 with a 76-86 record. The injuries were a killer for them, but they also had subpar seasons from other key players.

    The Reds finished 13th in the National League in runs scored, but finished fifth in pitching.

    So what did the Reds decide to do? They blew up the good starting pitching.

    Mat Latos had a 3.25 ERA and a WHIP of 1.15, but he made just 16 starts because of injuries. He had a 5-5 record. He was shipped off to Miami and is now part of the Marlins rotation.

    Alfredo Simon (aka Big Pasta) was making the transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation, and he won 15 games and had a 3.44 ERA. He was shipped off to Detroit to pitch for the Tigers.

    The Reds plan to replace those two with Tony Cingrani and Anthony DeSclafani, two unproven pitchers.

    The Reds are also hoping that Votto and Philips can be healthy all season long. If the pitching behind Johnny Cueto (20-9, 2.25 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 242 strikeouts in 2014) struggles, the offense needs to score a lot of runs.

    Things could get ugly in Cincinnati in 2015.

    Next: 4. Milwaukee Brewers

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