As we await play to begin today, Friday, July 5, the N.L. Central is in a spot never before seen.
The five teams are separated by just 3½ games:
This is unprecedented for the N.L. Central so late in the season. One of these teams will eventually take charge, and I think it will be the Cubs. But they’ll have to play better within the division, for one thing, in order to win it. Records and games remaining for N.L. Central teams within the division:
Brewers 23-16 (37 remaining)
Cubs 15-16 (45 remaining)
Pirates 16-17 (43 remaining)
Cardinals 15-17 (44 remaining)
Reds 18-21 (37 remaining)Other than the Brewers’ record within the division, that’s all pretty uninspiring and one of the reasons the Central is so close.