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Baseball season is just around the corner and TSN.ca has you covered for whos in, whos out and what to expect from all 30 teams. Check in every day this week for two new division previews, finishing up with Scott MacArthurs look at the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. Heres what to expect out of the National League Central in 2014. Chicago Cubs GM: Jed Hoyer Manager: Rick Renteria 2013: 66-96, fifth in AL Central. Did not qualify for playoffs. That was Then: 2013 capped the worst two-year stretch in the North Siders 137-year history and cost Dale Sveum his job. Nobody was expecting the Cubs to be world-beaters last season, but regression was certainly not believed to be in the cards for some of the teams better players. This was epitomized in the season of shortstop Starlin Castro. Once viewed as a cornerstone of the franchise, Castro was given a seven-year extension in the summer of 2012 and proceeded to have a miserable 2013, hitting a career-low .245/.284/.347 with only 45 RBI. First baseman Anthony Rizzo was simply too streaky and average at best, but the Cubs still love his upside. On the mound, the four-year, $52 million deal given to Edwin Jackson paid no early dividends. Though, he was better in the second-half, the signing already seems like a mistake. After a breakthrough 2012, former Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzija took a step back in 2013 and has been the focus of trade talks since last years deadline. The bullpen was simply miserable, third-worst in the NL, with a staggering 26 blown saves. This is Now: There will be improvement at Wrigley in 2014, but it will be a modest one. Former San Diego Padres bench coach Rick Renteria has been handed the managerial reins, knowing Hoyer from his days in San Diego, and will be given time to work with his very young team. The team expects Rizzo to bounce back and are high on Mike Olt, acquired from the Texas Rangers last season in the Matt Garza deal. Once hampered by vision problems since a concussion in 2012, Olt is healthy outside of some shoulder soreness in spring training. A top-25 prospect prior to the 2013 season, Olt isnt expected to usurp third base from Luis Valbuena, but could force himself into the conversation at the very least. Top prospect Javier Baez isnt ready to go in 2014, so Castro will be afforded the opportunity to prove that 2013 was a blip on the radar and not indicative of a downward trend. After Scott Feldman, traded at the deadline to the Baltimore Orioles for Pedro Strop and Jake Arrieta, proved to be a fine reclamation project, the Cubs hope to have another in Jason Hammel. If the 32-year-old can shake off the nagging elbow injuries that hampered his 2013 and return to the form from the previous season, the Cubs may be able to parlay his cheap, one-year deal into a Feldmanesque haul. The bullpen shouldnt be as porous as last season, either. Both Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg, responsible for most of those blown saves, are gone and Jose Veras is a much more reliable stopper. Whos In?: SP Jason Hammel (one-year deal), RP Jose Veras (one-year deal), OF Justin Ruggiano (acquired from MIA), IF Emilio Bonifacio (minor-year deal) and RP Wesley Wright (one-year deal). Whos Out?: C Dioner Navarro (signed with TOR), RP Carlos Marmol (signed with MIA), RP Kevin Gregg (unsigned) and OF Brian Bogusevic (traded to MIA). Cincinnati Reds GM: Walt Jocketty Manager: Bryan Price 2013: 90-72, third in NL Central. Lost to Pittsburgh in National League Wild Card Game. That was Then: The Reds made the playoffs for back-to-back years for the first time since 1994-95, thanks to sterling performances both at the plate and on the mound. Led by career production years from Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips and another solid season from Etobicoke, Ontarios Joey Votto, who led the National League with a .435 OBP, the team scored 698 runs, good for third in the NL and had a +109 run differential, also good for third in the Senior Circuit. The rotation, led by Mat Latos and Homer Bailey, posted a 3.38 ERA, third-best in the NL and was able to offset the loss of Johnny Cueto, who made three trips to the disabled list in 2013 and was virtually shut down in the second-half. Aroldis Chapman anchored an efficient bullpen with 38 saves. Still, the season ended sourly with the Wild Card loss to the divisional rival Pirates. Cueto, just returning to health, was tagged in the loss. And even with Phillipss record RBI haul of 103, the multiple time All-Star and Golden Glover posted career lows in average, OBP and stolen bases. This is Now: The Dusty Baker era is over. The sometimes cantankerous, sometimes controversial manager was let go after six seasons in charge in Cincinnati. Pitching coach Bryan Price takes over as the manager of a team that he is more than familiar with. Though much of the core remains for the Reds, the team will need to address a few key departures. Lead-off man Shin-Soo Choo jumped ship to the Texas Rangers. Choo was a dynamo for the Reds last season, second in the NL with 107 runs scored. His spot at the top of the order will be taken by rookie speedster Billy Hamilton. Hamilton, the new everyday centre fielder, is widely considered to be the fastest man in baseball and the fastest one in quite some time. The 23-year-old stole a ridiculous 155 bases in A-ball in 2012 and stole 75 last season for Triple-A Louisville. Las Vegas odds currently have the over/under for stolen bases in Hamiltons rookie year at 63.5. Still, the question is can Hamilton get on base to steal them and how big of a drop-off will the Reds experience from Choos production? The departure of Bronson Arroyo to the Diamondbacks has been addressed in house by Tony Cingrani, but Latoss late winter knee surgery could keep him off the mound until late in April. After that frightening line drive to the skull earlier in the month, Chapman is expected out until mid-to-late May. Former closer Jonathan Broxton will spell the flame-thrower in that role until he returns. Whos In?: C Brayan Pena (two-year deal) and IF Skip Schumaker (two-year deal with option) Whos Out?: OF Shin-Soo Choo (signed with TEX), SP Bronson Arroyo (signed with ARI) and C Ryan Hanigan (traded to TB) Milwaukee Brewers GM: Doug Melvin Manager: Ron Roenicke 2013: 74-88, fourth in NL West. Did not qualify for playoffs. That was Then: Simply put, when you win six games in a month, chances are youre not going to contend and thats just what the Brewers did last May. Going 6-22 that month effectively eliminated the team from contention early, which softened the blow of serious injuries, the whole Ryan Braun thing and finishing with their worst record in a decade. Corey Hart didnt play at all last season, blowing out one knee whilst rehabbing the other, while Mat Gamel re-tore the ACL that had him miss of all of 2012 in spring training, which made him - yep, you guessed it - miss all of 2013, as well. Braun, the 2011 NL MVP, was suspended in July for the remainder of the season (65 games) for his use of PEDs and his part in the Biogenesis scandal, something that the slugger had vehemently denied for over 18 months. Even when he did play in the first half of the season, it wasnt the same Braun. Whether or not the investigation weighed on him is debatable, but he was most certainly limited by a hand injury. On brighter notes, Carlos Gomez and Jean Segura continued to improve and both were rewarded with All-Star nods. This is Now: The Brewers are probably better than last years record indicates (they were actually above .500 after the Braun suspension), but will be in tough to compete with last years three playoff teams in the division. With last years lead-off man Norichika Aoki traded to the Kansas City Royals and Gomez slotting into that spot, left fielder Khris Davis will have the chance to play everyday. Davis impressed last season, in place of Braun, in 136 at-bats with a respectable .279, 11 HR and 27 RBI. If he can match that clip over a full season, its not far-fetched to suggest that Davis is capable of 30 home runs in 2014 on a team with considerable offensive upside. Matt Garza was the offseasons biggest acquisition and the team hopes that he can help improve the NLs fifth-worst rotation ERA and eat up some innings so that the Brewers wont turn to 12 starters like they did in 2013. Considering Garzas recent injury history, perhaps, he isnt the best suited arm for that role. As for the bullpen, the back end is solid with closer Jim Henderson, but depth could be an issue as the season goes on. Whos In?: SP Matt Garza (four-year deal) and RP Will Smith (acquired from KC) Whos Out?: IF Norichika Aoki (traded to KC), IF Yuniesky Betancourt (Japan) and RP Mike Gonzalez (unsigned) Pittsburgh Pirates GM: Neal Huntington Manager: Clint Hurdle 2013: 94-68, second in NL Central. Lost to St. Louis in National League Divisional Series. That was Then: The Bucs made the post-season for the first time since 1992 and it was well deserved. Led by 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchens .317, 21 HR, 84 RBI, 27 SB and .911 OPS line, the Pirates got career years from key players and were the surprise of the baseball world. Pedro Alvarez would shared the NL lead in home runs with 36. Starling Marte posted 41 stolen bases in his first full year in the Bigs. Neil Walker contributed at the plate and with his glove. Russell Martin chipped in offensively and ably called games behind the plates. On the mound, the team conceded the second-fewest runs in the NL. A.J. Burnetts late resurgence continued, becoming the first-ever Pirates right-hander to record 200+ strike-outs in a single season. Francisco Lirianos transition over to the National League was a successful one, notching 16 wins with a 3.02 ERA Gerrit Cole starred in his rookie season, especially down the stretch with a 4-0 month of September. Mark Melancon ate innings out of the bullpen, struck out 70 in 71.0 IP with a 1.39 ERA and was rewarded with an All-Star appearance. Jason Grilli, aging like a fine wine, was a reliable stopper. Outside of an injury to Wandy Rodriguez, almost everything went right for the Pirates in 2013 and the team was MLBs feel-good story of 2013. This is Now: Can this team build on last years success? Thats the biggest question facing the Pirates in 2014 and the only question that matters. Considering this is almost the same team that excelled last season, the Bucs should continue to trend upwards, but they certainly will no longer take anybody by surprise. The old adage goes that you dont fix what aint broke and that holds true for the Pirates for the most part, but there were a couple of places that could have been upgraded upon in the offseason that werent. Right fielder Travis Snider had a poor 2013, his first full year with the Pirates, and he hasnt given any reason for optimism for 2014. Gaby Sanchez is easily the poorest first baseman in the division and the Bucs really dont have anybody to push him. Burnetts loss will definitely be felt, but Rodriguez is once again healthy and will help pick up the slack. Edinson Volquez, whos far from the dominant Reds starter of five years ago, has been hammered in spring training, yet the Pirates are confident that theres something left here and seem committed to this reclamation project. Whos In?: SP Edinson Volquez (one-year deal) and C Chris Stewart (acquired from NYY) Whos Out?: SP A.J. Burnett (signed with PHI), 1B Justin Morneau (signed with COL), OF Marlon Byrd (signed with PHI), C John Buck (signed with SEA) and 1B/OF Garrett Jones (signed with MIA). St. Louis Cardinals GM: John Mozeliak Manager: Mike Matheny 2013: 97-65, first in NL Central. Lost to Boston in World Series. That was Then: You can hardly call a National League pennant and a World Series berth disappointing, but thats how the Cards felt about how last season ended. Leading the World Series 2-1 and then dropping three-straight to go out in six games leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Still, the Cardinals were the class of the National League in 2013, holding off the surging Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in the Senior Circuit and then beating them for the pennant. There was a lot to like about last years Cards. Yadier Molina, while perhaps not having the season he did the year before, once again staked his claim to being the best catcher in the MLB with another fine season at the plate and calling games behind it. Matt Holliday was his consistent self, eclipsing the 20-home run mark for the eighth time in his career. Carlos Beltran refused to age, hitting 20-plus home runs and knocking in 80-plus RBI both for the 11th time in his 16 years in the Bigs. The unheralded Matt Carpenter took the NL by surprise to lead the league in hits (199), doubles (55) and runs (126). From the hill, Adam Wainwright had his best ever season, matching his career total in wins (19) and complete games (five), while setting a personal best with 241.0 innings pitched (most in the MLB in 2013). The towering Michael Wacha was a revelation in his rookie season. Though his regular season stats were respectable (4-1 with a 2.78 ERA and a 1.1 WHIP), he was dominant in the post-season, going 4-1 with a 2.64 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP, winning the NLCS MVP. The Cards were good, very good, but just not good enough for a team that holds itself to the highest possible standard in baseball. This is Now: Only two games away from a World Series title last year, this is arguably a superior Cardinals team and one that could be on track for glory in October. The loss of Beltran to the Yankees will certainly hurt, but the acquisitions of Jhonny Peralta and Peter Bourjos will help offset the loss. Peralta can be counted on to eat up most, perhaps not all, of Beltrans run production, while Bourjoss noted speed gives the team a base-stealing threat at the top of the order. Mark Ellis is a dependable veteran off the bench or can spell middle infielders if the need should arise. Though sent to their minor-league camp earlier this month, it would be a shock if top prospect Oscar Tavares, often favourably compared to Vladimir Guerrero, doesnt make his presence felt at some point during the 2014 season. The pitching staff is virtually unchanged from last years postseason with Jaime Garcia likely out for most of the year, but the concern here will be to ensure that none of the teams inning-eating starters tires too soon or gets overworked too quickly. Long reliever Jason Motte is the only injury concern in the bullpen, but he should be back by late May. Whos In?: 3B Jhonny Peralta (four-year deal), OF Peter Bourjos (acquired from LAA), IF Mark Ellis (one-year deal) Whos Out?: OF Carlos Beltran (signed with NYY), RP John Axford (signed with CLE), 3B David Freese (traded to LAA) and RP Jake Westbrook (retired). Cheap Jimmie Foxx Jersey . Perhaps their first trip to the city of Winnipeg in 16 years can serve as the shakeup they need. Cheap Wade Boggs Jersey . -- J.R. Sweezy was the one part of the Seattle Seahawks offensive line that had avoided injuries or having to change positions this season. http://www.cheapredsoxjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-nomar-garciaparra-jersey . -- Top-ranked Stacy Lewis birdied the last three holes and five of the final six Thursday for an 8-under 64 and a share of the lead with Mi Jung Hur in the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic. Cheap David Ortiz Jersey . His stated reason for abruptly resigning as head coach of Canadas Olympic womens hockey team was he felt there were doubts about his ability to coach the team to Olympic gold in February. Cheap Red Sox Jerseys Authentic . Leverkusen said on Friday it signed Schmidt on a two-year contract. He guided Red Bull Salzburg to the Austrian championship this season.PHILADELPHIA -- Buddy Carlyle had a memorable return to the big leagues. Now, he and his New York Mets teammates would like to get some rest. David Wright had an RBI single with two outs in the 14th inning and Carlyle, who was called up as an emergency arm prior to the game, tossed three scoreless extra innings to lead the Mets to a 5-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in the second straight marathon game between the teams. New York needed 5 hours, 32 minutes to win this one after losing to the Phillies 6-5 in a 14-inning game Friday night that took 5:23 to complete. "It feels good just coming back," said Carlyle, who has spent the majority of his 16-year professional career in the minor leagues. "Its a lot of work to get back. I wasnt sure if Id get another opportunity to play at the major league (level). It just feels good to contribute." Carlyle (1-0) last pitched in the major leagues in 2011 and last earned a victory on June 25, 2008. He was in El Paso, Texas on Friday night pitching for the Mets Triple-A Las Vegas club when he received a call at 11 oclock summoning him to Philadelphia after New York used eight pitchers on Friday. The right-hander said he slept "maybe a couple of hours" before boarding a 6 a.m. flight, arriving at Citizens Bank Park at 2:30 for the 3:05 scheduled first pitch. The Phillies and Mets have played 37 innings in three games with two more still to play in the rare five-game series. The Mets went without a hit in extra innings until Wrights knock off Antonio Bastardo (3-3). Bastardo walked Ruben Tejada to start the 14th, and Tejada went to second on Juan Lagares sacrifice bunt. After Daniel Murphy popped out, Wright lined a single to left to score Tejada. "David Wright was in a big spot and got a big hit," Mets manager Terry Collins said. Carlos Torres worked out of a jam in the bottom of the 14th to earn his second save in three chances. The Phillies put runners on first and second with no outs, but Torres struck out Ben Revere, got Jimmy Rollins to pop out and struck out Chase Utley. "The only thing we know is we won, dont ask me how," Collins joked. "There are a lot of tired bodies out there." Carlyle, who travelled much of Saturday just to make the game, knows he isnt the only tired one. "Probably every pitcher is just as exhausted as I am," he said. Tejada had three hits, includding a homer, with two RBIs for the Mets, who won their fourth in five games.dddddddddddd. Ryan Howard hit a three-run homer for Philadelphia, which tied the game in the ninth on Domonic Browns RBI single. Phillies reliever Jeff Manship pitched four hitless extra innings, striking out six, and wouldve come out for the 14th but he strained his right quadriceps trying to beat out a grounder in the 13th. It was the second at-bat for Manship, as Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg was limited to just one bench player and was trying to preserve Philadelphias bullpen. "I was feeling real good pitching," Manship said. "Its definitely an outing to build on, but its just frustrating the way it ended. I was going to do anything I could to get a hit there." Brown singled off Jeurys Familia, who blew his first save in his second opportunity. But then both teams had trouble generating offence. Carlyle didnt allow a hit in the 11th or 12th. Browns ninth-inning hit prevented Mets starter Jacob deGrom from earning his first career victory. DeGrom has pitched well in all four of his starts, owning a 2.42 ERA, but is 0-2. He was in line for the win after striking out 11 in 6 1-3 strong innings before Familia blew the save. The Mets were in control of the game with a 4-0 lead until Howards homer in the seventh. Bobby Abreu and Lucas Duda had RBI hits in the first to help the Mets jump to a 2-0 lead. Tejada put New York in front 3-0 with a rare show of power, clearing the fence in left for his third career homer in 1,342 career at-bats. New York tacked on a run in the sixth on Tejadas single. All of four of the Mets early runs came off Kyle Kendrick, who is 1-10 over his last 18 starts dating to Aug. 11. Kendrick allowed eight hits while striking out five and walking two. Howards homer gave him 1,000 career RBIs. He reached the milestone in 1,230 games. Curtis Granderson broke an 0 for 22 skid with a ninth-inning single. NOTES: Reid Brignac went 0 for 5 with four strikeouts. ... To make room for Carlyle, the Mets sent starter Rafael Montero to Triple-A. ... Lagares was a late scratch from the starting lineup due to a strained rib cage. Chris Young led off and started in centre in his place. ... Former Phillies right-hander Roy Oswalt threw out the ceremonial first pitch. ... Mets LHP Jonathon Niese (3-3, 2.74) opposes Phillies LHP Cole Hamels (1-3, 4.43) at 1:35 Sunday. 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