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Chicago Cubs: With Cardinals in free-fall, what lies ahead for the NL Central?

By Jake Misener

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 23: Manager Mike Matheny and Matt Carpenter #13 of the St. Louis Cardinals confront umpire John Tumpane after Carpenter was ejected in the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 23, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 23: Manager Mike Matheny and Matt Carpenter #13 of the St. Louis Cardinals confront umpire John Tumpane after Carpenter was ejected in the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 23, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 23: Manager Mike Matheny and Matt Carpenter #13 of the St. Louis Cardinals confront umpire John Tumpane after Carpenter was ejected in the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 23, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 23: Manager Mike Matheny and Matt Carpenter #13 of the St. Louis Cardinals confront umpire John Tumpane after Carpenter was ejected in the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 23, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

As the Chicago Cubs emerged in the Central, the once-perennial favorite St. Louis Cardinals are trending downward – in breathtaking fashion.

In the not-so-distant past, the St. Louis Cardinals seemed to dominate the National League Central on an annual basis. As the Chicago Cubs languished in the cellar during the rebuilding phase of their overhaul, St. Louis seemed to put a quality product on the field every single day.

But, over the past two-plus years, the Cubs became the favorite in the division. Although St. Louis won the Central in 2015, they failed to make the postseason in 2016. This year, the club has been in the news more for off-the-field issues than their play between the lines.

Team chemistry issues, battles between the manager and a clubhouse leader and underperforming youngsters all play into the team’s disappointing play in 2017. Is this the end of the perennial powerhouse known as the St. Louis Cardinals?

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