National League Central Playoff Race Recap
From top to bottom, there’s still plenty of post-All-Star Game intrigue in the National League Central. None of the five teams were completely out of the playoff mix thanks to a third wild-card berth, and the Cardinals put some pressure on the Brewers and added some intrigue by making a strong push throughout June and July.
Firstly, the Brewers are currently in the driver’s seat to win the division, with odds heavily favoring them over the Cardinals. FanGraphs and PECOTA projections also support the Brewers as the favorites, citing their strong performance so far in the season. However, the Cardinals have been making a late-season surge and still have a chance to challenge the Brewers for the top spot.
In terms of the remaining schedule, the Cardinals face a tougher road ahead with a higher-ranked strength of schedule compared to the Brewers. This could play a significant role in determining the ultimate winner of the division, especially with six more head-to-head matchups between the two teams.
Managerial Award Contention
The race for the NL Manager of the Year award is heating up, with Pat Murphy emerging as a frontrunner due to the Brewers’ impressive performance this season. Despite the Phillies’ strong record, Murphy’s impact on the Brewers’ success has not gone unnoticed, making him a favorite to win the award.
On the other hand, the Cubs, Pirates, and Reds seem to be long shots for playoff contention, based on projections from various sources. While the Cubs have a roster with high potential, they still face an uphill battle to secure a postseason spot.
In conclusion, the NL Central playoff race is far from over, with the Brewers and Cardinals battling it out for division supremacy. Additionally, the managerial award race adds another layer of intrigue to the postseason picture, setting the stage for an exciting finish to the season in the National League.
