Chicago Cubs: Assessing state of the National League Central

With the Chicago Cubs struggling, it’s time to assess the NL Central, and take stock of the North Siders’ competition

If one hundred baseball fans were polled at the beginning of the season, none would have predicted the Milwaukee Brewers to be in first place on June 21. Instead, many would have said the Chicago Cubs would be running away with the division. However, that has not been the case.

With the Cubs having picked up their 36th win of the season on Tuesday, they pulled within a half of the Brewers. Behind the Cubs are the Pirates and Cardinals who are in a dead-lock at four games off the pace. Even the Cincinnati Reds who are 1-9 in their ten games are still in contention at six and a half games back.

Despite the Cubs’ slow start, one can still foresee the Cubs winning the NL Central for the second year in a row. Still, the Cubs face an uphill battle, as the Brewers will do everything in their power to hold off the defending champions.

Now that the month of June is almost over, let’s assess the Cubs’ competition in the NL Central.