Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - NL Central Squad Show: The Division Is Off To a HOT start! Who Are The CONTENDERS and PRETENDERS?

Starting point is 00:00:00 You were looking at six of the podcast host in the best division in Major League baseball. Step up to the plate. It's the Locked-on MLB squad show. From the Dodgers to the Astros, the Mets to the Rangers, and everyone else in the league, with the experts of the Locked-on podcast network bringing you the most comprehensive breakdown of all the action around the war. We're coming in spikes up. No hurt feeling allowed. So squad up. This is the Lockdown MLB Squad show in L Central version. My name is Jeff Carr.

Starting point is 00:00:38 I'm one half of Lockdown Reds. My co-host, Steve Offenbaker, is with me here as we are ready to tell everybody why. Standings aren't changing for the rest of the year. So I'm really glad that you guys showed up to celebrate with us. With us, though, we also have J.D. Haffin from Lockdown Cardinals. Gary Morgan from Lockdown Pirates. Sam Holber from Lockdown Cubs and Chuck Freeman from Lockdown Brewers. And gentlemen, it's been a heck of a start to the season.

Starting point is 00:01:02 season already. We're a month into this thing. And there is no other division in baseball that has a better record than the NL Central because no one in the NL Central is under 500 yet. So with that being said, who is the most real team in all of this? Because it feels as though there's been a lot of fun with just about every single team here. I'll jump in first. I'll tell you what the big surprise for me is, is that in this bunch that Chuck's Milwaukee Brewers are at the bottom of the division right now. I mean, I expected a fall off. I expected this to be the year that everybody in the division had to take it away from the Milwaukee Brewers, but for them to be four and a half games, roughly three and a half games out of first place as we're recording and them trailing the

Starting point is 00:01:53 division is a big surprise to me. The other big surprise to me is that we haven't got to bash on the dirty birds that are the St. Louis Cardinals like we had all hoped, you know, we went into this season, everybody expecting them to just be this steaming pile of hot garbage that we've been longing for. And we're not quite there yet. Now, maybe things will sort themselves out and we'll get there. But right now, haven't been able to talk smack at JD. The brewers have fallen off.

Starting point is 00:02:21 And yet, Jeff, you and I get the revel in the fact that the Cincinnati Reds are division leaders. You know, it's by one game. I love it. I will say this. In Milwaukee, there's a faction of people who think, well Milwaukee's going to eventually I talked to a fan today

Starting point is 00:02:37 oh we're eventually going to catch fire and we're going to pass those. The Reds are frauds. Oh, the Cobbs, you know, that. And all the Cardals, of course, they're on a losing skid right now and the pirates of the pirates. And I told this guy, I said,

Starting point is 00:02:50 man, everybody in this division, first of all, don't think that way, everybody in this division has gotten better in the off season. Everybody looked at us and said, and I'm sure the owner said, why is that team in Milwaukee winning 97 games? How are they

Starting point is 00:03:05 much better than us? We got more resources. We got better players. How are they doing it in Milwaukee? We got to stop that team over there. Other teams have gotten better. You all have gotten better over the winter. And you guys are better teams. Even JD, I don't never count of the Cardinals with his team.

Starting point is 00:03:22 So I feel like there's a faction there that the Brewers are just going to eventually rip off 40 at 50 again. I'm going to be a top. tough division. And yeah, nobody's going to be, we're not going to have all five teams with winning records throughout the season.

Starting point is 00:03:40 But don't think that this is going to be a cakewalk and the Brewers are just going to suddenly surge by all you all this year. I mean, I think the Pirates have started laying the most evidence out, right? We're six and three in the division already, all on the road. Haven't even played anybody at home yet. That starts tomorrow or today whenever this drops. And I think their strength of schedule is, is harder than the rest of the division, too.

Starting point is 00:04:09 If you just look at the records of the teams they've played, pirates have had a harder, how to tow so far. Yeah, I think, I think, you know, with the Brewers, I'm still not, I'm not getting trapped again this year. I'm not, I'm not falling for it yet. I'll fall for it like right around July 4th, if they're still hovering around 500. The Reds have been interesting because obviously Sal Stewart and the breakout there, but they've been unbelievable in close games.

Starting point is 00:04:40 I think there's 7 and 0 in one run games or something like that. Jeff, I don't know, Steve. 7-0-1-run, 9-0-2 and-2 in Bluebo. I'm not a huge run differential guy. Because I think a lot of people would look and be like, well, the Reds are in first place, but they only have a plus one run differential. I played that game with the Brewers before and lost a couple of years. And then the Cubs is, I think the Cubs are probably, I think, record-wise, people are like, yeah,

Starting point is 00:05:06 it's right about where they should be, 17-11. But the path there has been really odd. It was a slow start, pretty much lost every meaningful pitcher that you could think of. And then out of nowhere, just racked up 10 in a row against the Phillies and Mets. And the Phillies and Mets have seen better days. So it's been interesting. I will say, like Gary said, the Pirates being six or three in their division, that was the one series. when they came into Wrigley, the Cubs stole a game from them on Sunday,

Starting point is 00:05:34 but they beat up on the Cubs. They looked really good, Riggily, and they didn't hit pitch skeins. It was a two out of three win without skeins pitching. So I was impressed with that. Cardinals wise, we're just happy to be here, boys. Thank you for, you know, just allowing us to hang out for a little while. Hey, J. Weather, oh, April's been fun and entertaining.

Starting point is 00:05:58 We're at the beginning of 17 games and 17 days. And we started at 0 and 3 getting swept by the Seattle Mariners, who all of a sudden, their bats got real, real hot. And they look legit again. I know either they had a tough start to the season. But, you know, Cardinals, we know where we are. And we're having fun enjoying the new direction, which has given us a little bit of life so far this year.

Starting point is 00:06:24 Being above 500, it's been fun. I don't know how much longer it's going to last. We get the pirates next. And then I think we got the Dodgers. it's quite the gauntlet we're getting ready to run through. So things might get bloody quickly in St. Louis. I'm just hoping our fan base is prepared for that. It's going to be interesting to see how everybody kind of holds up because as fun as it has been of a start to a season for the Reds, it's a start.

Starting point is 00:06:51 And there's so much more to get into. I mean, April doesn't make you, you cannot win the division in April, but you certainly can lose it. And for once the Reds just aren't losing it. like the David Bell era, that's all they did was they punted April and they start playing until May. And for once they're playing in April. And that's what's got everybody in Cincinnati just so stoked. Because I don't think we've seen a good, I mean, there's been a couple of good games they played against Minnesota and Detroit where you just saw the lineup go crazy. But coming into the season, the reason to believe in the Reds were the top four in their pitching rotation.

Starting point is 00:07:28 Hunter Green, Nicodolo have not pitched yet this season. And Andrew Abbott and Brady Singer have, I mean, Brady Singer's been much better here recently, but Andrew Abbott's been a shell of himself. Like the guys that are leading this rotation are Chase Burns, Brett louder, and the bullpen picks up where the rotation just cannot seem to hold on to. And so we're hoping that this is sustainable. The good news is the lineup as a whole just hasn't gotten going yet. We started to see that churn a little bit this weekend with Matt McLean,

Starting point is 00:08:00 and we started to see some other guys really pitch in as well. I mean, E. E. E. E. Hanyoswarez hits the I L. And Nate Lowe says, thank you very much for the opportunity. I mean, he's just going to hit a bunch of bombs now. And so that was a ton of fun to see. And then the other JJ in the division now, I mean, J.J. Weatherhold, he's doing his thing. Now the Red's got a JJ as well.

Starting point is 00:08:18 And apparently that's just the key to hitting well, just have a JJ on your team because he shows up and hits a bomb in his first game. So there's so much about these early season results that's a ton of fun, but I think the key to all of it and the reason why I very sarcastically and not seriously at all declared the division title yet is because you're right, Gary. Like nobody's really played in division yet. And I think it's, I think the nine games that the Pirates have played are the most in division right now. And we haven't really seen those battles take place. just yet. So I think I kind of want to get the view of the rest because like, Sam, you mentioned the Phillies and the Mets looking like shells of themselves has to be wondering,

Starting point is 00:09:04 is the door open for three or four playoff teams from the NL Central? I'll discuss that coming up next. If you've got a sweet tooth like I do, you know how tough it is to find the perfect balance that has a treat that gives you everything that you want and it's not packed with sugar. That's why the confetti crazed five-hour energy shot brings the nostalgic flavor back in a whole new way. This is that classic taste that you remember, but it's got that tasty caffeine boost and zero sugar.

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Starting point is 00:10:20 Crack open, confetti craze, five-hour energy, shots today. You love your team. You make us part of your day every single day and we invite you to take it up a notch. Go ad free. Check out the everyday or club. If you're a Cardinal fan, a Pirates fan, a Brewers fan, a Cubs fan or a Reds fan. We got an everyday or club for you. Check out Lockedonpodcast.com slash everyday or club, I believe it's the thing and I should have put that in here. Anyway, we've got a link in the description of today's show that you can learn more about that. All right, gentlemen, like I mentioned, not a whole lot of in-division games just yet. We've seen a lot of NL Central teams beating up on other division teams. The Reds have pretty

Starting point is 00:11:04 much played all of their, what feels like all of their interleague schedule. I know that there's still a few other teams in the American League. They haven't played yet, but it feels like they've spent their time in the American League so far. And then we've seen a lot of NL East bashing from the Cubs. And when we look at the rest of the divisions, at least within the National League. Is the door open for a repeat of three playoff teams from this division? Or could they even get four? And Jady, I'll start with you.

Starting point is 00:11:35 Who, uh, man, it's tough because, uh, you look at what's going on in the NLS with the Dodgers and the Padres. That's true. Arizona's still hanging around there too. So, uh, it's, um, it's got, it's going to be tough. I mean, honestly, what is going to help you guys is where the Cardinals, might be by the time we all get to play each other. Finally, we're playing the pirates here, starting, you know, the beginning of this week. And if you're able to take advantage of

Starting point is 00:12:01 what we're offering right now on the field, that should do wonders for you guys. Not that we're just going to lay over for anybody, but it'll play you tough. But we've all recognized what the Cardinals are this year. They're probably a below 500 team the rest of this way. So that might be helpful for you. NOS has got the Rockies to kick around. for the most part. So you always kind of need that one team that's just not there with everybody else to take advantage of. I mean,

Starting point is 00:12:30 I like everything that your guys as teams are doing. Again, I trust in Milwaukee that eventually they'll get things going in the right direction. Cubs rattling off 10 in a row did not see that one coming. But I definitely think they're the roster of the Reds doing what they're doing. And the pirates are real. They are real. I've watched plenty of their games this year.

Starting point is 00:12:50 And they win. out and got some important pieces. It's going to be tough for three to make it. I find it hard to believe that that'll happen again. I'd rather, if I had to take an over under, give me two is where I would go with it. What we said preseason. Sam, do you think that the Phillies and the Mets that you saw are the real Phillies and the Mets? No, but they're digging a pretty big hole. And I do think, definitely not four, but I do think three is, is in play.

Starting point is 00:13:24 You know, I, I, you know, if you think about it, what's going to probably win our division, you know, maybe low 90s, something like that, 90, 91, 92. And then, you know, you look at the pirates, you look at the Reds, look at the Cubs, look at the Brewers. Like I said, I'm not, I'm still not buying the start for the Cardinals. I do think eventually it'll, it'll, it'll, it'll, it'll head down just because literally like their front office has told you that pretty much. But I could see the pirates and the Reds, Cubs and Brewers all being,

Starting point is 00:13:52 in the mid to high 80s. So, you know, that just mathematically it could be enough. So I definitely could see three because what did you guys get in the Reds last year? 83, right? 83. Yeah, yeah. So I think it'll be a couple higher than that.

Starting point is 00:14:06 So I definitely could see three. I definitely could see three. We did this before the season started. I said, I thought three teams could get in again. And I think for sure, you know, I think Atlanta's one for sure is great. And I think, you know, you look at the two teams. You got to smash these.

Starting point is 00:14:22 And the Dodgers, the Dodgers, it was the Brewers found it last year. I mean, the Dodgers are still the Dodgers, no matter what they do in the regular season. But I think in this division now, for the first time, like I can say that, there is not an easy out. I know we all beefed up against the American League teams a little bit. The Brewers, even though we're not where we want to be at this point, they've got three preferred starters out of the starting line. At Yelage, Churio, and Vaughn. So three starters have not been able to play. The bullpen is not all but that good.

Starting point is 00:14:52 good. PTSD, Vaughn. PTSD, Vaugh. Yeah. He's coming back soon. Left side of the infields not been good. Right fielder has not been hitting well, Freelick right around 200. But hopefully some of these guys can pick it up.

Starting point is 00:15:08 But I think, you know, this division, man, I don't know four teams, but I think three teams for sure, guys. Yeah, I agree with Chuck. I think three teams is very doable. I can see that happening. You look at the national. League West right now. They're going to get a wildcard team. There's going to be the division winner plus a wildcard team out of the west. I don't see any way around that. You look at the

Starting point is 00:15:30 East. The East is an absolute train wreck. Right now, the Phillies and the Mets are nearly 10 games back of the division leading Atlanta Braves. That's a lot of ground that they're going to have to make up over the rest of the season. And it's going to be really hard for them to do that. So even if if one wildcard team comes out of the West, that still leaves it possible for there to be three National League Central teams come out. Could it be two and two between the Central and the West? Yes. Could it be three teams out of the Central?

Starting point is 00:15:57 Absolutely. How fun, especially with this group of hosts, how much fun could we have heading into the postseason? If there are three National League Central teams that make this postseason, you look, the Reds are for real, the Cubs are for real, the pirates, God help us. The frickin pirates are for real. That is where we're at right now. And you look at the National League West, the Padres are real, the Dodgers are real,

Starting point is 00:16:19 I think the diamond backs will eventually fall back in the pack. But those two teams, the Dodgers and the Padres, are absolutely for real. There is a lot of good baseball to come over to summer. But I can totally see a scenario where three teams come out of the central, two teams out of the West, and that is your postseason. I think we're going to have three. I think I'd be kind of surprised if we don't at this point. Phillies are old and they look at it.

Starting point is 00:16:48 And I just think they, They banked too much on these veterans continuing to play like themselves. And it's clear they aren't. The Mets, they just don't fit. They just were like not built properly and it feels that way. I mean, this isn't just about injuries. They just feel messy. I feel like they'll turn it around just because there's too much talent there for them not to do something.

Starting point is 00:17:16 but the Braves are running away with that division. And it's so silly to say in April, but it's crazy the way they look compared to everyone else in that division. Their best excuse, too, I think is that they're starting a rotation is nowhere near healthy. Because I think Striders is coming back on rehab. I think they're trying to think, is it elder coming back?

Starting point is 00:17:40 There's a couple other guys that are supposedly coming back on rehab for Atlanta. So they could be even more dangerous here. especially assuming that Ronald Ocuna and company actually stay healthy. But no, I feel very strongly with you guys. Like three feels like the right number for this division. And yeah, it kind of feels like keeping the Padres out of the playoffs at this point. That would have to require some injuries that we just don't see happening or just some sort of crazy fall off that makes no sense at this point.

Starting point is 00:18:09 Albeit Mason Miller cannot pitch every day. He pitches a lot. and when he pitches, he gets everybody out. But I don't know that there's ever been a person to pitch 162 ballgames. And I think somebody might get arrested if that happens. So I don't think that. I just fact check that, Jeff. You are correct.

Starting point is 00:18:29 Confirm. Nobody has thrown 162. That would be a lot. But man, he is, he has pitched really well to begin the season. But I think that overall, this division, while it is early, and it's hard to separate exactly who is the best in the division as of right now. We know for sure that the teams that are doing it are for real. Because I see all of the factors coming into play that have really improved the pirates.

Starting point is 00:18:58 The pirates look like a very legitimate ball club. The Brewers are just, they're just always going to be there. Period. Playing in simple, I get it. They've had to really stretch to fill in some injuries. And they've been probably the most hurt ball club in the division as of right now. Knock on wood. Cubbies are pretty close.

Starting point is 00:19:15 Cubs have lost. Yeah, the Cubs. Yeah, the Pitch of you guys. If you guys can name like two Cubs relievers right now active, I'd be really impressed. Oh. Because I struggle. Wait, no, Palencia's hurt.

Starting point is 00:19:29 I was going to say Polencia. Yeah, Polencia is hurt. Colin Ray's now starting. Yeah. Mayton's hurt. Mayton's hurt. No, Mark. No, Mark.

Starting point is 00:19:39 No, no. I'm telling you, good luck. And they just want 10 in a row. Yeah, it's crazy. It's like I told Gary this before we started the podcast. I saw more pirate fans at this three games series in Milwaukee than I ever have. And I think that's great for the fans because all these places are pretty much travelable. I mean, Pittsburgh's a long way to go to Milwaukee.

Starting point is 00:20:04 But still, you know, we're all in a vicinity where you could travel like in a day and make it back the next day. Or that same day, if you want. I've been to all your ballparks. They're all nice. Yeah. I can honestly say that. I've liked every single ballpark I've been to here. Wrigley's got its charm.

Starting point is 00:20:22 It, you know, it's old and you can tell, but I loved it. I had a nice time. Everywhere else, though, I really loved. American family might be one of my favorite ballparks. Oh, wow. Playing on hitting it up late June, that's for sure. Is it further to go to Milwaukee from Pittsburgh or St. Louis? Ah, St. Louis.

Starting point is 00:20:40 Milwaukee's just a real boring drive for us across. Ohio where nothing happens. It's super far. It hasn't been a while. That's for sure. All they have are Burger Kings. Except for the first place, Reds, right boys? There is that bit, but there is a point to that. My girls were little, you know, you guys all know I live in Hawaii and my girls

Starting point is 00:20:57 were little. I took them on their first trip to a major league baseball game in Cincinnati and we're driving through Ohio and my, my oldest daughter was about nine years old at the time. She's like, if you look to the left of the vehicle, you see corn. And if you look to the right, oh look, there's more corn. That was her narration.

Starting point is 00:21:13 of our trip through Ohio. She's right. It hasn't changed either. No, there's not much corn, which would be really cool, but not them. Yeah, it would be way more cool. That's way more. I know that I know this, though, if you ask the baseball team up in Cleveland, they don't think that Cincinnati is a part of the state of Ohio.

Starting point is 00:21:33 So there's that too. But I think that as we move through this season, there's just going to be so many more developments. like you said, like all these different teams that are hurt, they're going to get healthy, who's going to remain the healthiest the rest of the way? But also like that home field advantage, how does that play into all of this?

Starting point is 00:21:54 Because like you said, Pirates fans are buying in more. I've seen more Reds fans of the ballpark early on this April than I have in years past. Reds fans are buying into all of this. It's going to be a lot of fun as we move through and kind of talking about those ballparks and what the rest of this division has to offer. We'll look forward to who's got the best home field advantage. I'm not fast. Ed is way more common than most guys think. Millions of guys deal with it at some point

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Starting point is 00:23:10 important safety information. Sildenafil is the generic version of Viagra. Viagra's of the registered trademark of Viatris, specialty LLC. Hymns is not affiliated with or endorsed by Viatris. You can continue the conversation with all of us after the show is over. We're all over social media. There's so many different ways that you can get in touch with each show. Every show is pretty much on every single platform. And we're also talking on the X and Instagram and things like that as well.

Starting point is 00:23:42 Got to keeping you up to date on all of our teams and how they go. I think it's a fun way to keep up with the season as a whole is to follow each host within the division because I think we all have fun takes about our ball clubs. All right. Speaking of fun takes, who's got the best home field advantage? Let's start with the guy that's got the oldest home field. What do you think here, Sam? That's a great question. I thought Rigley was pre-electric last October.

Starting point is 00:24:13 I think they went four and one at home in the playoffs. Yeah, they went two and one against the Padres to win. And then they won both Brewer's games. I think I couldn't have the show if I didn't say. I think it was probably Wrigley in October. And, you know, I mean, it has the most fans. I mean, to be fair, though, it's such a, it's such a visitors. You know, it's such a great travel place for visitors.

Starting point is 00:24:37 It also attracts the most visitors, you know. But I mean, PNC is great. In the playoffs, like I remember when the Cubs and Pirates played that wild carry game in 15, obviously Milwaukee, it's hard for me to say Milwaukee because there's always going to be so many Cub fans there if the Cubs were to play there. So I probably have to say the Cubs. I would say the Pirates will grow into it. The last people that will believe the Pirates are good will be Pirates fans.

Starting point is 00:25:12 It'll take them the longest to finally embrace it. And really until school closes, it doesn't matter if we were literally 25 and 1 right now. This ballpark wouldn't be full. It's just the way it is. It's always been that way. It always will be sometime around the middle of the season. We'll start seeing it a lot better. And then if we do make the playoffs, well, some of you in this room have seen how we show out for that.

Starting point is 00:25:40 You know, you guys know that Great American Ballpark is, in fact, a bandbox. it is the power hitters paradise. And unfortunately for the last several seasons, Cincinnati has operated like a club that did not realize hitting home runs was legal. They had nobody that could take advantage of playing in that bandbox. And for the first time in a long time, there are multiple threats in the Reds lineups

Starting point is 00:26:02 that can take advantage of being able to hit home runs over 81 home games. You've got rookie of the year candidate, South Stewart, who has nine home runs right now, is on pace with a few days left in April to maybe have the most RBIs of a rookie heading into the month of May ever. He might be able to pull that off. You've got Nathaniel Lowe who has decided, here I am, watch me hit home runs.

Starting point is 00:26:29 You've got Ellie Dela Cruz who's playing with two working legs now able to hit home runs. He also has nine on the season. The Reds are going to lean into this bandbox and score a lot of runs and combine that with really great bullpen pitching. and the likes of Hunter Green and Nicodolo coming back from injury, they've kind of got the perfect storm to have that. They're not quite there yet. They might lean into it.

Starting point is 00:26:51 They might get there. They don't have it. Right now, I think the best home field advantage in this division is American family in Milwaukee. The Brewers fans turn out. It is an environment as a visiting club that's a little hostile. That is a very Milwaukee friendly. They turn out.

Starting point is 00:27:09 They show up. They support this team. And like the division record, like winning this division, like playing baseball in this division, I think that crown belongs to Milwaukee until somebody takes it away. The Reds could take it away this year. The Pirates could take it away this year. But that crown rests firmly on the head of the Milwaukee faithful until one of these clubs rests that away. And that's only gotten that way in the last couple of years because for a while,

Starting point is 00:27:33 I mean, we almost lost our team in Milwaukee a couple of times. And had they not, yeah, we almost lost the Milwaukee Brewers. but the brewers have never won a world's championship. And until recent years, had not had a history of going to the postseason. And it was, there was no, there was not a lot of atmosphere for games. So for fans to support this team like they're doing,

Starting point is 00:27:58 the brewers have really done nothing to earn the fans' trust at all over the years. And yet fans still came out. They gave away windbreakers on Saturday, 45,000 or so for that game on Saturday. against the pirates. They have 30,000 this afternoon. So yeah, it's been the last couple of years where fans have really stepped it up, itching, but then they get their heartbroken in October. But it is pretty good, especially when the roof is closed. It can get pretty good loud in there. We saw that in October. I do not want, I tell you, that Wrigley Field atmosphere with the Brewers played there,

Starting point is 00:28:29 those two games of the Wildcar last year, when they had the Freddie chance going on, I don't ever want to go back to there and see that again. Yeah, that was, that was, I mean, I obviously, it's the 10-year anniversary of 16 and 16 was crazy, but that was, that game, they got up for those two games. I was, I was pretty impressed with the crowd. Connor Griffin was 10 years old. It's been a while since St. Louis has been a good playoff destination. Did you want me to jump in on this conversation? I was, you know.

Starting point is 00:29:05 Hey, guys, JD's here. Jayd's here. Like, do you guys remember 2011? No, see, it doesn't matter. I do. I do, actually. We don't have any sort of vibe going on at our stadium right now. In fact, it's been a little bit busier than I thought it was going to be because people are

Starting point is 00:29:21 excited about some of the young talent like the JJ Weatherholts and stuff. But it's nowhere near what Bush Stadium used to be just a couple of years ago, like 2022 when they were in the playoffs the last time. So, but if I had to choose one of you guys as places, I would say Wrigley. Like, I feel like when I, Wrigley's intimidating to me. I feel like Cincinnati, you guys are pretty friendly. You guys are having a good time doing the wave, whatever. Pittsburgh, I know you have your moments.

Starting point is 00:29:51 I've never been to Milwaukee, so I don't know what it's like there. But, uh, Riggly, like, it's like a rock concert every time when like when meaningful baseball is going on there. And I feel like it's intimidating. and I would give, if I had to pick one that I wouldn't want to play in, it would be Wrigley Field. Yeah, I feel as though it's disingenuous to put Great American in here because the last playoff game at home was, well, talk about the result, but it was 2012. So, you know, it was a long time ago. And, yeah, the guy that's leading their front office now, he did a thing, and I won't say

Starting point is 00:30:28 what it was, but it was not fun. Um, so it's, it's definitely similar to the pirates in that regard where it's like, whatever the reputation is, they got to build it. It's, there is none at the moment. I mean, you can pick a couple of points when it was super loud, but none of that was playoff games. I mean, you had the clinch miss in 2010, but you have to go back 16 years for that. And you can go back 11 years and talk about Todd Frazier winning the home run derby,

Starting point is 00:30:54 but it was an exhibition. That wasn't, you know, anything that counted for anything in the season. So it's tough because I want that to be in the running. But it's nowhere near Regley or an American family. And I think I would put Regley just a little bit ahead of it. I can't believe it's been 10 years since there was a World Series there. That's insane to me. Time is undefeated.

Starting point is 00:31:16 But I think I would break the tie. And I think I'd vote for it. The Cubs, I think the Cubs might be the only team in the division. They've recently, fairly recently, have played a playoff game everywhere but since he. They played at Pittsburgh and 15 in the wildcard game. Last year at Milwaukee. And then in 15, they played St. Louis in the divisional. So all those environments.

Starting point is 00:31:40 I mean, it comes won that game in Pittsburgh. That was terrifying that atmosphere that night. I remember that game so well. I was like, this feels like a college basketball game. Like, this is crazy. The Reds guys remember. I don't recommend the starting pitch or dropping. Don't drop the ball on the map.

Starting point is 00:31:57 That's not a good idea. I think we all have smart fans, too. I mean, I really have been to a lot of these ballparks. I've only very recently gotten to join the parade of people that have a generational talent to parade around. And the crowds that have come out to see Paul Schen is pretty sick in all of the division. And they're specifically there for him in knowing he's going to beat on them for a few years. I just think smart fans do that. And I've always appreciated it.

Starting point is 00:32:25 It's going to be a lot of fun as we get into the meat and potatoes of the schedule where our teams are actually facing each other and the division battles really heat up. We're going to be all over that on our individual shows, whether you're talking about lockdown cardinals, lockdown pirates, lockdown brewers, locked on cubs, or locked on reds. We've got you covered every single day. And we're going to try and do this here once a month just to kind of recap the month in the NL Central when it comes to this NL Central squad show. Thanks so much for joining us. Say it. Best division. That's right. Best division in all of baseball.

Starting point is 00:33:04 And we're covering it every single day because we are part of the lockdown podcast that we're your team every day.

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