I know there is some concern in Philadelphia, where the Phillies have discovered that Jimmy Rollins was blowing smoke in spring training, the relief pitching really stinks, and they can’t win a game. My advice is to fan that concern into a full-blown panic. Fans down there have already seen Atlanta and the Mets up close and painful, and there’s no question — and this isn’t a long limb to climb out on — those two teams are going to fight it out all season long. The Mets will ride their success of last year and this year’s powerhouse to a team attendance record. The Braves will sell out Turner Field. Once. Maybe.

But the most excitement is in the NL Central, where the Pirates and Reds are battling for first-place — riding roughshod on the division. Yep, if I were the Cardinals, I’d be very, very worried about them right now. In fact, if I were the Cardinals, I’d be very, very worried about everything. Like the Yankees, they’ve got pitching problems.

So do the Dodgers. Jason Schmidt went down, the team’s scoring just four runs a game — a lot only by the standards of the Cards and Astros — and the Diamondbacks are already the class of a division that’s headed for another year as baseball’s worst.

I know I should say something about the Cubs, but what’s the say about 3-4 and chasing Cincy and Pittsburgh? I know Lou Piniella’s a genius, because I read a story by an expert attesting to that fact. He doesn’t have to prove it just yet, but it would be nice if he’d kick it in gear sometime soon.

He doesn’t want those Pirates to get too big a lead, does he?

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Handicapping the Halladay chase Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay CTB: Should the Yankees get younger? DeMarco: Red Sox should take measured approach CTB: A prediction — Lackey will sign with Yankees CTB: Indians unlikely to deal Wood this offseason CTB: Mets could be interested in Royals’ Guilllen Complete list of free agents Circling the Bases: Blogging on news, rumors, buzz SCORES, SCHEDULES, STANDINGS, STATS Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: