Matt Holliday has forearms that are bigger than Kate Moss’ waist. When he hits the ball, it often comes off the bat with backspin, rocketing into the sky like a heat-seeking missile.
Holliday is a career .318 hitter who can hit cleanup for nearly every team in baseball. Except the one he’s on. Albert Pujols is so much better than anyone else in the National League that he’s turned the MVP award into his annual Christmas ornament.
During spring, injuries kept Holliday and Pujols from being in the lineup at the same time. Holliday joked that it’s not like they are a quarterback and receiver who need to work on their timing.
What is known is that he and Pujols give the Cardinals a ridiculous 1-2 punch in the middle of the order. It’s symbolic of a team that will rely heavily on two combinations — Holliday and Pujols on offense and Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright in the rotation.
The Cardinals are heavy favorites in the NL Central and a popular World Series pick. The Phillies haven’t exactly gotten worse, but history isn’t on their side. The last National League team to make three consecutive World Series appearances was the Cardinals from 1942-44.
Following is a look at the top National League story lines coming out of spring training (with apologies to the Cubs, who just aren’t as good or as interesting as they think they are).
1. Will the Phillies’ bullpen be healthy?
Closer Brad Lidge, a former star at Cherry Creek High, will begin the year on the disabled list after multiple surgeries on multiple body parts during the offseason. Left-hander J.C. Romero won’t be ready either. The Phillies’ lineup features all-stars at every position except catcher, where Carlos Ruiz is solid. But this team can’t survive without a consistent closer, whether that’s Lidge, Ryan Madson or a trade acquisition.
2. Can the Cardinals replace Piñeiro?
Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright were terrific last season, overshadowing Joel Piñeiro’s excellence. He’s an Angel now, and Brad Penny is not exactly a demon on the mound anymore. He’s pitching coach Dave Duncan’s latest reclamation project. Can Duncan work his magic again?
3. Are the Reds going to make noise?
The Reds are considered a sleeper team, picked by many to be a surprise. Their lineup is stacked with Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Scott Rolen and Brandon Phillips. The question is can their starters pitch well enough for Dusty Baker not to exhaust his bullpen? Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman is the X-factor. He could win 12 games. Or three. He’s that wild.
4. Will the Rockies handle expectations?
Everyone but Abner Doubleday is picking them to win their first-ever division title. They have the talent, but how will they handle adversity if Franklin Morales can’t close, Huston Street is lost for months and Jeff Francis doesn’t rebound? Their depth could turn into their biggest strength.
5. Will Atlanta send Cox off with a smile?
Atlanta is going for it in manager Bobby Cox’s last season. That’s why 20-year-old Jason Heyward is in right field and why it signed aging relievers Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito. If Tim Hudson and Derek Lowe return to their old form, the Braves will throw Ragu on the Cardinals’, Phillies’ and Rockies’ picture-perfect visions.
Breaking down the NL
The Post’s Troy E. Renck looks at the senior curcuit; teams listed in predicted order of division:
East
When did the Phillies become the Yankees? They have current or former all-stars at every position, save for catcher Carlos Ruiz, who is outstanding. With the Mets clueless, the Phillies have turned winning the East into calisthenics.
Phillies: Can Ryan Madson close? If he and Brad Lidge improve, the Phillies will win 100 games.
Braves: Rookie sensation Jason Heyward and a healthy Tim Hudson give Atlanta a slight chance to surprise Phillies.
Marlins: Shortstop Hanley Ramirez and ace Josh Johnson are as good as any player-pitcher combo in the National League. Bullpen undermanned.
Mets: The team is taking it slow with Jose Reyes. By the time he’s back, Mets could be out of the race.
Nationals: Circle June 3-4-5 on the calendar. Sets up for phenom Stephen Strasburg’s major-league debut.
Central
The Cardinals are the class of the division. They have the best manager, best pitching coach and the most versatile roster (picking up Felipe Lopez was a steal). The Cubs could challenge but look more like a slow-pitch softball team.
Cardinals: On a team of stars, shortstop Brendan Ryan is an underrated wizard in middle of infield.
Reds: Team stocked with sluggers; need pitcher Aroldis Chapman to burst through to stardom.
Cubs: Too many overpaid underachievers, beginning squarely with Alfonso Soriano, who is useless when he’s not red-hot at plate.
Brewers: Yovani Gallardo needs another ace to pair with, and this team could be contender.
Astros: Already facing a difficult year; their best player, Lance Berkman, will begin season on disabled list.
Pirates: OF Andrew McCutchen is real deal on a team with far too many holes to compete.
West
The Dodgers had this division won had they spent money in the offseason. Had they kept Randy Wolf or signed Joel Piñeiro, they would have been the prohibitive favorite. Now, they are poised to be tracked down by the Rockies, who are just as athletic and have a deeper rotation.
Rockies: The key is overcoming loss of Huston Street and possible struggles of Jeff Francis. Rox will hit better than a year ago.
Dodgers: Joe Torre’s overuse of his bullpen could bite him this season as Jonathan Broxton is showing signs of regression.
Giants: Their big three starters — Lincecum, Cain, Zito — keep them in games. But offense will struggle to score on the road.
Diamondbacks: No Brandon Webb, no chance. But keep an eye on Conor Jackson, he could contend for a batting title.
Padres: If there’s kindness in the world, catcher Yorvit Torrealba will be traded to a contender in July.
