NL Central
5. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates remain a disaster and that is a true shame. The team bottomed out at 69-93 in 2019 and that led to the end of the Clint Hurdle era. The Chris Archer deal looks like a disaster and it is hard to ever have faith in this organization.
4. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are ranked fourth here, but the race should be a tight one separated by only a few games. Joey Votto and Mike Moustakas provide pop in the lineup and Trevor Bauer, as interesting as he is, can be a true ace. Expect the Reds to compete for a playoff spot in this competitive division.
3. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals’ magical 2019 season was cut short by a sweep in the NLCS. The core is back and the Cardinals are the defending division champions. The only question is how the veteran team will do in a rushed and shortened season.
2. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are another team in a unique spot. Star player Kris Bryant doesn’t exactly see eye-to-eye with the front office and this may be the final full season for him with the club. Jon Lester may also be on his way out and a new manager in David Ross should be able to rally the team.
1. Milwaukee Brewers
Christian Yelich is healthy and is looking to help the Brewers avenge a brutal loss in last year’s NL Wild Card Game. A late bullpen collapse sent the Brewers home and the expectation should be the team does even better with Yelich back in the fold.