2025 NL Central Preview: A Tight Race Ahead (via @StatsGuru)
The NL Central looks wide open in 2025. David Pinto’s analysis ranks the Brewers and Cubs as early favorites, but could the Cardinals surprise? We break down the numbers and key storylines for the season.
The NL Central is shaping up to be one of the most competitive divisions in 2025, with no clear-cut favorite. David Pinto (@StatsGuru) from Baseball Musings analyzed each team’s core players using Runs Created per Game (RC/G) and the Pythagorean winning percentage to assess their strength. According to the projections, the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs are in a tight race for the top, with St. Louis Cardinals not far behind. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates have young talent but need key improvements to stay in contention.
The Brewers have the best projected rotation in the division, led by Nestor Cortes, Freddy Peralta, and Tobias Myers, while their offense relies on Jackson Chourio, William Contreras, and Christian Yelich. The Cubs, on the other hand, boast the best offense, especially after acquiring Kyle Tucker, the only player in the division projected to surpass 7 RC/G. The Cardinals lack a true superstar but have a balanced lineup, while their pitching staff remains a major concern. The Reds need Elly De La Cruz to improve his on-base percentage, and the Pirates must build a better supporting cast around Paul Skenes, the division’s only true ace.
This episode dives deep into the numbers, analyzing what these projections mean for the 2025 season. Who has the best shot at winning the division? Will a breakout star emerge? We break it all down and discuss the key storylines to watch.
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Baseball Musings – NL Central Preview 2025 by David Pinto