The beginning of Spring Training 2015 brings forth excitement for Major League Baseball fans everywhere along with hope for players who plan to reach the postseason for the first time or repeat and exceed the postseason success they found in recent years. As we will see most anywhere we look, VAVEL has carefully examined and previewed each of the six divisions. 

The National League Central ranks at the top of the most exciting division races we should see this season, and we predict the following finishes for 2015.

1st Place: St. Louis Cardinals

2014: 92-42, First in N.L. Central, NLCS Runner-Up

Biggest Strengths: It seems that no matter which players take the field, manager Mike Matheny knows exactly how to get the best from them. That was very evident when star catcher Yadier Molina went down for most of the second half last year. The Cardinals went from second place into first during that time. Matheny took a team that was middle-of-the pack in both offense (in terms of runs scored) and pitching and got them to the NLCS once again.

Biggest Weaknesses: The Cardinals’ bullpen had a 3.62 ERA last year, and they did not make any major changes. Still, though, the bullpen is strong enough to win or save ball games. This Cardinals team has so many strengths that a 3.62 bullpen ERA is the biggest weakness, which bodes well for the Cardinals again in 2015.

Impact Players to watch: Following the tragic death of young budding star Oscar Tavares, the Cardinals traded pitcher Shelby Miller for right fielder Jason Heyward (among others in the deal). Heyward’s production fell off in the past two seasons, but now with a very consistent team and manager, he should return to the form that gave him his best season to date: 2012 (.269/.335/.479, 27 HR, 82 RBI).

Second baseman Kolten Wong came around last year in his first full season. At age 24 this year, he should progress toward his All-Star potential. Starter Adam Wainwright has no-hit potential every time out, and he should pitch just as well this year as he always does.

Prediction: 1st place, 92-70, NLCS.

2nd Place: Chicago Cubs

2014: 73-89, Fifth in N.L. Central

Biggest Strengths: Along with the signing of ace left-hander Jon Lester, the Cubs hired the best manager available – and one of the best in the game – in Joe Maddon. The Cubs also have a starting rotation full of lesser-known talent that proved they can flat out pitch in 2014. They added a legitimate lead-off hitter and center fielder when they added Dexter Fowler in January.

Biggest Weaknesses: With the power and tout that the Cubs have in their young lineup and farm system, the Cubs’ sluggers must reduce strikeouts while driving in runs when the long ball is absent. The Cubs scored 3.79 runs per game (26th in the Majors) in 2014 while clubbing 157 home runs (5th). Lester cannot and will not propel the Cubs to the postseason alone. He and the rest of the pitchers need run support.

The Cubs also have had a very weak bullpen in recent years, but Hector Rondon is growing into a legitimate closer. Jason Motte can set up or close assuming he stays healthy. Both of these pitchers, though, are still iffy until they show otherwise.

Impact Players to watch: Though young themselves, first baseman Anthony Rizzo and shortstop Starlin Castro are now the team leaders. Both had break-out seasons in 2014 with little help at the plate. If the rest of the revamped lineup can do its job, then these two will compete for All-Star spots and end-of-season awards.

Right fielder Jorge Soler is one of the young studs the Cubs count on as they try to build a winner. Soler hit .292/.330/.573 with 5 HR and 20 RBI in 24 games late last year. If/when he reduces his strikeouts, he will become a legitamite MVP candidate in the near future.

Prediction: 86-76, Possible N.L. Wild Card

3rd Place: Pittsburgh Pirates

2014: 88-74, Second in N.L. Central, N.L. Wild Card

Biggest Strengths: The top of the batting order is among the most dynamic in the Majors. Andrew McCutchen can hit lead-off or third equally well, and he is a perennial MVP candidate. The Pirates also have a very strong bullpen led by Mark Melancon. Jared Hughes is lesser-known but very effective (1.96 ERA in 64 1/3 innings lat year). They also make few mistakes on the bases, and Josh Harrison twice showed us all how to get out of a run down last season.

Biggest Weaknesses: The Pirates lack power. McCutchen led the team with 25 home runs and 85 RBI while Neal Walker was second in both with 23 HR and 76 RBI. No one else had 20, and Russell Martin is now gone. Still, the Pirates find ways to win, which is ultimately the goal.

Impact Players to watch: Obviously, McCutchen will have his normal stellar season. Harrison could contend for a batting title. Pedro Alvarez will need a bounce-back season and may move across the diamond to first base. The Pirates need his 30 and 36 HR and 85 and 100 RBI he had in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Prediction: 84-78

4th Place: Milwaukee Brewers

2014: 82-80, Third in N.L. Central

Biggest Strengths: The Brewers have a very solid outfield both offensively and defensively with Khris Davis in left, Carlos Gomez in center, and Ryan Braun in right. All three have power, speed, and Gold-Glove potential. They will need to carry the load as the Brewers lack these qualities in the infield.

Biggest Weaknesses: The Brewers have not had a steady first baseman since Prince Fielder left after 2011. They brought in Adam Lind from Toronto this year. Lind hits very well, but he has little to no power. The bullpen has lost its two best relievers from last year in Zack Duke and Francisco Rodriguez, leaving little experience other than Jonathan Broxton to close out games. Broxton, though, pitched much better in Milwaukee after the trade than he did in Cincinnati last year.

UPDATE: Rodriguez re-signed with the Brewers just before Spring Training began.

Impact Players to watch: Catcher Jonathan Lucroy was a very strong MVP candidate in 2014, and we will have to see how well he bounces back from his strained hamstring when the regular season begins. The Brewers will need that same performance from him just to compete. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez is aging but still producing. He needs to stay healthy, though, to keep producing. We never know what kind of mood Gomez will be in, but he can flat out play on both sides of the ball.

Prediction: 76-86

5th Place: Cincinnati Reds

2014: 76-86, Fourth in N.L. Central

Biggest Strengths: The starting rotation is still as strong as we have seen in the last several years. Johnny Cueto was a Cy Young candidate, and he will lead the staff once again. Reds starters were third in ERA last year, and they have almost the identical staff. They also have the most-feared closer in the game in Aroldis Chapman, and for the first time in a number of offseasons, we have heard no talk of moving him out of the bullpen. They just need to get him the ball with a lead.

Biggest Weaknesses: Offensively, the Reds have done little this offseason to improve on their 13th-ranked 2014 offense in terms of runs scored. Joey Votto’s absence was a huge factor, but he is back. Still, the Reds got little production other than from Todd Fraiser, Devin Mesorasco, and Jay Bruce.

Impact Players to watch: Votto and Brandon Phillips need to show themselves healthy and perform up to their usual high standards. With little coming from most others on offense, the Reds’ season may ride on these two big names. Billy Hamilton’s blazing speed is fun to watch, but it does little good when it comes with a .297 on-base percentage. He cannot steal first base. When he gets on, though, he can drive pitchers crazy.

Prediction: 71-91

Division Summary

The National League Central may have a dog fight down to the wire once again. Just two years ago, this division sent three teams to the postseason. That will not likely happen again this year, but the division could remain tight for most or all of the season. No team will “run away with it,” and it does not appear that any team will completely drop out of contention by the July 31 trading deadline.

The Cardinals will start, stay, and finish strong all season and remain consistent. They could hold first place for nearly the entire season.

The Cubs will have to rely heavily on their strong Lester-led rotation while the young sluggers mature throughout the season. Once the offense starts to make more consistent contact, the Cubs should make a push for a postseason berth. Maddon will make sure that happens.

Do not count Pittsburgh out too early. They will rise and fall throughout the season, and after tasting the postseason for two straight years, they are hungry for more.

Both Milwaukee and Cincinnati will remain close, but when the trading deadline approaches, their general managers will have some tough decisions to make regarding buying or selling. Likely, they will both sell.

This year, the MLB season begins on Sunday night, April 5, when the Cubs host the Cardinals. That is also the beginning of the bitterest rivalry in the division and one of the hottest in all of baseball.