Chicago Cubs sit atop one of the most ‘chaotic’ divisions in MLB

As of May 6, the Chicago Cubs sit in first place in the National League Central (24-12).

The National League Central has proven to be one of the better divisions in Major League Baseball. The St. Louis Cardinals are two-and-a-half games behind the Cubs, and the Cincinnati Reds are four games back.

The Cubs have the players on the roster to compete this season. But with the Central so “chaotic,” adding at the trade deadline will help set the Cubs apart from everyone else.

The Chicago Cubs adding to the right areas of the roster at the trade deadline will be key to competing in a “chaotic” NL Central

According to MLB.com’s Will Leitch, the National League Central is considered the third-most chaotic division in Major League Baseball, with a score of 7/10. Per Leitch, if the Cubs weren’t leading the Central, it would’ve ranked higher, as all five teams are over .500.

“The Cubs are atop this division, which most people predicted. That’s the only reason this division isn’t in one of the top two spots on this list,” wrote Leitch. “But the notion that all five teams in the NL Central — the NL Central! Of all divisions! — would be above .500 a week into May would have been thought of as absurd. All five teams over .500? How is that even possible? The Brewers are the three-time defending division champions, so it’s not that shocking that they’d be a winning team, and the Reds were in the playoffs last year, even if hardly anyone remembers seeing them there thanks to a two-game NL Wild Card Series sweep.”

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Adding at the trade deadline (Aug. 3) will be critical for the Cubs to separate themselves from the rest of the division. The offense is in good shape, as it’s the fourth-best in batting average (.258) and OPS (.780), but the starting rotation could use another arm.

Left-hander Shota Imanaga and right-hander Edward Cabrera have been great to open the season. Imanaga is 3-2 with a 2.40 ERA in seven starts, while Cabrera is 3-0 with a 3.27 ERA.

But the rotation has seen its fair share of injuries. Right-hander Cade Horton will miss the rest of the season due to Tommy John surgery, while left-hander Justin Steele suffered a setback in his throwing program, delaying his return.

With left-handers Matthew Boyd (6.00 ERA) and right-hander Jameson Taillon (4.24 ERA) struggling, possibly adding another top-tier starter could put the Cubs over the top.

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