NL Central Power Rankings (Week 1)

After the first week in the NL Central, here are is how I think the teams stack up. 

1. St. Louis Cardinals (5-2) - Chris Carpenter's start alone really made this week a success for the Cardinals. I would argue if they hadn't won a game besides Carpenter's and he had pitched that well, it still would have been relatively successful. Kyle Lohse's complete game yesterday was simply icing on the cake. There are clearly bullpen issues, but which team in the division doesn't have them? 

2. Chicago Cubs (4-2) - Despite the solid road trip in terms of wins, there were a lot of things to cause concern for this week. Milton Bradley got nicked up. The lack of infield depth is already being tested with a gimpy Aramis Ramirez. Kevin Gregg (closer) and Neal Cotts (only lefty) look terrible out of the bullpen. Derrek Lee doesn't look anything like a 3 hitter should. However, the starting pitching was pretty good and Alfonso Soriano looks like an MVP. So does Fukudome in his own diminished way. 

3. Cincinnati Reds (2-3) - A good week for Aaron Harang (including that great CG yesterday), really should have Reds fans feeling good. Clearly Volquez needs to rebound this week from a bad start against the Mets, but he did only give up 4 runs to a good lineup. Joey Votto is off to a scalding start, and once they  can get the speed with Hairston and Taveras back in the lineup, it will be solid. 

4. Pittsburgh Pirates (4-3)  - I know they have more wins than the Reds and took a series on the road from them, but the Reds simply are deeper and more talented. However, the Pirates stayed competitive against the Cardinals in St. Louis, and Nyger Morgan looks like he could be a legitimate major league leadoff hitter. With him, McLouth, and Ryan Doumit, the Pirates have some nice pieces in their lineup. However, a good team would have those guys complementing one or two star hitters.

5. Milwaukee Brewers (2-4) - On Sunday Night Baseball, Jon Miller (or it might have been one of the other two) made a comment on how without Sheets and Sabathia, Braun and Fielder will have to outhit the production they lose from the two star pitchers. Sheets and Sabathia combined for 24 wins last year, and just think of what that equates to at the plate. I just don't think it is possible, but it is only the first week. 

6. Houston Astros (1-5) - This team is too old, and though they had their chances against the Cubs in the opening series, they just didn't show up in St. Louis. Lance Berkman is off to a really slow start, and this lineup just can not survive that.