Six teams will do battle over the course of six long months stretching from spring time to the chill of fall. The end result will be one team who is able to withstand the competition best as opposed to who can dominate their opponents the most. This didn?t stop the St. Louis Cardinals from winning it all last season, but is there another St. Louis in the central for 2007? Here are the projected standings: 1. St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals don?t overwhelm you with talent, but they once again bring a solid and balanced roster into the 2007 season. First baseman Albert Pujols is the best hitter in baseball and leads a formidable middle of the order with outfielder Jim Edmonds and third baseman Scott Rolen. If second baseman David Eckstein can continue his post-season tear, it will create many RBI opportunities for the power hitters. Also, don?t forget about outfielder Chris Duncan, who has the ability to slide into the clean-up spot this season and help usher in a new generation for the Cardinals. The staff is also in great hands with ace Chris Carpenter, but Adam Wainwright could be the most important player on this team. He did a great job of closing last season and if he can carry the success to the beginning of the games, it will put the Cardinals in great shape to win the division and make a run at defending their title. 2. Chicago Cubs: To welcome new manager Lou Piniella to Chicago, the Cubs brass went about remaking the image of their team from the Mark Prior-Kerry Wood show to an offensive heavy team. The signing of outfielder Alfonso Soriano was the headliner as now he will team with first baseman Derek Lee and third baseman Aramis Ramirez to create one of the most potent offensive attacks in the National League. Pitching is sketchy after Carlos Zambrano and the Cubs will go as far as pitching signing Ted Lilly and closer Ryan Dempster will take them because Prior and Wood are too big of question marks to expect much of anything this season. The Cubs will be much improved in 2007, but it won?t be enough to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2004. 3. Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers could be this year?s Detroit Tigers if everything falls into place because their diligence in rebuilding is beginning to show. Offensively, first baseman Prince Fielder is a budding star as a hitter and could be looking at .275/35 home run season. He will team with second baseman Rickie Weeks and catcher Johnny Estrada, who is looking to find his home after early success with the Atlanta Braves. The staff though is this team?s strength if Ben Sheets can just stay healthy. At full strength, he is a top five pitcher and with new addition Jeff Suppan to go with hold-over Chris Capuano, the staff is beginning to take shape. The Brewers will need great health and breakouts for a few players to make the playoffs in 2007, but success is on the horizon in Milwaukee. 4. Houston Astros: Houston has become a sort of enigma in the baseball world and they don?t look ready to dispel that notion in 2007. The offense should be better with the signing of outfielder Carlos Lee to combine with switch-hitting first baseman Lance Berkman, but it isn?t enough with the surrounding talent to put pressure on opponents? pitching staff. Even with the loss of Andy Pettittee to the New York Yankees, the staff is still good with ace Roy Oswalt at the top. He has able complements in Jason Jennings and veteran Woody Williams, but the lack of consistency after Oswalt won?t be able to carry the offense as it has done in years past. Manager Phil Garner has shown to be more of a manager who won?t mess up success instead of one who can breed it, which is what this teams needs and will feel the affects of it early on this season. 5. Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates, like the Brewers, are heading in the right direction as an organization. The difference this season is Pittsburgh?s lack of pitching experience. Zach Duke and Ian Snell have very promising futures, but neither are ready to be a staff ace and without a proven closer following the trade of Mike Gonzalez to Atlanta, the staff as a whole could struggle at times this seasons. The Pirates will be able to score though behind outfielder Jason Bay, another player fans should pay attention too, outfielder Xavier Nady and first baseman Adam LaRoche give this team a great starting point. They also have the reigning batting champion infielder Freddy Sanchez, but injury will keep him out at the beginning of the year. The Pirates won?t compete for the playoffs this season, but in the rebuilding process, they appear to be where Milwaukee was last season with a bright future going forward. 6. Cincinnati Reds: There isn?t much hope in Cincinnati for a franchise that was one of baseball?s best not very long ago. The Reds are building around outfielders Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn, but it is a flawed plan. Griffey is on the downside of his career and Dunn is one of the most overrated players in the game. Without much help around those two, the offense is inconsistent and not able to take advantage of their friendly home field. Pitching is solid at the top with Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo, but the drop-off after in the rotation and the bullpen means too many runs against for the Reds in 2007. They aren?t the least talented team in baseball, but they will be the worst team in 2007 without a plan to turn it around in the near future. Douglas Benton can be reached at [email protected]