Originally Posted by
Scrap Irony
Washington, IMO, is the team to beat.
Their starting staff is just as good (better?) than our own. They're just now getting completely healthy and have above average bats available at every position. While an OF of Werth, Morse, and Harper in the OF won't win many Gold Gloves, it's offensively superior to anything the Reds can put out there. Add LaRoche and Zimmerman, and the offense is outstanding.
The Nat 'pen is more than solid (though not as good as Cincinnati's), with Storen and company, not to mention either Detweiler or Zimmerman ready as a starter-turned-high-leverage-bullpen-arm ready for whatever's needed.
Having said that, the upside of Latos, Cueto, and Bailey give me hope. Latos seems like a big-game pitcher. Cueto's nails, and, IMO, among the best the National League has to offer. If Bailey takes that October step up that his ceiling suggests is possible, the Reds-- with a pen that's shut-down good from the seventh on, can cause some serious problems.
The concern, obviously, is the offense. I think Ludwick can do it. Rolen's found some sort of Way-Back machine-- perhaps he can keep it up in the playoffs. Votto is Votto. Phillips should be okay. The key, IMO, is either Bruce or Stubbs. If one of them gets super hot, Cincinnati can play with anyone.
But, IMO, it'll take a Bruce or Stubbs (maybe Frazier or Hesiey as well) getting hot to win the NL Pennant.