NL Central Standings (Screenshot via MLB.com)

The pennant races around baseball are in full effect and that most certainly includes the NL Central.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds are sitting pretty at the top of the NL Central, which probably means everyone hates them. They picked up the win Tuesday night, 5-2, against the Diamondbacks.

The Reds have a seven-game lead on the Cardinals. So as long as they don’t do anything stupid, they’ll likely be a lock for the playoffs.

Cincy goes for the sweep against the Diamondbacks Wednesday and will head to Houston for the weekend. I was going to mention the time zone change, but I know Arizona has their own time zone and refuses to acknowledge daylight savings time. GET WITH THE PROGRAM, ARIZONA!

You can read more on the Reds at C-ing Red.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals are still a ways behind the the Reds in the Central. But if any team can inexplicably make the comeback and win the division, it’s probably the Cardinals. They’re sneaky and I don’t like it. They shouldn’t be in the playoffs! They have enough World Series titles.

I’m annoyed by them: their jerseys, their hats, their ballpark name, their two first names for  full name players (like Allen Craig and Jon Jay) and so on. I’M EVEN ANNOYED HOW THEY NEVER WIPE THEIR FEET!

Okay, that might be too much, but I think you understand my frustrations.

Much to my delight, the Cardinals lost Tuesday night to the Pirates, 9-0. They wrap up the series with Pittsburgh Wednesday and venture to Washington this weekend.

For all your latest Cardinals news, check out Aaron Miles’ Fastball.

Pittsburgh Pirates

It has not been a good month for the Pirates. It’s like someone threw them in the microwave (Cardinals) and decided to melt them. The Pirates are 9-16 this month and have lost 7 of their last 10 games.

They did get the 9-0 win over St. Louis, which I’m still delighted by. With the series tied 1-1, the Pirates will try and go for the win Wednesday. Friday, they start a weekend series at Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers got the win over the Flubs Tuesday night. For some reason, this team has decided to play some good baseball as of late. They had a great series against Pittsburgh last weekend and have in fact won 7 of 10.

I don’t know that the Brewers will make the ultimate comeback and clinch a playoff berth, but it will be fun to see how they finish the year. Plus they do have a couple meetings with playoff contenders. Maybe they can play spoiler!

Milwaukee plays two more with Chicago and will head home for the weekend to face Pittsburgh.

Chicago Cubs

Can we please just simulate the rest of the season for the Cubs? It’s pointless! They’re done! I’d rather they just simulate the rest of the year. I understand they have to go through the motions. I’m just ready for it to end. By next weekend, they will likely be eliminated mathematically from the playoffs.

The only bright spot has been Chris Volstad ending his losing streak, which dates back to July 2011.

They’ll play two more against Milwaukee and host San Francisco this weekend.

For all Cubs news and analysis, read A League of Her Own.

Houston Astros

The Astros are pitiful! They’re the only team in baseball that is mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

Of course, things are changing in Houston. Brad Mills was fired a couple weeks ago.

If that’s not enough, there’s talk of possibly bringing Roger Clemens back into the fold. What a great idea, bringing back some 50-year-old pitcher! Was Warren Spahn not available?

Houston has lost three straight, including Tuesday night to San Francisco, 3-2. They play two more against the Giants and host the Reds this weekend.

Read more about the Astros at Tales From the Juice Box.