The Chicago Cubs, who were 8.5 games back in the NL Central in mid-July, look like inevitable division champions early in August.
The Cubs are the only team in the division playing well. They have won 15 of 19 and just took two of three from a powerhouse Atlanta Braves team over the weekend. Meanwhile the two teams who were ahead of Chicago are stumbling. The Cincinnati Reds have lost six in a row. The Milwaukee Brewers dropped two of their last three games at home to the Pittsburgh Pirates.