2 NL Central teams Reds fans should fear and 1 who is a fraud

Yes, the Cincinnati Reds are in the middle of rebuild and the outlook for the 2023 season is bleak. But it's doubtful that anyone predicted the Cleveland Guardians to go to the ALDS last season, so you never know how the season will unfold.

One thing the Reds have on their side is, arguably, the weakest division in all of baseball. However, with the schedule changes in place for the 2023 season, it's not as if teams will get to "beat up on" the lesser competition in the same way they have in previous years.

Still, while the National League Central may not be winnable this season, everybody has a puncher's chance once the 2023 season begins next week. Which two teams in the NL Central are the top contenders to be feared and which one is an absolute fraud?

Reds fans should fear the Brewers in 2023.

So long as the Milwaukee Brewers have the three-headed monster of Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta atop their starting rotation, they should be feared. In fact, baseball fans in general may be sleeping on the Brew Crew this season.

While it's true that Josh Hader is pitching elsewhere and Kolten Wong is no longer playing up the middle, the Brewers did acquire former Reds slugger Jesse Winker. The Cincinnati faithful know just how dangerous Da Wink can be if he's healthy and has the right state of mind.

Speaking of former Reds, the Brewers now employ Wade Miley as well. The southpaw didn't need a pitch clock in order to speed up his delivery. Miley will be at the backend of a very talented Brewers rotation.

The Brewers also made one more addition by trading for Atlanta Braves catcher William Contreras. Not only did his older brother Willson not leave the division, Milwaukee decided to bring last year's All-Star to the Cream City.

The Milwaukee Brewers will be a very dangerous team and are quite capable of winning the NL Central Division. The Brewers top three starters are exactly what the Reds hope they have with Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Graham.