NL Central Power Rankings: Cubs might be a cautionary tale

The last time we ran our National League Central power rankings, it pained us to put the St. Louis Cardinals on top

At the time, one week through the regular season, the Cardinals were playing like one of the best teams in baseball. However, in the weeks since, it seems that the Cardinals are indeed headed toward the bottom of the National League Central.

Meanwhile, after taking two of three games against the Arizona Cardinals over the weekend, the Cubs sit at the top of the National League Central with a record of 14-10.

NL Central Power Rankings

1. Chicago Cubs, 14-10

The Cubs being 14-10 with two weeks remaining in their April schedule is a best-case scenario. There is no other way around that. The Cubs are the best team in the National League Central. The Cubs have a bullpen issue, but the offense seems to be bailing them out. However, we've seen this tale before. If the Cubs don't solve their bullpen woes, that could be their Achilles heel during the later months of the season.

2. Cincinnati Reds, 11-11

The Reds have won six of their last ten games, and it appears that their young offensive core is beginning to click. While the Reds are one game behind the Milwaukee Brewers for second place in the National League Central, their bump-up is due to their pitching. While not great, the Reds' pitching staff is more stable than the Brewers' at this moment.

3. Milwaukee Brewers, 12-10

If the Brewers can find stability with their pitching staff, they will likely return to being those pesky Brewers that Cubs fans have grown annoyed with. That's also a scary thought because pitching is often how the Brewers find their way to the top of the division.

4. St. Louis Cardinals, 9-13

Former Cubs catcher Willson Contreras is blaming Cardinals fans for the team's recent poor play, and honestly, this is the outcome he should've expected for the 2025 season. The Cardinals remain in a reset year until the front office redesign takes effect next offseason.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates, 8-15

It just feels like we are biding our time until Paul Skenes is eventually pitching with the Los Angeles Dodgers or New York Yankees.