Chicago Cubs: Is the NL Central now the best division in baseball?

Chicago Cubs: It is Milwaukee’s division for now

The Brewers abruptly ended the Cubs’ quest for a third straight NL Central title in 2018, and they look primed to remain at the top.

National League MVP Christian Yelich is only just entering the prime of his career at 27 years old and Lorenzo Cain seemed to thrive in Milwaukee (where he was drafted back in 2006), posting his second-highest fWAR and playing arguably the best defensive center field in baseball.

Jesus Aguilar had a career year at the plate despite a somewhat lackluster second half, and Ryan Braun hit .281 with an .879 OPS after the All-Star Break.

But the strength of Milwaukee is undoubtedly the pitching. Josh Hader and Jeremy Jeffress headline a dominant bullpen, and the Brewers should get a huge boost in the rotation with a healthy Jimmy Nelson and the possible insertion of Brandon Woodruff as a starter.

Make no mistake, this team is for real.