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National League Central labeled most 'chaotic' by MLB expert originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The National League Central has proven to be a division that could come down to the wire. All five teams are over .500, with the Chicago Cubs (24-12) leading the St. Louis Cardinals by 2.5 games.
The Cardinals have been a surprise this season, as they were in a retooling period. Outfielder Jordan Walker is putting together an All-Star-type season, hitting .308 with a .961 OPS, while right-hander Michael McGreevy has been one of their best starters, 2-2 with a 2.52 ERA in seven starts.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have also shown some fight (19-17 and sit five games out). Spending money in the offseason has proved to pay off, with outfielder/first baseman Ryan O'Hearn hitting .301 with a .848 OPS and five home runs in 34 games.
The National League Central is one of the most "chaotic" divisions in Major League Baseball
According to MLB.com's Will Leitch, the National League Central is considered the third-most chaotic division in Major League Baseball, with a score of 7/10. The Pirates' and Cardinals' successes this season are the reason for the high rating, which would be higher if a team other than the Cubs were leading the division.
"But the Pirates, a team that hasn’t had a winning record since 2018 and hasn’t won a playoff series since 1979?" wrote Leitch. "Or even more surprising, the Cardinals, a team that was explicitly entering a rebuild, one that traded away just about every recognizable name it had? Some of these teams will fall off as the season goes along -- Right? Right? -- but as of now, the usually nondescript NL Central simply will not stop winning."
More News:Marlins make expected decision on veteran right-hander
The Reds (20-16) have seen infielder Sal Stewart be one of the better hitters in baseball, even though he's a rookie. In 36 games, Stewart is hitting .252 with a .831 OPS and sits in the top 10 for home runs (nine). Sadly, for the Reds, they will be without their closer Emilio Pagan, who left Tuesday night's game against the Cubs after suffering a hamstring injury while throwing a pitch.
The trade deadline (Aug. 3) should be interesting, with all five teams looking like sellers rather than buyers.
More News:
- Phillies' Aaron Nola did his job versus the Marlins
- Braves' Matt Olson continues to build his case for the NL MVP
- Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll is positioning himself to win the NL MVP
- Mike Trout's resurgence with Angels has him primed to win the AL MVP
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