Colorado Rockies: Sizing up the rest of the National League

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National League Central

Pittsburgh Pirates

Let’s go back to Pennsylvania, as I think we need to stop by Primanti Brothers and PNC Park. Who would’ve thought that the Pittsburgh Pirates would be 5-1 and in first place. This is a team that had given all of us plenty of evidence that they would be tanking this year. Away went Andrew McCutchen, who was the face of the team, and Gerrit Cole also went away as he joined the World Series Champion Astros.

They lost the face and the ace, and it appears that even their own players, like veteran David Freese, can see there’s not the desire for a championship. So, this team is entering a serious rebuilding phase. For how long? I have no clue though it’ll probably be 2+ years before they get taken seriously again.

Milwaukee Brewers

I’ve gotta pick up a cheese platter so let’s make our way out to Wisconsin and catch up with the Milwaukee Brewers. I’ll just go ahead and say it, this team is a threat to Wild Card contenders. GM David Stearns wasted no time whatsoever in going out and getting what they need.

They now have Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich to add to an already formidable team that only finished one game back of the Rockies for the second wild card spot. I think the only thing to not be too concerned about with the Brewers is there starting rotation, as they lost their ace due to surgery and have to find someone who can take Jimmy Nelson‘s place. The Brewers are currently 4-3, good enough for 2nd place in the division and they should be taken very seriously this year. Like the Colorado Rockies, do not underestimate this team.