NL Central Heating Up With Cubs, Brewers Wins

Ben Zobrist of Chicago Cubs
Ben Zobrist of Chicago Cubs. in 2018 Photo by John Fisher/CSM/Shutterstock

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.

Shmuel grew up in Pittsburgh during the rough times of the Pirate's streak of 20 losing seasons. In between baseball, football, and going to school, his passion is finding the most interesting weekend hikes and getaways.