{"id":215957,"date":"2021-03-31T23:00:18","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T20:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/nolan-arenado-can-push-cardinals-atop-nl-central\/"},"modified":"2021-03-31T23:00:18","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T20:00:18","slug":"nolan-arenado-can-push-cardinals-atop-nl-central","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/nolan-arenado-can-push-cardinals-atop-nl-central\/","title":{"rendered":"#Nolan Arenado can push Cardinals atop NL Central"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3dcaee8771e\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3dcaee8771e\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/nolan-arenado-can-push-cardinals-atop-nl-central\/#1_St_Louis_Cardinals\" >1. St. Louis Cardinals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/nolan-arenado-can-push-cardinals-atop-nl-central\/#2_Milwaukee_Brewers\" >2. Milwaukee Brewers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/nolan-arenado-can-push-cardinals-atop-nl-central\/#3_Chicago_Cubs\" >3. Chicago Cubs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/nolan-arenado-can-push-cardinals-atop-nl-central\/#4_Cincinnati_Reds\" >4. Cincinnati Reds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/nolan-arenado-can-push-cardinals-atop-nl-central\/#5_Pittsburgh_Pirates\" >5. Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;<strong>#Nolan Arenado can push Cardinals atop NL Central<\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><em>The Post\u2019s Greg Joyce previews the NL Central.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_St_Louis_Cardinals\"><\/span>1. St. Louis Cardinals<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>O\/U wins<\/strong>: 86.5<\/p>\n<p><strong>Key player<\/strong>: Nolan Arenado. The Cardinals <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>eared to fleece the Rockies in February when they traded for the stud third baseman without giving up any of their top prospects and even getting some money back in return. Now it\u2019s up to Arenado to play up to his hefty contract and give the Cardinals a jolt with a bounce-back season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Player who\u2019ll need to step up<\/strong>: Jack Flaherty is the Cardinals\u2019 ace, but took a step back last year in the shortened season. If the right-hander gets back to his 2019 form, he\u2019ll be the rotation anchor they need.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Name you\u2019ll get to know<\/strong>: Dylan Carlson had a pair of stints in St. Louis last season, struggling in the first (23 <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">game<\/a>s) before hitting his stride in the second (12 games) \u2014 to the point where he was batting cleanup in their playoff <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/watch-movies-tv-seriess\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Watch Movies &amp; TV Series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">series<\/a>. The outfielder seems poised to break out with an extended shot this season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Biggest question mark<\/strong>: How dependable is the rotation behind Flaherty? The Cardinals brought back 39-year-old Adam Wainwright, but Carlos Martinez has durability concerns and Miles Mikolas and Kwang Hyun Kim are sidelined coming out of spring training.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How it\u2019ll go down<\/strong>: The NL Central appears to be open for the taking, but the Cardinals may have the best pieces in place to make a run for it. A mix of veterans (Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, Wainwright, Yadier Molina) who can still bring it and young talent (Flaherty, Carlson) make for a promising season in St. Louis. If the Cardinals can solidify the rotation and get flame-throwing closer Jordan Hicks back to his pre-Tommy John surgery form, they could be back on top of the division.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" alt=\"Nolan Arenado\" class=\"wp-image-17708494 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/03\/Nolan-Arenado.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/03\/Nolan-Arenado.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/03\/Nolan-Arenado.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/03\/Nolan-Arenado.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/03\/Nolan-Arenado.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2000 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Nolan Arenado <\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Milwaukee_Brewers\"><\/span>2. Milwaukee Brewers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>O\/U wins: 83.5<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Key player<\/strong>: After being the NL MVP in 2018 and runner-up in 2019, Christian Yelich had a 2020 to forget, batting just .205 with an 111 OPS-plus. If the 162-game season in 2021 allows him to get back to being himself, the Brewers can make a run for the division.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Player who\u2019ll need to step up<\/strong>: Keston Hiura. The one-time top prospect will be moving from second base to first base to make room for free-agent signing Kolten Wong. But it\u2019s Hiura\u2019s swing that made him an alluring prospect and he\u2019ll be looking to get it back after batting just .212 with an 88 OPS-plus and 80 strikeouts in 59 games last year.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Name you\u2019ll get to know<\/strong>: The Brewers acquired middle infielder Luis Urias from the Padres in 2019, and while he has struggled to get consistent playing time, he is a former top prospect who hit .308 in the minors and is still only 23. He\u2019s fighting to win the shortstop job and live up to his prospect status.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Biggest question mark<\/strong>: What will the Brewers get from Lorenzo Cain upon his return from opting out of last season for COVID-19 concerns? It\u2019s also a crowded outfield after the Brewers signed Jackie Bradley Jr. late to put him in the mix with Yelich and Avisail Garcia.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How it\u2019ll go down<\/strong>: Craig Counsell has managed the Brewers to the postseason in three straight years and they could make it four if their deep pitching staff lives up to its potential. The rotation may not have an established ace, though Brandon Woodruff could be on his way there and Corbin Burnes flashed it last season. Josh Hader and NL Rookie of the Year Devin Williams lead what could be one of the league\u2019s top bullpens. It\u2019ll take some bounce-back performances from the Brewers\u2019 big hitters to make them a factor down the stretch.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Chicago_Cubs\"><\/span>3. Chicago Cubs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>O\/U wins: 78.5<\/p>\n<p><strong>Key player<\/strong>: There was plenty of speculation over the offseason about a trade including Kris Bryant, but the Cubs hung on to their former MVP third baseman \u2014 for now, at least. While a deal may loom over his season, he\u2019ll be trying to get back on track after a rough 2020.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Player who\u2019ll need to step up<\/strong>: Javier Baez. Not only is the shortstop another Cub trying to put together a bounce-back season, after hitting .203 with a paltry 59 OPS-plus last year, he\u2019s another pending free agent at a position that could be loaded with talent next offseason.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Name you\u2019ll get to know<\/strong>: Adbert Alzolay. The right-handed pitching prospect earned the fifth starter spot after posting a 2.95 ERA in six appearances last season.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-nypost-medium-post\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"322\" height=\"483\" alt=\"Kris Bryant\" class=\"wp-image-17708505 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/03\/Kris-Bryant.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/03\/Kris-Bryant.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/03\/Kris-Bryant.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/03\/Kris-Bryant.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=322 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/03\/Kris-Bryant.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=644 644w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 322px\"\/><figcaption>Kris Bryant<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Biggest question mark<\/strong>: How do the Cubs handle the uncertainty surrounding the future of their core? Trade speculation will follow them into the season, especially if they get off to a slow start.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How it\u2019ll go down<\/strong>: The Cubs didn\u2019t go full teardown this past offseason \u2014 instead settling for trading Yu Darvish, non-tendering Kyle Schwarber and letting Jon Lester leave \u2014 though that possibility still lingers for the 2016 champs, with Anthony Rizzo, Bryant and Baez all entering walk years. And yet, the Cubs still have a shot to make some noise this year in a mediocre division, especially if those three pending free agents get their groove back, Ian Happ and Joc Pederson step up in the outfield and the rotation solidifies. If not, the Cubs could be in sell mode by the summer.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Cincinnati_Reds\"><\/span>4. Cincinnati Reds<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>O\/U wins: 81.5<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Key player<\/strong>: With Trevor Bauer off to Los Angeles, it\u2019s officially Luis Castillo\u2019s rotation. While he was mentioned in offseason trade speculation, for now he\u2019s the young ace of the staff and looking to build on the 3.35 ERA he has registered over the past two seasons.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Player who\u2019ll need to step up<\/strong>: Nick Senzel. It\u2019s time for the center fielder to show why he was the No. 2-overall draft pick in 2016. He did it in the minors but has struggled to stay healthy in the big leagues, which has kept his bat from making a major impact in the Reds lineup.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Name you\u2019ll get to know<\/strong>: Another high draft pick, Jonathan India (No. 5-overall in 2018), reached Double-A in 2019. Now the infielder appears set to break camp as the starting second baseman, with his bat and on-base skills forcing the issue.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Biggest question mark<\/strong>: Early in camp, Joey Votto said he wanted to \u201cget back to being dangerous.\u201d But can the 37-year-old get there? A bout with COVID-19 during spring training won\u2019t help, putting his status for Opening Day in question.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How it\u2019ll go down<\/strong>: The Reds made the expanded playoff field last season, but won\u2019t have Bauer to help in that pursuit this season. Another strong season from Sonny Gray, if he\u2019s able to shake off the back issues that bothered him during camp, would go a long way to softening the blow. In the lineup, the Reds are counting on veterans like Votto, Nick Castellanos and Mike Moustakas (who may be returning to his natural spot at third base) to be better than they were last season, while hoping that their young talent rises to the occasion. It seems like a risky proposition.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Pittsburgh_Pirates\"><\/span>5. Pittsburgh Pirates<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>O\/U wins<\/strong>: 58.5<\/p>\n<p><strong>Key player<\/strong>: Ke\u2019Bryan Hayes represents hope for the future in Pittsburgh. The third baseman was called up last season and shined in 24 games, batting .376 with a 202 OPS-plus. Now he\u2019ll get to see what he can do in a full season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Player who\u2019ll need to step up<\/strong>: It was only a few years ago that Gregory Polanco looked like a rising star in Pittsburgh. Then he had a disappointing 2019 marred by injuries, followed by a brutal 2020 in which he hit .153 with a 45 OPS-plus. If he\u2019s going to turn it around, this would be the year to do it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Name you\u2019ll get to know<\/strong>: Anthony Alford. The 26-year-old outfielder was once a top-100 prospect but never put it together in a few brief opportunities with the Blue Jays. Now he gets what could be his best chance at real playing time with the Pirates, looking to take advantage.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Biggest question mark<\/strong>: What kind of strides will Mitch Keller take? The right-hander arrived in 2019 and struggled, then posted a 2.91 ERA over five starts last season while having command issues. If he can settle in over the course of the season with some experience under his belt, he could break out as the staff ace.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How it\u2019ll go down<\/strong>: It\u2019s looking like it could be another long season in Pittsburgh. There are a few core pieces beginning to emerge, but not nearly enough to make any real noise. Instead, this season figures to be about letting the Pirates\u2019 young players develop while GM Ben Cherington\u2019s rebuild continues.\n            <\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2021\/03\/31\/2021-mlb-predictions-nolan-arenado-can-push-cardinals-atop-nl-central\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#Nolan Arenado can push Cardinals atop NL Central&#8221; The Post\u2019s Greg Joyce previews the NL Central. 1. St. Louis Cardinals O\/U wins: 86.5 Key player: Nolan Arenado. The Cardinals appeared to fleece the Rockies in February when they traded for the stud third baseman without giving up any of their top prospects and even getting&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":215958,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/03\/Nolan-Arenado.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[100195,70807,72864,72904,100208,97677,90606,73046],"class_list":["post-215957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-3-31-21","tag-chicago-cubs","tag-cincinnati-reds","tag-milwaukee-brewers","tag-mlb-preview-2021","tag-nolan-arenado","tag-pittsburgh-pirates","tag-st-louis-cardinals"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215957","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=215957"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215957\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/215958"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=215957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=215957"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=215957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}