CHICAGO CUBS (55-38, 1ST PLACE, NL
CENTRAL)
BIG PICTURE: The Cubs have had their ups and downs,
including two five-game losing streaks. However, after spending most of the
season trailing the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central, the Cubs
have moved into first place by winning 12 of their past 15 games.
BEST PERFORMANCE: Everything has come together for
supremely talented infielder Javier Baez, whose fan appeal is
likened by manager Joe Maddon to The Beatles. Indeed, Baez is so
popular that the fans voted him into the All-Star Game as the NL’s
starting second baseman. The 25-yearold infielder leads the league with 72 RBI
to go with a .292 batting average, 19 home runs and 18 stolen bases in 91
games.
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Long considered a defense-first player,
Albert Almora Jr. is batting .319 with a .357 on-base percentage.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
Right-hander Yu Darvish was signed to a
six-year, $126 million contract in free agency despite his World Series
meltdown last fall. He is on the disabled list because of a sore
elbow.
TRADE-DEADLINE FORECAST
While the Cubs have been linked to Baltimore Orioles
shortstop Manny Machado since May, the primary focus is on adding a starting
pitcher. Toronto Blue Jays lefty J.A. Happ is a possibility.
KEY SERIES: vs. Milwaukee Brewers Sept. 10-12
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (55-43, 2ND PLACE, NL CENTRAL)
BIG PICTURE: The Brewers led the National League
Central for most of the first half until losing eight of their last 10 games
before the All-Star break and ceding first place to the Chicago Cubs. However,
the Brewers have the look of a contenders, and it seems likely the two I-94
rivals will battle to the wire for the division title.
BEST PERFORMANCE: Center fielder Lorenzo Cain was
signed to a five-year, $80 million contract as a free agent in January and has
been worth the money. The former Kansas City Royals standout is hitting
.293 with 18 stolen bases.
BIGGEST SURPRISE: First baseman Jesus Aguilar looked
as if he might be the victim of a roster squeeze in spring training despite
hitting 16 home runs as a rookie last season. However, the 28-year-old not only
made the opening-day roster, he was selected to his first All-Star Game after a
big first half. His 24 homers lead the league.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Shortstop Orlando
Arcia finds himself at Class AAA Colorado Springs (Colo.) after
hitting .197.
TRADE-DEADLINE FORECAST: The Brewers are in
win-now mode. Though the biggest need would seem to be a top-of-the-rotation
starting pitcher, they have been linked to Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny
Machado.
KEY SERIES: vs. Chicago Cubs Sept. 3-5
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (48-46, 3RD PLACE, NL CENTRAL)
BIG PICTURE: Only a game over .500 and fearing the
season was slipping away, the Cardinals fired manager Mike Matheny after a loss
to the Cincinnati Reds with one day left before the All-Star break. Bench coach Mike
Shildt was named interim manager following a purge that included
hitting Coach John Mabry and assistant hitting coach Bill Mueller. The
Cardinals lost 10 of their last 15 games under Matheny and are 24-24 at home.
BEST PERFORMANCE: Matt Carpenter got off
to an awful start but has rebounded to hit .263 with a club-high 19 home
runs. In March and April, Carpenter batted .155.
BIGGEST SURPRISE: After spending the previous three
seasons in Japan, right-hander Miles Mikolas is 10-3 with a
2.79 ERA and was selected to the All-Star Game. In his previous three major
league seasons, he was 4-6 with a 5.32 ERA in 37 games.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Right fielder Dexter
Fowler is hitting .176, easily the worst season of his 11-year career.
He lost considerable playing time before the managerial change.
TRADE-DEADLINE FORECAST: The Cardinals will see
how the team responds to Shildt before deciding on a deadline strategy.
However, if the struggles continue, the club is expected to begin a major
retooling.
KEY SERIES: at Chicago Cubs July 19-22 (five games)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (48-49, 4TH PLACE, NL CENTRAL)
BIG PICTURE: The Pirates were nine games over .500 on
May 17 and in first place in the National League Central despite trading their
star players, right-hander Gerrit Cole and center fielder Andrew McCutchen, in
the offseason. However, the Pirates lost 31 of their next 45 games. Going 8-1
before the All-Star break was a nice way to finish the first half but not
enough to truly push Pittsburgh back into contention.
BEST PERFORMANCE: Starling Marte has
bounced back from a suspension-marred 2017 to hit .285 with 13 home runs
to go along with a majors-leading 25 stolen bases. A two-time Gold Glove winner
as a left fielder, Marte has made a flawless transition to center as McCutchen’s
replacement.
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Catcher Elias Diaz has
shined in his first full season in the major leagues, ably filling in as the
starter during Francisco Cervelli’s multiple stints on the disabled
list and hitting .283 with seven homers.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Sean Rodriguez’s career
appears to be on its last legs. The 33-year-old utility player had a .145
batting average before being placed on the disabled list June 25 because of a
strained right quadriceps.
TRADE-DEADLINE FORECAST: Despite their recent
surge, the Pirates will look to trade veterans for prospects or salary relief.
KEY SERIES: at Milwaukee Brewers Aug. 24-26
CINCINNATI REDS (43-53, 5TH PLACE, NL
CENTRAL)
BIG PICTURE: The Reds seemed ensured of a fourth
consecutive last-place finish in the National League Central when they began
the season 3-15 and manager Bryan Price was fired, replaced on an interim basis
by bench coach Jim Riggleman . However, the Reds have played much
better since the switch, going 40-38. While the Reds plan to conduct a manager
search at the end of the season, Riggleman certainly has put himself in the mix
for the job.
BEST PERFORMANCE: Despite being in fifth place, three
of the Reds’ four starting infielders were selected for the All-Star Game.
Second baseman Scooter Gennett is hitting an NL-leading .326,
putting him a notch above first baseman Joey Votto and third
baseman Eugenio Suarez.
BIGGEST SURPRISE; The fourth member of the infield, shortstop
Jose Peraza, was a question mark coming into the season. But he’s hitting
.293 with 17 stolen bases.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Right-hander Homer
Bailey will make the transition from starting pitcher into $21
million long reliever after the All-Star break. He has been out since May 30
because of a sore right knee.
TRADE-DEADLINE FORECAST Right-hander Matt
Harvey is the only notable player eligible for free agency at the end
of the season and could be dealt.
KEY SERIES: at Chicago Cubs Aug. 23-26 and Sept.
14-16
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