NL Central standings ordered by run differential: Maybe the Cubs aren't as bad as we feared

NL Central standings ordered by run differential: #3 - Cincinnati Reds

The National League Central's hottest team - the surging Cincinnati Reds - are winners of nine straight and carry a half-game lead into action Tuesday against the Rockies.

Veteran clubhouse leader Joey Votto returned with a bang in the opener and rookie Elly De La Cruz continues to impress in his first taste of big league action. Despite their recent hot streak, the Reds still have a -18 run differential on the season, the fifth-worst mark in the National League.

Cincinnati ranks fifth in the league in runs and sit pretty middle of the pack in terms of OPS - but have the second-best on-base percentage in the NL. The Reds' starting rotation has been abysmal, ranking 14th in ERA (and it's not like the relief corps has been much better) - so this one can be chalked up firmly to an issue keeping runs off the board, not putting them up.

Flame-throwing right-hander Hunter Greene hit the IL this week, which will do the Reds zero favors. Averaging north of 12 strikeouts per nine, Greene has been a solid piece for Cincinnati this season and they'll have to find a way to keep the ship afloat till he returns (because the staff has barely managed to keep it from sinking even with him in the mix).