It was only a couple of weeks ago at the All-star break that the NL Central standings were by far the closest in baseball. There were only 4.5 games separating the last-place Reds and the first-place Cubs — something that hasn’t happened since 2006 in the AL West where there were only 4 teams. Everyone seemed to be a contender even the unexpected Pirates and Reds.
Fast forward three weeks later and the Pirates and Reds have shown their true colors, Pittsburgh dropping down to 47-61 and Cincinnati to 50-56. While they are not mathematically eliminated, the race is between the top 3 teams – the Cubs, Brewers, and Cardinals.
After St. Louis went on a tear coming out of the Allstar break, they found themselves in sole position of first place at the beginning of the week. With the Cubs 2-0 win in St. Louis, behind a gem by Kyle Hendricks, the Cubs and Cardinals are now tied for first place at 57-50. The Brewers, who made it one win away from the world series last season, are hot on their tail one game behind.
Despite being the only division without a 60 win team, and considered by many to be the worst division in baseball, this will be a race to follow as the season continues.
The Brewers are thirsty for more after last year’s run, and the Cubs who won their first world series in 108 years only 3 years ago, would love another chance. In St. Louis, a town with high baseball expectations, their team has narrowly missed the playoffs three years in a row and the fans want to see that streak end. All three teams are great rivalries, making every series with each other seem like a playoff game.