Cards to Defend Title?

St Louis to defend title?

St Louis is going to be hard pressed to make the playoffs this season to defend their World Series title.  Milwaukee looks like the real deal in the division and the wild card slot will be up for grabs between LA, San Diego and Atlanta with New York staying a top the NL East.

Outside of Pujols they are going to struggle to produce runs and their pitching is the worst in the NL.  Even if/when Carpenter comes back, the long season will have its effect on relievers turned starters in Looper and Wainwright.  After that, there is not much else anyway.  The loss of Jeff Suppan to the rival Brewers has cost them a quality proven starter.

The Brewers have been hitting the cover off of the ball with Prince Fielder leading the way (23HR, 51 RBI).  They are very deep in the outfield with Billy Hall, Cory Hart, Kevin Mench and Tony Gwynn.  The emergence of Star call up Ryan Braun solidifies the infield with JJ Hardy, Rickie Weeks and Fielder.

They’re also getting great efforts from their pitching staff and waiting in the wings in possibly the best pitching prospect in baseball, Yovani Gallardo (Triple-A: (8-1), 2.14 ERA, 95 K, 0.950 WHIP). 

They will hit some rough patches during the long season, but will come out on top in the Central Division.

Count on it.

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