The National League's central division appears to be the most mediocre in the major leagues heading into the 2008 season, despite producing the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals just two years ago.

Only the Cubs (85–77) and Brewers (83–79) managed winning records from baseball's six-team division last season, while the Astros, Reds and Pirates were among the worst teams in the National League.

The Astros made the biggest splash of the off-season with the addition of former AL MVP Miguel Tejada to compliment Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee and rising star Hunter Pence in the middle of their order.

The Brewers signed veteran Mike Cameron to patrol center field and bring even more pop to the Brew Crew's impressive young nucleus of talent.

Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun are two of the game's brightest young stars and with consistent production from infielders Richie Weeks,  J.J. Hardy and outfielder Corey Hart this should develop into the Central's most feared lineup.

Lou Piniella took the Cubbies to the playoffs in his first year as manager in 2007 before they were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cubs committed $48 million over four years to import Japanese superstar Kosuke Fukudome to replace Jacque Jones in right field.

Predictions

1. Milwaukee Brewers

The sky is the limit for this Brewers ballclub. Prince Fielder will again set the pace with 50 homers, and we have yet to see what Ryan Braun is capable of over an entire season.

The 1–7 spots in the batting order are filled by players with proven 20–25 homer potential, a claim that could only possibly be made by the two New York teams.

If ace Ben Sheets can stay healthy enough to steady the starting rotation, the Brewers could be a force to be reckoned with in the weaker National League when October rolls around.

2. Chicago Cubs

There is no compelling reason to believe the Cubs will improve on last year's 85–77 mark, which will not be good enough for the pennant in 2008.

While this Cubs squad does not lack individual talent (Derrek Lee, Alfonso Soriano, and Aramis Ramirez), there is reason to believe that it lacks chemistry.

Rarely did they have Lee, Soriano and Ramirez in the lineup at the same time last season, and unless the core stays healthy this season the division title won't come as easy as it did last season.

3. Houston Astros

I'm taking a gamble on the Astros pitching staff by slotting them third in the central, but the lineup general manager Ed Wade has assembled in Houston is too good to have ranked any lower.

The additions of Tejada, Kaz Matsui and Darin Erstad provide a facelift to a lineup that already included two of the most consistent power bats in the league in Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee.

The Astros will need more consistency out of young starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez and the same kind of effectiveness from Brandon Backe that he displayed in September of last season.

If Houston straighten out its rotation and develops some depth in the bullpen they are a sleeper to sneak up and win the divison crown.

4. St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals lost Scott Rolen, picked up Troy Glaus and lost Jim Edmonds. In other words, it's hard to know what to make of the Cardinals up and down off-season. 

Albert Pujols lingering issues with his elbow are obviously an area of concern for the Cards. The Cardinals would be inept offensively without Pujols, and the likelihood of him missing some time this season is reasonably high.

The flip side of the Cardinals' offensive quandaries is the strength pitching staff. With the development of Adam Wainwright and the midseason returns of Mark Mulder and Chris Carpenter the rotation could be the best in the division by season's end.

5. Cincinnati Reds

Check back next year for the Reds. The young talent is there, as is the veteran leadership, but it will take a little more time for the Reds' management to reap the fruit of their minor league stars.

Flamethrower Homer Bailey and outfielder Jay Bruce, who is regarded as one of the top prospects in all of baseball, should both make the roster out of spring training, but their impacts may not be felt for a couple of years.

Brandon Phillips established himself as a top-five second basemen last season and appears to be the cornerstone on which the Reds will be built in the next several years.

Despite a rather grim outlook for the Reds, rubber armed ace Aaron Harang could rack up enough wins to again compete for the Cy Young award.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates are finally doing things the right way. They are rebuilding the franchise from the ground up, but unfortunately the major league product will not be affected for quite some time.

Jason Bay needs to return to form after a disappointing '07 campaign to give the Pirates legitimate threat at the cleanup spot. If things get off to a poor start in Pittsburgh, Bay could easily end up finishing the season with another team.

Tom Gorzelanny and Ian Snell show promise as long-term members of the Pirates rotation.

NL Central MVP:

Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers

NL Central Cy Young:

Roy Oswalt, Houston Astros

NL Central Manager of the Year:

Ned Yost, Milwaukee Brewers