National League Central
Chicago Cubs (10-8, .556, – GB)
Last Week: 2-1 vs. Brewers, 2-1 at Reds
- Home Record: 4-5
- Road Record: 6-3
- Runs Scored: 89
- Runs Allowed: 80
- Run Differential: +9
- Streak: Lost 1
- Last 10: 5-5
Next Week: April 24-26 at Pirates, April 28-30 at Red Sox
Cincinnati Reds (10-9, .526, 0.5 GB)
Last Week: 1-2 vs. Orioles, 1-2 vs. Cubs
- Home Record: 5-8
- Road Record: 5-1
- Runs Scored: 92
- Runs Allowed: 77
- Run Differential: +15
- Streak: Won 1
- Last 10: 3-7
Next Week: April 24-26 at Brewers, April 28-30 at Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals (9-10, .474, 1.5 GB)
Last Week: 3-0 vs. Pirates, 3-1 at Brewers
- Home Record: 5-4
- Road Record: 4-6
- Runs Scored: 69
- Runs Allowed: 82
- Run Differential: -13
- Streak: Won 3
- Last 10: 6-4
Next Week: April 25-27 vs. Blue Jays, April 28-30 vs. Reds
Milwaukee Brewers (9-11, .450, 2 GB)
Last Week: 1-2 at Cubs, 1-3 vs. Cardinals
- Home Record: 3-8
- Road Record: 6-3
- Runs Scored: 91
- Runs Allowed: 92
- Run Differential: -1
- Streak: Lost 3
- Last 10: 4-6
Next Week: April 24-26 vs. Reds, April 28-30 vs. Braves
Pittsburgh Pirates (8-10, .444, 2 GB)
Last Week: 0-3 vs. Reds, 0-1 at Red Sox, 0-3 at Cubs
- Home Record: 5-4
- Road Record: 3-6
- Runs Scored: 62
- Runs Allowed: 78
- Run Differential: -16
- Streak: Won 1
- Last 10: 5-5
Next Week: April 24-26 vs. Cubs, April 28-30 at Marlins
The Cubs are back! Back in first place, at least. Though Chicago entered the week ice cold after being swept by the Pirates at Wrigley Field, and then dropped Monday’s clash with Milwaukee, the Cubs rushed back to the top of the Central on the strength of four straight wins. The starting rotation was roughed up a bit in the process, but Chicago averaged 8.5 runs per game during the four-game winning streak.
Cincinnati was on the wrong end of two of those Cubs wins: a close 6-5 loss Friday and a 12-8 decision Saturday. The Reds were able to pick up a win Sunday to avoid the sweep and stop a losing streak that had grown to four following two pitiful offensive performances against the Orioles. After a 9-3 win against Baltimore to start the week, the Reds lost 2-0 and 2-1. A bright spot in the 2-0 loss was Amir Garrett’s 12 strikeouts.
Before the season started, last week had the look of a rough one for the Brewers with seven games against the defending champion Cubs and the projected second-best team in the division, the St. Louis Cardinals. However, given the hot streak Milwaukee was on heading into the week, and the way the Cards were struggling, there was plenty of reasons for Brewers fans to be optimistic.
Nevertheless, despite Eric Thames’ best efforts, Milwaukee took a step back in the standings with a 2-5 week. As a result, the Cardinals are now one of the hottest teams in baseball. St. Louis hosted the Pirates and swept Pittsburgh in three consecutive 2-1 games before traveling to Milwaukee to take three out of four against the Brewers.
The Pirates received terrible news Tuesday when they learned star center fielder Starling Marte had been suspended 80 games for a failed a PED drug test. The loss is a huge one for the lowest scoring team in the National League.