Posted on Sun, Mar. 30, 2008

National League Storylines

Unanswered questions as the regular season approaches:

Can Brad Lidge close for the Phillies?

Brad Lidge is in as closer and Brett Myers is headed for another opening-day start. Philadelphia acquired Lidge from the Astros in November and is hoping the right-hander just needs a change in scenery. He'll start the season on the disabled list after February knee surgery.There also have been questions about his mental makeup since he gave up a long three-run home run to Albert Pujols with two outs in the ninth inning that sent St. Louis to a 5-4 win in Game 5 of the 2005 NLCS.

Can Colorado and Arizona keep it up?

Arizona got Dan Haren from Oakland in December to set up a nice 1-2 punch at the top of its rotation with Brandon Webb. The youthful Diamondbacks also have budding star Chris Young and top prospect Justin Upton.

They won the West last season and were swept in the NLCS by Colorado, which was relatively quiet this winter after storming to the pennant last year. Then again, the Rockies have Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki and several other emerging stars. So maybe they didn't have to do much.

Can Glavine, Kotsay produce for Atlanta?

Tom Glavine showed you can go home, spurning New York for a one-year deal with the Braves. The left-hander spent the first 16 years of his career with Atlanta and kept his home there when he moved to the Mets. He will be counted on to provide some depth in the Braves' rotation beyond good buddy John Smoltz and Tim Hudson.While Glavine returned, Andruw Jones created a significant hole in center field by departing for the Dodgers. Mark Kotsay insists his back problems are behind him and he'll get the first crack at replacing the 10-time Gold Glove winner.

If Glavine and Kotsay falter, the Braves will be scrambling at two important positions.

Will Fukudome, Wood deliver for Cubs?

The Cubs' Kosuke Fukudome will start the year in the fifth spot in the lineup, and manager Lou Piniella is hoping the right fielder can help protect sluggers Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez. The lefty-batting Fukudome had an uneven spring but the Cubs think he will hit for average and field his position well.

Piniella's staff will have a different feel, with Ryan Dempster moving from closer to starter and Kerry Wood replacing him at the back end of the bullpen. If Wood is effective, Piniella will have the bullpen depth he needs.

Can the Reds' young starters produce now?

The kids are all right in Cincinnati, where the rotation will feature 22-year-old Johnny Cueto and 24-year-old Edinson Volquez. Cueto put together a terrific spring after entering camp as a dark horse to make the rotation, and the Reds acquired Volquez from the Rangers in the offseason for last year's feel-good story, Josh Hamilton. Cueto and Volquez both have upper-90s fastballs and were aggressive in the strike zone during spring training.

Will the Brewers' playoff drought end?

Milwaukee was in position last year to end a postseason drought that dates to 1982, but faded down the stretch, handing the division title to the Cubs.

The Brewers are hoping Mike Cameron can help them get over the hump after the center fielder serves a 25-game suspension at the start of the year for a banned stimulant. The three-time Gold Glove winner has played twice in the ALCS, and was a key performer when San Diego won the NL West in 2006.