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Checking the National League Central standings on a Cubs off day

By Dan Schmelzer

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 05: High winds whip the flags on top of the center field scoreboard as the Chicago Cubs take on the New York Yankees at Wrigley Field on May 5, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 05: High winds whip the flags on top of the center field scoreboard as the Chicago Cubs take on the New York Yankees at Wrigley Field on May 5, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Cubs continue to climb the National League Central standings despite having an off day on Thursday.

The Chicago Cubs have won six games in a row out of the All-Star break and continue to climb up the National League Central standings. The Cubs undoubtedly had a poor first half but they are making an aggressive run early in the second half.

Chicago trailed the first-place Milwaukee Brewers by 5.5 games in the National League Central standings at the break. Now, less than a week later, the Cubs only trail the Brewers by one game.

The Cubs are the only NL Central team out of action on Thursday and the other four teams have already finished their games. The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Brewers by a score of 4-2, the St. Louis Cardinals fell to the New York Mets 3-2 and the Cincinnati Reds were destroyed by the Arizona Diamondbacks 12-2. Here are what the standings look like heading into the weekend:

National League Central Standings

Milwaukee Brewers: 52-46
Chicago Cubs: 49-45, 1 GB
Pittsburgh Pirates: 48-48, 3 GB
St. Louis Cardinals: 46-49, 4.5 GB
Cincinnati Reds: 40-55, 10.5 GB

The Cubs have been on fire, winning six games in a row. That coupled with the Brewers’ five game losing streak has put them just a game behind heading into the weekend. The Pirates have also been playing extremely well, winning their last five games, including four in a row against Milwaukee.

The Cubs surging fast in the National League Central standings, but the Pirates are right on their heels. The most interesting NL Central matchup of the weekend will be the Cubs hosting the Cardinals at Wrigley Field. If the Cubs can take care of business in this three-game set, they could easily take the lead in the division and knock the Cardinals far down the totem pole.

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The Brewers have a good opportunity to get back on track, as they travel to take on the 32-61 Philadelphia Phillies over the weekend. The Pirates will have a much tougher weekend, as they head to Coors Field to take on the 56-41 Colorado Rockies. It should be an extremely interesting weekend in the National League Central.

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