NL Central: MLB’s Only Division with Five Winning Teams

Let’s dig into something rare in MLB right now: the NL Central is the only division where every team has a winning record. Everyone’s talking about the division’s depth, talent, and how this race might play out. Cy Young–level pitching, breakout rookies, and some clever payroll decisions are all fueling the Central’s early buzz.

NL Central: A Division With All Winning Teams

So far, no team in the Central has dipped below .500. Cincinnati leads at 18-10. Chicago trails by just 1.5 games, and Pittsburgh sits at 16-13.

The Cardinals are 15-13, and Milwaukee stands at 14-13. This kind of parity hasn’t been the norm lately. The mix of veterans and up-and-comers is making for some of the league’s most watchable baseball right now.

Elite Talent and Rising Stars Define the Start

Paul Skenes—last year’s NL Cy Young winner—anchors the rotation. The division is loaded with young talent like Sal Stewart, Konnor Griffin, and JJ Wetherholt. Meanwhile, Elly De La Cruz and Christian Yelich keep bringing it at the plate with their experience and steady bats.

Stewart’s been a big part of the Reds’ hot start, racking up 29 RBIs in just 28 games. That’s a pace that’s tough to ignore and a big reason Cincinnati’s sitting on top.

Chicago’s only a game and a half back. Pittsburgh hovers just above .500. St. Louis and Milwaukee are right there too, ready to make a move as the season unfolds.

Managers keep mentioning depth and versatility, saying it’s key to stay cool when division games start piling up.

• Sal Stewart leads the division with 29 RBIs in 28 games, sparking Cincinnati’s early surge.
• Konnor Griffin and JJ Wetherholt headline the Central’s exciting young core.
• Elly De La Cruz and Christian Yelich anchor their lineups with a blend of power, speed, and experience.
• Four teams started the year with some of MLB’s smallest payrolls, but they’re all competing hard.
• The Central’s plate discipline jumps out: Cubs (130 walks), Brewers (126), and Reds (119) top NL walk totals. Cardinals and Pirates are right up there too.
• Offseason moves made waves—like the Cubs’ $175 million deal for Alex Bregman and Konnor Griffin’s $140 million, nine-year contract with Pittsburgh. That’s a real statement about wanting to win now and later.

Players and managers keep praising the Central’s depth and athleticism. They call the games gritty and competitive, which feels about right. Last season, three NL Central teams made the playoffs. We’ll see what happens when these teams start squaring off more often—it could get wild.

What to Expect as the NL Central Plays On

As the schedule tightens, the race gets even more compelling. The mix of elite pitching—especially from Skenes—and a strong group of hitters like Stewart, Wetherholt, and Griffin means a couple of wins can shake up the standings fast.

The Cubs, Brewers, Reds, Cardinals, and Pirates all have enough firepower to fight for the top spot. They’re not just chasing the division; playoff positioning is on everyone’s mind as the season rolls on.

Rookies keep making noise, and honestly, it’s hard not to watch. Veterans like De La Cruz and Yelich still bring that steady presence as teams scrap for playoff chances after last year’s wild postseason.

 
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