NL Central Division Season Preview
By John E. Sacco

St. Louis Cardinals

2000 record: 95-67, division champions, defeated Atlanta in Division Series, lost to New York Mets in NLCS.

By the numbers: Used 137 different lineups in 2000. The pitching staff led the division in earned run average (4.38), starters' ERA (4.21), quality starts (85) and innings by starters (1,000 2/3). Cardinals' starting pitchers were 76-46 overall. Mark McGwire was limited to just 236 at bats.

Manager: Tony LaRussa

Key acquisitions: Dustin Hermanson, RHP; Steve Kline, LHP; Shane Andrews, 3B; Bobby Bonilla, OF-3B

Tough losses: Fernando Tatis, 3B; Britt Reames, RHP, Pat Hentgen, RHP; Will Clark, 1B

Keep an eye on: Third base because with Tatis gone, the team has turned to the likes of Placido Palanco, Andrews and Craig Paquette. That is at least until talented youngster Albert Pujols steps up.

Question to be answered: Can the starting staff repeat its efforts of 2000? With Hermanson added that shouldn't be a problem.

Everything is fine if: Rick Ankiel, LHP, regains his control and becomes the pitcher everyone thinks he can be, and if McGwire stays healthy.

The Skinny: The starting pitching is potentially outstanding. Dave Veres, RHP, is a quality closer and Kline should boost the setup relief corps. The Cardinals pack a potent offensive punch. Jim Edmonds, OF, Edgar Renteria, SS, Fernando Vina, 2B, Ray Lankford, OF. That's a lot of pop. They let valuable reserves Shawon Dunston and Eric Davis walk and replaced them with Bonilla, John Mabry, Bernard Gilkey and the like. They can't afford injuries.

Houston Astros

2000 record: 72-90, 4th place, 23 games back

By the numbers: Houston was the NL's second-highest scoring team, and outscored all four NL playoff teams. Before moving to Enron Field last year, the Astros' team record for home runs was 168. In 2000, Houston hit 249.

Manager: Larry Dierker

Key acquisitions: Brad Ausmus, C; Doug Brocail, RHP; Nelson Cruz, RHP; Kent Bottenfield, RHP; Mike Jackson, RHP

Tough losses: Roger Cedeno, OF: Mitch Meluskey, C; Chris Holt, RHP; Ken Caminiti, 3B

Keep an eye on: The pitching. Houston's offensive prowess is unquestioned. But the Astros need much better from Jose Lima, RHP, who went 7-16 with a 6.65 ERA. They also need a healthy Shane Reynolds, RHP, who missed two months of the season with back trouble, and closer Billy Wagner, RHP, who missed 94 games with an elbow injury.

Question to be answered: Was last season's backslide an aberration?

Everything is fine if: The pitching is above average and Craig Biggio, 2B, returns to good health and his previous level of performance.

The Skinny: Houston had an initial problem with its new home, Enron Field, which was the antithesis of the Astrodome. But despite all the injury problems and constant speculation about Dierker's status, the Astros finished strong. Any team with Jeff Bagwell, 1B, Biggio, Moises Alou, OF, Lance Berkman, OF, Richard Hidalgo, OF, and Chris Truby, 3B, in the starting lineup and Darlye Ward, OF, and Billy Spiers, INF, sitting on its bench is a factor.

Milwaukee Brewers

2000 record: 73-89, 3rd place, 22 games back

By the numbers: Closer Curtis Leskanic, a Munhall native, took over for Bob Wickman, dealt to Cleveland at the trading deadline, and finished by winning nine of 10 decisions, converting 11 of 12 save opportunities, and posting a 1.86 ERA after the first month of the season.

Manager: Davey Lopes

Key acquisitions: Jeffrey Hammonds, OF; Will Cunnane, RHP; Tony Fernandez, 3B

Tough losses: None

Keep an eye on: Hammonds because a lot of folks think his numbers in 2000, 20 HRs, 106 RBI and .335 batting average had everything to do with playing his home games at Coors Field. Leskanic to see if he is as good as his finish suggests. How the Brewers react to a new venue, Miller Park.

Questions to be answered: Can Hammonds play centerfield and is Jeff D'Amico, RHP, as good as he looked in posting a 12-7 record with a 2.66 ERA in 23 starts.

Everything is fine if: Ron Belliard, 2B, and Mark Loretta, SS, set the table for what is a potent middle of the lineup with Geoff Jenkins, OF; Richie Sexson, 1B; Jeromy Burnitz, OF; and Hammonds and if the starting pitching holds up.

The Skinny: This team is a potential surprise. The lineup is solid, the starting pitching has some promise, and the bullpen should be good. If Ben Sheets, Olympic hero, can come in and be a solid starting pitcher, a wonderful story could brew in Milwaukee.

Pittsburgh Pirates

2000 Record: 69-93, 5th place, 26 games back

By the numbers: The Pirates made 132 errors and yielded 94 unearned runs. That's no way to help a questionable pitching staff. The starting pitchers had a 5.04 ERA and posted just 71 quality starts.

Manager: Lloyd McClendon

Key acquisitions: Terry Mulholland, LHP; Derek Bell, OF

Tough losses: None

Keep an eye on: The middle of the infield. It is likely to have at least one new face, perhaps two. Reserve Enrique Wilson will push both Pat Meares, SS; and Warren Morris, 2B; And youngster Jack Wilson, SS, is just the kind of hard-nosed, defensive-minded player McClendon would love to unseat an underachieving veteran.

Questions to be answered: Are Francisco Cordova and Jason Schmidt, RHPs, both healthy and capable of actually producing more than the average overall performances that have dotted their Pirates careers? Also, is there enough talent here to really make progress?

Everything is fine if: Brian Giles, OF, and Jason Kendall, C, can help lead the team's younger players like Aramis Ramirez, 3B, and Adrian Brown, OF, with the sterling performances that have dotted their Pirates careers. And, of course, if the pitching, so long on potential and short on results, ever lives up to what a lot of folks think it can be.

The Skinny: McClendon has set a much different tone around the Pirate camp. One of the veterans - Meares or Kevin Young, 1B - will take part of the fall for past failures. Kris Benson, RHP, is ready to make a breakthrough. But the Pirates need more than him. The attitude will be better, so will the defense and the record. Avoiding a ninth consecutive losing season could be tough, though.

Cincinnati Reds

2000 record: 85-77 record, 2nd place, 10 games back

By the numbers: The Reds made 111 errors after being one of the NL's best defensive teams in 1999. They scored 60 more runs than their opponents. Cincinnati set an all-time record for road attendance, becoming the first team to draw more than 3 million for away games. Ken Griffey Jr., OF, probably had a little to do with that.

Manager: Bob Boone

Key acquisitions: Donnie Sadler, INF; Wilton Guerrero, INF, Kelly Stinnett, C

Tough losses: Ready? Chris Stynes, 3B; Eddie Taubensee, C; Ron Villone, LHP; and Steve Parris, RHP

Keep an eye on: General Manager Jim Bowden, just in case he decides to purge more of the veterans from the roster.

Question to be answered: Is the offensive thunder that should be provided by Griffey, Sean Casey, 1B; Pokey Reese, 2B; Barry Larkin, SS; Aaron Boone, 3B; Dmitri Young, OF; Michael Tucker/Alex Ochoa, OFs; enough to overcome what looks like an over-matched, severely depleted pitching staff that - by the way has an over-used bullpen?

Everything is fine if: The members of the Big Red Machine find the "Fountain of Youth" and take over for one more championship run.

The Skinny: A year ago at this time, a lot of folks, including myself, were getting ready to fit the Reds with championship rings. My how things change. The overall atmosphere here doesn't seem good. Griffey or not, strong offense or not, this looks like a tough season for Cincinnati and new manager Bob Boone, who openly campaigned for the job all of last season. Hey, Bob. Be careful what you wish for.

Chicago Cubs

2000 record: 65-97, 6th place 30 games back

By the numbers: The Cubs have finished 30 games out of first two straight seasons. This will mark the first season since 1988 that Chicago will open a season with someone at first base other than Mark Grace.

Manager: Don Baylor

Key acquisitions: Bill Mueller, 3B; Matt Stairs, 1B-OF; Todd Hundley, C; Jeff Fassero, LHP; Tom Gordon, RHP; Ron Coomer, 1B; Jason Bere, RHP

Tough losses: Grace

Keep an eye on: The starting pitching because last year the team had just 69 quality starts and the starters went 40-62 with a 5.29 ERA.

Question to be answered: Can the Cubs really change under Baylor? He's demanding and expects things done a certain way.

Everything is fine if: Sammy Sosa, OF, leads the NL in HRs and doesn't cause much disruption and the potentially solid offense can be even more explosive to help that weak staff.

The Skinny: Sosa is a star and clearly the team's best player. Overlooked in all the trade talk of 2000, was the fact he enjoyed his greatest season overall. Chicago has some weapons on offense but that pitching staff is lethal. To the Cubs' chances of being remotely good, of course.