It was a near-certainty before the season began that the NL Central would be one of the closest divisions in all of baseball. After all, the division yielded a surprise title-winner in the Brewers, a World Series champ in the Cardinals, and the league's MVP in Ryan Braun.
And this season, the division's outlook remains similarly in question. The defending champs are ahead early, while last year's division champs, the Brewers, haven't quite been living up to expectations.
Through one month, it's shaping up to be a heck of a race in one of baseball's most competitive divisions, top to bottom. Here's a look at each of the teams in the NL Central:
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Standings: 1st in the division, 16-10 overall, 0 GB
Team MVP through one month: David Freese
Outlook: The defending champs have looked like, well, defending champs through one month. Only the Braves have been scored as many runs as the Cardinals (142), and only the Rangers have a better batting average. And that's all without Albert Pujols and former manager Tony La Russa. The only thing more impressive than St. Louis' offensive output though has been the performance of its pitching staff, as the Cardinals rotation has the third-lowest ERA in the majors. And that's without Chris Carpenter or Adam Wainwright at the top of their games. The Cardinals are definitely the favorite to win the tight NL Central through one month.
CINCINNATI REDS
Standings: 2nd in the division, 13-12 overall, 2.5 GB
Team MVP through one month: Jay Bruce
Outlook: The Reds haven't quite hit on all cylinders just yet, and that's caused some who picked Cincinnati as their winners in the division to backtrack on their preseason predictions. That'll happen when you score 44 less runs that the division leaders through one month. But the Reds have shown some signs of really getting into, especially with how well outfielder Jay Bruce has hit the ball this season. The majority of the positives, however, have come from where Cincinnati least expected it: the rotation. Johnny Cueto has looked like the ace that the Reds wanted newcomer Mat Latos to be, with a 1.31 ERA and four wins to his name. The Reds are only a few games back and still very much have the potential to be contenders.
HOUSTON ASTROS
Standings: Tied for 3rd in the division, 12-14 overall, 4.0 GB
Team MVP through one month: Jose Altuve
Outlook: The Astros had the look of being one of the worst teams in the National League, but Houston has surprised through one month, just four games back of the former world champs. A lot of that has to do with a better-than-expected offensive attack bolstered by young potential. Pint-sized second baseman Jose Altuve has been a pleasant surprise, hitting better than anyone else at his position. Other young talent like J.D. Martinez and Jed Lowrie has also impressed through the first month, and although the ceiling seems pretty low for the Astros, we might only be seeing the beginning of what Houston can do.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Standings: Tied for 3rd in the division, 12-14 overall, 4.0 GB
Team MVP through one month: Ryan Braun
Outlook: The Brewers lost Prince Fielder and the expectations lowered considerably, but still, Milwaukee hasn't quite played at the level it's capable of. The pitching rotation is the main culprit of those deficiencies so far with the worst ERA in the national league. The bats have started to get it going, with Braun particularly hot in the last two weeks. But as the last week unfolded, the Brewers have begun battling with a new problem: the injury bug. Mat Gamel is out for the season, joining pitcher Chris Narveson with that distinction, while Carlos Gomez and Alex Gonzalez are headed to the 15-day DL. It's hard to win a division with an offense full of fill-ins, so the Brewers will have to get healthy and fast to not let the division get too far out of reach.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Standings: 5th in the division, 11-15, 5.0 GB
Team MVP through one month: Pedro Alvarez
Outlook: The Pirates started last year as a team that looked on the verge of breaking its long history of losing seasons. But as that faded away, the Pirates began to look like a team with a pretty low ceiling. Through April, Pittsburgh has looked like a team with some pieces in place, but still a low ceiling. Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen has been a bit slow out of the gate, but young third baseman Pedro Alvarez has shown his potential as a power hitter with seven home runs and 15 RBI already. Still, however, the Pirates have scored the least runs in the major leagues. The pitching rotation has shown signs of being a pleasant surprise, but that was the case last year as well. Longevity and consistency will be the key with the Pirates going forward — like it is every year, it seems like.
CHICAGO CUBS
Standings: 6th in the division, 10-16, 6.0 GB
Team MVP through one month: Bryan LaHair
Outlook: The Cubs are still a team several pieces away from contending for a playoff spot, but there have been some pleasant surprises so far. Cleanup hitter Bryan LaHair has been on an absolute tear at the plate to start the season, hitting .380 with seven home runs and 16 RBI. The same can be said for shortstop Starlin Castro, who has been living up to his sky-high expectations so far. Beyond those two though, it's been an absolute struggle to score runs. The pitching staff has had some bright spots, as well, with Matt Garza and Jeff Samardzija carrying the load. But again, it's pretty clear already that the Cubs are at least a year away.
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