#
|
NL Central
|
W
|
L
|
PCT
|
GB
|
HOME
|
AWAY
|
L10
|
||
1
|
|
9
|
3
|
.750
|
–
|
4-2
|
5-1
|
7-3
|
||
2
|
|
7
|
5
|
.583
|
2.0
|
4-2
|
3-3
|
7-3
|
||
3
|
|
7
|
6
|
.538
|
2.5
|
5-3
|
2-3
|
4-6
|
||
4
|
|
6
|
6
|
.500
|
3.0
|
5-1
|
1-5
|
4-6
|
||
5
|
|
5
|
7
|
.417
|
4.0
|
3-3
|
2-4
|
5-5
|
Looking at the standings above 2 things stand out the most to me. The first being that the St. Louis Cardinals will be undoubtedly in the mix again for the NL Central crown. The other mark is that the Chicago Cubs are off to a hot start, one of the best in team history. We all know the stories of the ‘Curse of the Billy Goat’ and how the Cubbies haven’t won a World Series since 1908, and have not reached a World Series since 1945.
At the beginning of this season all the experts had the Cubs labeled as a big time favorite to not only reach the World Series this year, but win the whole darn thing. The Cubs are scattered with young talent, a very sharp pitching staff, a manager that players would die to play for, and finally a front office/GM that has broken one other ‘curse’ in the lore that is MLB. Just ask the Red Sox if you’re not sure I’m talking about.
Even with all that going in their favor it is still very difficult to live up to those expectation, even this early in the season. The Cubs have done just that so far and has not disappointed Cubs Nation. Off to a 9-3 start, admittedly with a long long summer ahead, the Cubs look primed to not only make a playoff run but push for a shot at the NL Pennant. The Cardinals, Giants, Nationals, and even the Mets may have something to say about crowing the Cubs NL Champs already; but until some team steps up and slows down the Cubbies, it could be a great season for Cubs Nation.