Page 14 - CityScape Cincinnati April 2013

seriously contending, although they
are starting to build up quite a
pipeline of burgeoning young stars

in pitcher Jeff Samardzjia, SS Starlin
Castro, and minor leaguers Jorge

Soler, Javier Baez, and Albert
Almora. In addition, two of the
players the Reds traded for Sean

Marshall should also play
contributing roles for the Cubs this

year in pitcher Travis Wood and OF
Dave Sappelt. Still though, the
Cubbies should continue their

streak of futility (which has now

lasted 105 years) in 2013, although
they should not be written off in

subsequent years.

On paper it looks like the NL Central

should be a two-team race in 2013
between the Reds and the Cardinals.
However, there should be a sense of

urgency to compete and win now, as
once-proud franchises like the Pirates

and Cubs seem to be doing all the right
things to line their teams up to
contend in 2014 and 2015. In the

Pirates case, that contention could
even come a year early. That said, the

Reds should certainly be the favorites
to repeat as champions, and here’s to
hoping they can advance further than

they have in recent years once the
postseason arrives. CsC