Chicago Cubs: After notching a paltry win total of 75 last season, the Cubs should be on their way back up this season. Chicago appears poised to respond well in their first full season under manager Mike Quade (24-13 record). Teammates fighting in the dugout in March? This team will have passion this season and adding the bats of Marlon Byrd and Carlos Pena and the arm of Matt Garza spells a positive direction for the Cubbies. The starting rotation has some question marks but this team should score runs in bunches this season.

Cincinnati Reds: The Reds will fade quickly in my opinion. After winning the division and notching 91 wins last season, Cincinnati is likely to get off to a slow start this season. That said, slow starts are tough to bounce back from and the Reds are dealing with injury issues to 3/5 of their rotation. Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey have shoulder issues and Bronson Arroyo is currently a question mark due to illness. Everything fell into place for the Reds last season but pitching is a big question mark heading into this season and many of the other NL Central clubs have improved.

Houston Astros: The Astros won 76 games last season but they could be hard pressed to reach 70 wins this season. Houston's lineup was an issue last season and now they added Clint Barmes (already out with a broken hand) and Bill Hall and neither player is known for their plate discipline. In other words, the Astros plate production continues to be an ongoing concern. Plus the pitching rotation certainly is not loaded with consistent performers.

Milwaukee Brewers: Here is a team poised for a quick ascent in the standings. After winning just 75 games last season, this club should challenge for the division title. The Brewers added Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke to solidify the rotation and Greinke will be back soon enough from his rib injury. Also we like the added punch in the lineup via the addition of shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt. Also, John Axford as the closer should help settle that position down after the struggles there with the decline of the now retired (finally) Trevor Hoffman. Milwaukee has made the necessary moves to make a run at this division and we expect a big year from Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun.

Pittsburgh Pirates: For most teams, spring is a time of year for eternal hope as a new season approaches. However, the Pirates are another story. Seemingly forever mired in the basement of their division, the 2011 season doesn't offer much hope for changing that. Having a new manager, Clint Hurdle, will help. However, the Pirates just don't have the pitching to get above the 65 range in wins. Maybe 70 wins if all falls into place but that's asking a lot with this pitching rotation. Already, southpaw Scott Olsen is hurt. The Pirates sticks have some promise this season and they should improve there but the pitching situation again looks dreadful. That said, this could be a good team for betting "overs" if the sticks improve as I expect them to with another last place finish in the team ERA department quite likely!

St. Louis Cardinals: With Adam Wainwright's injury (Tommy John surgery), the Cards hopes for this season took a major hit. He's so important to this team's rotation and now the Cards sticks will really have to step up. That said, are guys like Ryan Theriot and Lance Berkman really the answer? Berkman hasn't been a full time outfielder since the '04 season! This lineup is still potent but losing a No. 1 starter, Wainwright, is a major blow to this pitching staff. The Cards are now unlikely to reach last season's win total of 86 victories.