[ThePundit]

1. Pirates - I really don't see why not. I like their young pitchers and they have really improved their lineup. Nothing in this division would surprise me. Lots of parity here.

2. Cardinals - Shouldn't have let Matt Morris walk. Marquis, Suppan and Ponson are the back 3 in the rotation? Uch.

3. Reds - I love the Acquistion of Arroyo. I also like Dave Williams. Harang is solid. Eric Milton? Batting practice. The wild card here is Claussen. If he's good, they'll finish higher.

4. Astros - Since The Rocket is nowhere to be found, this is as high as I can pick them. Oswalt is awesome. But Petitte's elbow is due to blow out and the rest? Backe, Rodriguez and Astacio - Eek!! If Clemens comes back by May 1st, move them up a notch or two.

5. Cubs - Prior and Wood hurt already. What a disaster.

6. Brew Crew - They have one really solid pitcher.

[BigBadBuc]

Wow Pundit,

BBB is extremely flattered but that is way over the top. If this does happen, I will follow all of your predictions and elimnate all other prognosticators.

I actually see the Bucs best at third place but you never know.

BBB

[Lefty Noob]

Brewers won't be in the cellar. They have too much young talent for that. I actually see both them and the Bucs competing in the top half of this division, along with the Cards. Cubs could be good if they ever get healthy, and the Cards are always tough too. Those are your top four teams, although I'm not certain in what order. Reds are lousy, and the Astros are fading fast.

[MVB]

Cards will be dominate once more.....

[legend]

Cardinals- Someone has to be offered up to the American league winner
Brewers- Fielder is a Prince
Astros- Houston, we have many problems
Cubs- Stinkers to Nevers to don't have a Chance
Pirates- Walk the plank
Reds- I told you not to play in the cellar

[desertrat]

1) Cardinals
2) Reds
3) Astros
4) Pirates
5) Brewers
6) Cubs

[pete_b]

Cards
Astros
Pirates
Cubs
Reds
Brews

[EmpireWF]

Cardinals-Although they won't be as dominant as in year's past
Brewers-I love what they've done
Astros-Clemens retiring will doom them
Cubs
Pirates
Reds

[Wizard of Os]

All right, i'll take a shot.

1. Cubs -- this year, they fly under the radar. All the phenoms come through and the Decade of the Loser Winning (TB Bucs, Seattle Seahawks, Patriots, ChiSox, Red Sox, etc. etc.) continues.

2. Cardinals -- Still so much talent...

3. Astros -- Age (and concomitant retirements) hurt.

4-6. Brewers, Pirates, Reds -- but is there really a huge difference between four and six here?

Cheers.

[Lefty Noob]

There is no chance in hell that the Astros finish ahead of the Brewers this year. None.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

There is no chance in hell that the Astros finish ahead of the Brewers this year. None.

???...Okay...let the "Frost Watch in Hell" begin... ...I like the young Brew Crew, but I still think the Astros have a little more in the tank Clemens or no Clemens...

[Lefty Noob]

Man, no love for the Bucs from the NY papers.

8. It's already NFL season in Pittsburgh.

The last time the Pittsburgh Pirates were any good, Bonds was skinny. The window on those Pirates teams of the early 1990s slammed shut with the defections of Bonds, Bobby Bonilla and Doug Drabek. The last time the Pirates had a winning season was in 1992, which was also the same year Milwaukee last had a winning season. The Brewers, with some good young pitching, improved by 14 games last year to finish at .500, and the expectations are high for a winning season. Not so for the Pirates, who despite new manager Jim Tracy's words of optimism, can't be expected to improve 15 games on last summer's 67 victories. The Steelers won the Super Bowl, what more do those people want?

Source: John Delcos, The Journal News

Wouldn't it be so nice if the Bucs finished with a better record than his Mets?