NL Central Archives | Baseball Essential

The Chicago Cubs are in Competitive Stagnation

Jun 9, 2020

Chicago Cubs, Major League Baseball, Opinions & Predictions

The 2020 Chicago Cubs are your classic example of a team relying on a proven core in its prime to spark a bounce-back season. The likelihood of that desired outcome? Faint, and it's because the Cubs are in comp...

National League Central X factors for 2020

Robbie Stratakos

Mar 18, 2020

Major League Baseball, National League Central, Opinions & Predictions

What players can move the needle for their respective teams in the 2020 Major League Baseball season? Here are X factors for every team in the National League Central. St. Louis Cardinals: Harrison Bader The ...

The St. Louis Cardinals are the Most Dangerous Team in the National League Playoff Race

Robbie Stratakos

Sep 9, 2019

Major League Baseball, Opinions & Predictions, St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have underperformed and don't have a standout aspect of their ballclub, yet they're 81-62 and hold a four and a half-game lead on the Chicago Cubs for first place in the National League ...

Recent Transactions Show Brewers’ Long-Term Organizational Vision, Quest for Success

Tom Dorsa

Sep 1, 2019

Major League Baseball, Milwaukee Brewers, Opinions & Predictions

Often in postseason races, teams will become prisoners of the moment and lack the vision and mental resolve to navigate the short-term and long-term future of the organization. Few clubs, and almost always the ...

A Lack of Consistent Supplementary Hitting is Hindering the Chicago Cubs Offense

Robbie Stratakos

Aug 30, 2019

Chicago Cubs, Opinions & Predictions

The Chicago Cubs have one of the most proven offenses in Major League Baseball, but this season they've been a far cry from their old selves; it derives from a lack of consistent supplementary offense. The h...

The Chicago Cubs Starting Rotation is Running Out of Gas

Robbie Stratakos

Jul 3, 2019

Chicago Cubs, Opinions & Predictions

For the longest time, the Chicago Cubs have sported a sturdy starting rotation, regarded as one of the best in Major League Baseball; it's now running out of gas. Going into the regular season, the Cubs' qui...

Cincinnati Reds: A Team on the Rise in the Wrong Division

Robbie Stratakos

Jun 11, 2019

Cincinnati Reds, National League Central, Opinions & Predictions

The Cincinnati Reds have hope, something they've been devoid of for the bulk of the current decade. Unfortunately for the Reds, the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, and St. Louis Cardinals are in their division...

The Milwaukee Brewers Should Trade for Marcus Stroman

Robbie Stratakos

Jun 9, 2019

Major League Baseball, Milwaukee Brewers, Opinions & Predictions

It's nice to have a deep bullpen and electric offense, but if you don't have reliable and consistent starting pitching -- or at least two starters who check off those boxes -- you're not going to win the World ...

Pittsburgh Pirates First Baseman Josh Bell Is Enjoying A Breakout Year

Quinn Allen

May 28, 2019

Headlines, Pittsburgh Pirates, Statistics

Prior to 2019, Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell had been an underwhelming big-leaguer. As a second-round Major League Baseball Draft pick in 2011, a lot more was expected from Bell once he reached the...

The St. Louis Cardinals Have to Right the Ship Internally, There’s No Outside Savior

Robbie Stratakos

May 21, 2019

Opinions & Predictions, St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals' slow start is the most overlooked part of the young 2019 Major League Baseball season. They're 24-23, in fourth place in the National League Central, are playing with inconsistency, and...

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