NL Central Preview

by Matt Wilson on Mar 10, 2008 6:37 PM CDT Comment 6 comments

Hey all, over at NBB we have just posted our division preview for the NL Central. Looking good for the Astros in '08.

http://www.nobiasbaseball.com/2008/03/nbb-division-preview-nl-central.html

Here's an excerpt:

2008 will be a great offensive year for the Astros. Their first move was to pick up Miguel Tejada, who had a down year in 2007, but is poised to make a rebound. Kaz Matsui, coming off a career year with the Rockies, steps in at second base and will provide some pop and speed at the top of the lineup. Leading off will likely be young center fielder Michael Bourn, who has shown incredible speed, but could use a little more patience at the plate. If Matsui and Bourn get on base at .350 clips, Tejada, Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee will have a field day raking RBI.

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Thanks for the link

Although, when I read the "looking good for the Astros in '08", I expected y'all to pick us higher than 4th in the division ;)

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 10, 2008 7:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

no

He actually has them as third. The 4th was their place last season.

by Matt Bishoff on Mar 10, 2008 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ah cool

Still, low from my original take of the intro..

Blame my short attention span for that one ;)

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 10, 2008 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually

They may be listed at third at this point, but that's considering that the rotation has yet to prove it can be effective.

I wrote later in the piece that any of the top four teams could make a run, and the margin between them was very small. Houston and Milwaukee are very close in offense, but you have to give the edge to the Brewers in starting pitching.

That being said, anything goes this year.

by Matt Wilson on Mar 10, 2008 10:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think it's a good

and reasonably fair preview. i'm just glad you didn't slot us behind the Cards, like some people did, which i can't believe.

the homer in me says that the starting pitching will be improved, so long as Tejada doesn't bobble every ball that comes his way. our outfield defense will have much better range, even with Lee still in left, and Matsui will be a vast improvement over Biggio, maybe offsetting some of the downgrade from Everett to Tejada.

the biggest thing will be having positive contributors from top to bottom in the lineup, not to mention possibly the most potent 3-6 in the league. this won't be a good year for people that hate the train at MMP.

by littlevisigoth on Mar 11, 2008 10:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

/agreed

and reasonably fair preview. i'm just glad you didn't slot us behind the Cards, like some people did, which i can't believe.

I agree. I think the Cards and Pirates will battle for last place this season...

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Mar 11, 2008 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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NL Central Standings

	W	L	PCT	GB	STRK
St. Louis Viva El Birdos	91	71	.561	0	Lost 6
Chicago Bleed Cubbie Blue	83	78	.515	7.5	Lost 1
Milwaukee Brew Crew Ball	80	82	.493	11	Won 3
Cincinnati Red Reporter	78	84	.481	13	Won 2
Houston The Crawfish Boxes	74	88	.456	17	Lost 3
Pittsburgh Bucs Dugout	62	99	.385	28.5	Lost 2