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If we can all agree that teams in the National League Central cycle in and then out of a window contention, then let's begin the discussion there as a brand new Best Podcast in Baseball does with a look at all five division rivals and where they are in their timeline to contend. Longtime Cincinnati baseball writer and Reds beat writer C. Trent Rosecrans, who is now with The Athletic and The New York Times, joins Post-Dispatch baseball writer Derrick Goold during a rain delay at Great American Ball Park to look out the windows and see what teams are in a downcycle from contending, what team is square in an urgent window to do so, and where the Reds and Cardinals fit on the spectrum.

The comparison between the Reds and Cardinals gets some added gravity when considering how the Reds have a young nucleus of players -- and arguably the most-talented position player (Elly De La Cruz) and most-talented starter (Hunter Greene) in the division -- and yet they're not considered a favorite, some pundits don't see them as a contender, and it's not the first itme they've had a core built to contend that doesn't. That's a lesson for the Cardinals who want to build a core as well and expect to contend -- but there's no guarantee.

An X-factor for the Reds is manager Terry Francona, who came out of retirement to lead the Cincinnati youth and possible galvanize them for a division run they've not been able to make due to inconsistency.

Francona's arrival in the NL Central comes 14 years after the Cardinals interviewd him for their manager vacancy.

Rosecrans and Goold, two writers who covered the late Walt Jocketty when he was leading the Reds or Cardinals front office, respectively, also discuss the popular baseball exec's impact on both franchises and especially what he brought back to Cincinnati that the Reds are out to restore even today.

Star Wars Day is also discussed.

The Best Podcast in Baseball, sponsored by Closets by Design of St. Louis, is a production of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, StlToday.com, and Derrick Goold. In its 13th season, BPIB can be found wherever you get your podcasts. It is likely in need of a new theme song after all these years.

Peering through the opening (and closing) windows to win in NL Central 54:15 Share

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Peering through the opening (and closing) windows to win in NL Central