Today I am going to take a look at the updated starting rotations for each National League Central team.
Pitchers like Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, and Roy Oswalt call this division home. This division has quality pitchers throughout.
Here are the updated starting rotations for each National League Central team.
St. Louis Cardinals
1. Chris Carpenter, RHP
2. Adam Wainwright, RHP
3. Kyle Lohse, RHP
4. Brad Penny, RHP
5. Jaime Garcia, LHP
Quick Take: This rotation is very top-heavy, with Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright leading the way. I like the Brad Penny signing. The Cardinals will go with Jaime Garcia (pictured) in the fifth spot of the rotation after the Tommy John survivor impressed with a 1.93 ERA this spring.
Milwaukee Brewers
1. Yovani Gallardo, RHP
2. Randy Wolf, LHP
3. Doug Davis, LHP
4. Dave Bush, RHP
5. Jeff Suppan, RHP
Quick Take: With the additions of Randy Wolf and Doug Davis, this rotation is vastly improved from 2009. Wolf and Davis will give the Brewers innings. Look for Yovani Gallardo to continue to develop into an ace. Thankfully for Brewer fans, this will be Jeff Suppan’s last year with the team.
Chicago Cubs
1. Carlos Zambrano, RHP
2. Ryan Dempster, RHP
3. Randy Wells, RHP
4. Carlos Silva, RHP
5. Tom Gorzelanny, LHP
Quick Take: With Ted Lilly out until mid-April, the Cubs will use Carlos Silva in his spot. I am going to say that is a downgrade. When Lilly comes back, either Silva or Tom Gorzelanny will move to the 'pen. This rotation will be really helped out if Carlos Zambrano has his head on straight.
Cincinnati Reds
1. Aaron Harang, RHP
2. Bronson Arroyo, RHP
3. Johnny Cueto, RHP
4. Homer Bailey, RHP
5. TBD
Quick Take: This rotation will really miss Edinson Volquez in 2010. Volquez might pitch in 2010, but not until toward the end of the season. Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang are prime trade candidates. The Reds’ No. 5 starter spot is open right now. Justin Lehr, Mike Leake, or Aroldis Chapman are competing for that spot.
Houston Astros
1. Roy Oswalt, RHP
2. Wandy Rodriguez, LHP
3. Brett Myers, RHP
4. Bud Norris, RHP
5. Brian Moehler, RHP
Quick Take: From where this rotation was at the beginning of 2009, the Astros have come a long way. Houston needs Roy Oswalt to have a bounce-back year. Bud Norris showed potential last season but needs to cut down on his walks and to show development from last season. Felipe Paulino could still unseat Moehler for the fifth spot.
Pittsburgh Pirates
1. Zach Duke, LHP
2. Paul Maholm, LHP
3. Ross Ohlendorf, RHP
4. Charlie Morton, RHP
5. Daniel McCutchen, RHP
Quick Take: I really feel bad for Maholm and Duke. If they were on better teams, they would be more recognized and people would know how good they are. Morton came over to the Pirates in the Nate McLouth trade, and, at 26, he needs to step up and prove he belongs in the major leagues.
Tomorrow I will take a look at the division where pitching dominates—the National League West.
You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @theghostofmlg.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
- Login to post comments