Cubs still have a way to catch Brewers in NL Central, and remaining schedule shows how

The Chicago Cubs were the talk of the National League (NL) Central early on this season. They held first place for a total of 21 days, in large part due to a pair of 10 game winning streaks throughout the months of April and early May. However, a 13-16 month of May and 2-6 beginning of June opened the doors for the Milwaukee Brewers, who have now held first place for 99 days and own the best record in baseball.

Yet, entering play on Aug. 10, the Cubs remain within striking distance, trailing the Brewers by just 5.5 games. A five-game winning streak by Chicago helped close the gap, but their recent success goes beyond that stretch. The Cubs are 12-5 over their last 17 games and have 69 wins on the season.

That said, the upcoming schedules could give Chicago an opportunity to make up even more ground. More importantly, the Cubs and Brewers still have seven head-to-head games remaining, meaning the NL Central race is far from decided and remains firmly within Chicago’s reach.

Despite the Milwaukee Brewers brilliance, the Chicago Cubs still have a clear path to winning the National League Central

In the immediate future, the Cubs appear to have a much more favorable schedule than the Brewers. Chicago will be facing the Nationals, Cardinals, White Sox and Mariners. Of those five, only the White Sox currently occupy a postseason spot.

Milwaukee, meanwhile, has a much tougher stretch ahead. The Brewers are heading out west to face the Padres and Dodgers. They will then return home for series against the Mariners and Braves. In total, Milwaukee is scheduled to face two teams currently in playoff position, Los Angeles and Atlanta, while San Diego and Seattle are hovering just outside the postseason picture.

If Chicago can take care of business during this stretch, it could significantly close the gap on Milwaukee before the two teams even meet again. The Cubs and Brewers are scheduled for a crucial four-game series at Wrigley Field from Aug. 31 through Sept. 3, followed by three more games at American Family Field from Sept. 7-9.

With seven head-to-head games still remaining, there is plenty of time for the division race to swing in Chicago’s favor. If the Cubs can continue gaining ground and capitalize when they face Milwaukee directly, they could put themselves in position to deny the Brewers a fourth consecutive NL Central title.

Importantly, if the Brewers and Cubs finish the season with identical records, the first tiebreaker is head-to-head record. Milwaukee currently holds that advantage, winning four of the teams’ six meetings so far. That makes the seven remaining head-to-head matchups even more significant. Not only could those games determine the division winner outright, but they could also prove decisive if the two teams ultimately finish the season tied in the standings.

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