NL Central: playoffs race, predictions and analysis

NL Central has been a habit in the last 4-5 years and has been one of the highest mid-level divisions and this year was no exception, with just under 20 races left in the Cubs and Brewers and Cardinals contend divisional leadership in a minimum gap of 4 games. Obviously, the first position would bring the Divisional Series divisional team to the Divisional Series, the second could still race on the Rokies for the second post the Wild Card which will almost certainly be hosted by the amazing Arizona D-Backs while the third would only stay the holidays early.

As for the chances of winning I see the Cubs fairly favorite as with 3 and 4 races of advantage and a group of veterans accustomed to playing in this period under certain pressures give me the idea of ​​having an extra gear for the Final rush despite recent results see the Cubs wandering around just around .500. In addition Chicago has superstars like Bryant and Rizzo in the lineup and Arrieta and Lester in the battery of the parties who despite being undergoing a season of underwear are always able to make the difference in a single game, something that in St. Louis and Milwaukee I do not see present , although they have a higher average performance level than the Cubs. Cardinals see them as second in NL Central and good candidates for the second Wild Card as they are enjoying a good period of form thanks mainly to the excellent performance of pitch pitchers. All this has been made possible by Seattle's departure of a Mike Leake in apparent decline in form since the beginning of the season that left space to the excellent Luke Weaver who has already won 6 consecutive starts and a promising Flaherty that with the passing of departures on the launch pad is in continuous improvement. The lineup even though no superstars is performing well though it does too many mistakes in stealing the bases. The main problem of the 11-time world champions is the bullpen is known ... in the postseason air of having bullpen problems many times is fatal, especially when in the role of set-ups and more just recorded failures so far. As for the Brewers I see them as the least equipped team especially because their offensive effectiveness depends largely on their Homeruns of which Thames is leader at 30 and this is also why their home performance is significantly better than the one far from Miller Park (known to be a Homeruns-friendly camp). In the holders of the knockers nobody reaches 300, not even Ryan Braun who is playing well under his great potential reasons why I do not see them constant and therefore unable to pin down a winning streak that will make them jump forward in the standings. The rotation of the champions is good and consistent, led by Davies unfortunately for them lost for the rest of the season a very important piece for injury that responds to the name of Jimmy Nelson. The Brewers bullpen has in the Knebel close with 1.32 of ERA its strength, unfortunately for them they can not say the same as the long and middle relievers, never been able to provide security in the event of early departure of the starter.

It will be a last-blooding battle with an eye on what's going on with the Rokies, direct adrenaline clashes and rivalries that are going to be further tightened with the security that however will end the NL Central will give us emotions.