2016 MLB season: NL Central preview

Will the World Series favorite Chicago Cubs be able to hold off a pair of strong contenders in the NL Central?

A year after having the three best teams in baseball during the regular season, all eyes will once again be on the NL Central in 2016, as this year’s race promises to be just as exciting.

The St. Louis Cardinals got off to a fast start in 2016 and held off the competition for their third consecutive division title, piling up an MLB-best 100 wins. While everyone expected the consistent Cardinals to be a World Series contender, one team in the division

Theo Epstein has been amassing tons of young talent since taking over as President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs prior to the 2012 season. That talent arrived in 2015, perhaps a year ahead of schedule, resulting in a 97-win season and victory over the Cardinals in the ALDS.

The Cubs figure to have better times ahead as their young players continue to develop and more prospects arrive. As if that wasn’t enough, the Cubs took signed two key former Cardinals this offseason in John Lackey and Jason Heyward, among other moves, making them the preseason favorite to win the World Series.

With all the buzz surrounding the Cubs and Cardinals, the Pittsburgh Pirates have almost become the forgotten team in the division. Pittsburgh actually topped Chicago with 98 wins a year ago, and again should be right in the mix for its fourth consecutive playoff appearance.

As great as the top three teams are, the bottom of the division is very weak, with the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers rebuilding. Both clubs will hope to develop some prospects this year and avoid getting too beat up by their three contending rivals.

While the Cubs have the strongest roster in the NL Central for now, the Cardinals and Pirates are not far behind. All three could challenge for the division title and have the ability to go on a deep playoff run.

Next: 5. Cincinnati Reds