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Chicago Cubs

Projected Record: 99-63

After 108 years, the Chicago Cubs are the reigning World Series Champions. The Cubs entered last year with high expectations but this year the expectations are repeat or bust. No matter how good you were the year before and no matter how good you are coming into the season, it is a long road to the World Series. Not to mention an even longer road when you are the overwhelming favorite at +380 to win it all. The next best odds are +650. Last year the Cubs held a lead of 4 or more runs in 72 games! That is an absolutely absurd number of games. Even though they didn't make any huge additions in the off-season and lost Aroldis Chapman and Dexter Fowler to free agency, they will continue to have many more games of 4 or more run leads, just maybe not 72 this year. The Cubs could have had an even better record than their 103 wins last year had they performed better in 1-run games (22-23). The only reason my projection in wins is less than last year is because I am predicting a World Series hangover. It happens often to the reigning champs ('07 Cardinals, '09 Phillies, '11 Giants, '14 Red Sox). Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks, and John Lackey threw a lot of innings last year. The Cubs will get off to a slower start this season, but will still win the division easily. And if you have any doubt about the Cubs this year since they didn't make any move in the off-season, just remember, they get a healthy Kyle Schwarber back this season.

St. Louis Cardinals

Projected Record: 90-72

The Cardinals poached Dexter Fowler from the Cubs this past off-season, giving them a true lead-off hitter which will allow them to move Matt Carpenter down in the lineup and give him more RBI opportunities. The Cardinals were one of the worst defensive teams in baseball last year and having Fowler roam center field along with moving Randall Grichuk to left field to replace Matt Holliday, the Cardinals will instantly improve their defense as a whole. Even though Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina are getting older and are not as great as they used to be, they are still very good. Losing the Alex Reyes, the #1 pitching prospect in all of baseball according to Baseball America, will hurt the team's morale, but if we have learned anything from previous seasons, the Cardinals have a next man up mentality that continues to work. Getting Lance Lynn back into the rotation after missing all of last season due to Tommy John Surgery and if Aledmys Diaz and Stephen Piscotty can have good follow-up seasons to last year the Cardinals will find themselves back in the postseason after missing it last year.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Projected Record: 82-80

The Pirates entire season all depends on Andrew McCutchen. If he has an MVP-caliber season like he has throughout most of his career, the Pirates will contend for a Wild Card spot. However, if the Pirates get the McCutchen of 2016, the Pirates will again be middle of the road and irrelevant come September. As my projected record tells you, even though the Pirates have some really good young arms in Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow, McCutchen is the centerpiece to this team and he will repeat his performance from last year and the Pirates will continue their nonexistence from last year.

Cincinnati Reds

Projected Record: 72-90

The Reds who were once fighting year in and year out with the Cardinals and Pirates for the division are now a cellar dweller in the NL Central. The only thing Reds fans have to look forward to this year is the trade deadline. They have many players that could be targets for contenders. Scott Feldman, Zack Cozart, and Devin Mesoraco could all be coveted by playoff contenders. Will this be the year Joey Votto leaves Cincinnati? Every trade deadline his name is always mentioned but he has always finished the year on the Reds. The Reds could potentially get numerous prospects around the trade deadline this year and really start building their team for the future.

Milwaukee Brewers

Projected Record: 70-92

The Brewers are still a year or two away from competing day in and day out, but they are headed in the right direction. They have a ton of young talent, and Ryan Braun is still a productive middle piece to their lineup. Milwaukee will always entertain offers before the trade deadline for Braun, but will they ever receive what they want for him with his troubled past? If they could move Braun for a couple more prospects to add to an already young, talented, up and coming team, the Brewers will be in contention next year for a postseason spot.

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