NL Central Discussion 2026

[markedman5]

For some reason I have a hard time putting much stock in fangraphs and pecota projection systems……….not sure why as a Brewers fan I feel that way……😎

[Lathund]

11 hours ago, BruisedCrew said:

Over the last 10 days the Cardinals have moved solidly into second place.

Is everyone still as sure as they were that the Cardinals are a bad team that will collapse as the season moves on. 

Collapse? No. But they also aren't as good as their record. They have the run differential of a .500 team, their pitching is not good. They are where they are due to sequencing, record in 1-run games, and through the luck of barely having any injuries. Clearly they are better than what was expected before the season. Maybe they can sneak a wild card spot. But legit division contenders? No. 

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

Should we start a CC watch?  Crazy to think that outside of their 210 game-winning streaks, they are 20 games under 500

[wallus]

26 minutes ago, TwinsBrewersWorldSeries said:

Should we start a CC watch?  Crazy to think that outside of their 210 game-winning streaks, they are 20 games under 500

That's gotta be some kind of record 

[Lathund]

CC is still owed another $20m, and I imagine that Jed Hoyer's future is also closely tied to him. It was such a "prestige" signing, and they invested a lot (financial and otherwise) in it. Firing him now would be a condemnation of Hoyer's own strategy really, and you'd think the Cubs would be reluctant to have him find the next manager too. I think that if Greg goes, so does Hoyer. So it won't happen now. They really should move on from Hoyer in the offseason though; a midseason change there is tougher, with (probably) only internal candidates available. 

I remember being quite happy when they extended Hoyer. Not because he's terrible, but because I don't think he can make them a winning team. Doesn't really work in a big market way to use resources to win (Dombrowski style), and not in the analytical Rays/Brewers type way. Rather incorporates elements from both, but takes the worst of each, instead of (like the Dodgers) the best. Might luck into a good year or two, but that front office isn't going to create a consistent winner without some real changes. 

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

1 hour ago, wallus said:

That's gotta be some kind of record 

Webb’s free burgers for a decade?

[markedman5]

Devin locks down the save…….Mets beat the Cards 5-4

[RWeeksFan23]

Bregman finally comes through with RISP, hitting a two-run homer in Coors just now.

[AdvantageSchneider]

Like I thought earlier you can stick a fork in the Reds.  4 games under .500 10.5 games out of first and the bullpen is a disaster.  Pretty much every time I look at them their bullpen is blowing a lead.  They might get De la Cruz back this week but he's not a relief pitcher so it won't matter.

Heard an interesting stat about the Cubs this week.  Their AAA pitching staff has the worst ERA in the international league and the 3rd worst ERA in all of AAA which is hard to do considering how much of a hitters league the PCL is.  So it would seem the cubs are unlikely to get any pitching reinforcements from their farm system.  

[owbc]

This Cubs/Rockies game is a top notch hate watch on an off day. I almost feel bad for Counsell…almost. 

 

[LouisEly]

18 minutes ago, owbc said:

This Cubs/Rockies game is a top notch hate watch on an off day. I almost feel bad for Counsell…almost. 

 

Until the Rockies bullpen blows it.  Two walks and an error on the pitcher in the 9th to load the bases with nobody out.

[LouisEly]

...aaaaaannnd the Rockies don't even get an out in the 9th.  3 walks, 1 error, 1 single.

[markedman5]

 

[Samurai Bucky]

1 hour ago, markedman5 said:

 

The Cubs have another pitcher on the IL...

... and the Pope is Cath... I mean is a White Sox fan.

[RWeeksFan23]

Edward Cabrera left the game today, potentially aggravating the prior blister issue he had.

[Jopal78]

On 6/11/2026 at 8:29 AM, Lathund said:

CC is still owed another $20m, and I imagine that Jed Hoyer's future is also closely tied to him. It was such a "prestige" signing, and they invested a lot (financial and otherwise) in it. Firing him now would be a condemnation of Hoyer's own strategy really, and you'd think the Cubs would be reluctant to have him find the next manager too. I think that if Greg goes, so does Hoyer. So it won't happen now. They really should move on from Hoyer in the offseason though; a midseason change there is tougher, with (probably) only internal candidates available. 

I remember being quite happy when they extended Hoyer. Not because he's terrible, but because I don't think he can make them a winning team. Doesn't really work in a big market way to use resources to win (Dombrowski style), and not in the analytical Rays/Brewers type way. Rather incorporates elements from both, but takes the worst of each, instead of (like the Dodgers) the best. Might luck into a good year or two, but that front office isn't going to create a consistent winner without some real changes. 

They won’t fire Counsell this season regardless. He has 2 years left and managers usually aren’t left as lame ducks, and there’s little to no chance he gets extended, so he probably would be on the hot seat in 2027.

The injuries to pitchers are tough but I wonder if the Cubs would’ve been better off fortifying their rotation than signing Bregman especially when they had a young player with promise at 3B already. 

[RWeeksFan23]

48 minutes ago, Jopal78 said:

They won’t fire Counsell this season regardless. He has 2 years left and managers usually aren’t left as lame ducks, and there’s little to no chance he gets extended, so he probably would be on the hot seat in 2027.

The injuries to pitchers are tough but I wonder if the Cubs would’ve been better off fortifying their rotation than signing Bregman especially when they had a young player with promise at 3B already. 

yeah, i was actually kind of happy in the off-season when they gave Bregman that big contract.

Pretty average player, and minimal upgrade over Shaw. They needed pitching much more than a minimal 3B upgrade.

[SeaBass]

13 hours ago, Samurai Bucky said:

... and the Pope is Cath... I mean is a White Sox fan.

Ohhhh, it makes sense now.

[Brian]

2 hours ago, Jopal78 said:

They won’t fire Counsell this season regardless. He has 2 years left and managers usually aren’t left as lame ducks, and there’s little to no chance he gets extended, so he probably would be on the hot seat in 2027.

The injuries to pitchers are tough but I wonder if the Cubs would’ve been better off fortifying their rotation than signing Bregman especially when they had a young player with promise at 3B already. 

Cubs top brass thought they would screw over the Brewers by making a 40 million $$ offer to Counsell plus steal some Brewers coaches.  I am so glad the Cubs are on the struggle bus. We need to worry more about StL. 

Hope the Cubs end up like the Mets.  Just poorly run, with a lot of money 🤑 

[Samurai Bucky]

6 hours ago, Jopal78 said:

They won’t fire Counsell this season regardless. He has 2 years left and managers usually aren’t left as lame ducks, and there’s little to no chance he gets extended, so he probably would be on the hot seat in 2027.

The injuries to pitchers are tough but I wonder if the Cubs would’ve been better off fortifying their rotation than signing Bregman especially when they had a young player with promise at 3B already. 

One thing that surprises me is how many baserunning blunders they have had.  They take extra bases at the wrong time, get picked off more than I would expect.  Quintin Berry is coaching the baserunning aspect, IIRC.

I don't have any tangible data for my thoughts though...