The below is a sample from here: http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/ten-things-i-didnt-know-last-week44/
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Seeing it in graph form just makes the pain worse.
On the other hand I’m making a graph of “NL Central Playoff wins”, and I’m smiling B-I-G.
I think the NL Central is mostly weak, I think the AL Central has a few good teams and they beat the snot out of each other.
It’s just the nature of sports. In 04 and 05 the cardinals racked up 205 wins, now injuries have just decimated them in 2006 and 2007 … and yet, here we are … 3 1/2 out.
IMO, the NL Central has the potential to be the stronghold of the NL in the upcoming years. Milwaukee should continue to get better. The Cubs just resigned Zambrano for 5/90M, and just need to stay healthy. St. Louis will be competetive with youth, stars, and free agents. Houston’s going to add more talent and stars as some guys retire (they have some serious stars down there, what happened to pitching being their strength?). Cinncinatti and Pittsburh will always be who they are.
Bring on the Mets.
Edit: I really have to take some points off for whoever made the graph. Don’t all sports graphs need to be color-coordinated. I mean don’t the color if the lines/plots have to be the same as the teams they represent.
Cardinals = Gold, as in World Champion Gold
Pittsburg = Black
Houston = Orange, or Burnt whatever the hell color their jerseys are
Cubs = Blue
Brewers = Navy or whatever color feces is
Reds = Uhh, Green. wink
A random AL Central though: You noticed how the Twins have been making a lot of cost cutting moves? Including sending the hapless Ramon Ortiz to Colorado for a minor leaguer? I think they are saving up their pennies to resign Torii Hunter. Just my guess.
The last few weeks of the NL Central could get really interesting. Milwaukee is fading fast, and boy has Capuano stunk this year compared to his good years past. The Cubs are in trouble, and Zambrano is now wearing a sleeve on his arm and the rumors are flying.