NL Central Standings (screenshot via MLB.com)

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds sit six games ahead of the the second place team in the Central. They’ve won four straight games, including Tuesday night against the Mets, 3-0.

Jay Bruce played hero in the win over the Mets Tuesday night when he hit the game-winning three run home run in the bottom of the ninth.

The win against the Mets came after the Reds won three out of four in Chicago last weekend. They’ll play two more against the Mets Wednesday and Thursday. The Reds play the Cubs once again this weekend, only this time around it will be in Cincinnati.

Read C-ing Red for all the latest on the Reds.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates are the team sitting six games behind Cincinnati. As of now, they hold the second wild card spot for the National League.

Pittsburgh has lost four of their last five games, including the first two in a four-game set against the Dodgers. The most recent loss was Tuesday night when the Pirates lost, 11-0.

The game was quite rough for Pittsburgh as Chad Billingsley pitched eight innings, giving up just five hits. Pittsburgh trailed 6-0 heading into the ninth inning when Chad Qualls gave up five runs (four earned) to put the game out of reach.

There will be two more chances for the Pirates to get a win in the series. They’ll need to get a win as they prepare for a trip to St. Louis this weekend for three games with the Cardinals.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals obviously have a big opportunity to gain ground on the Pirates when the two face each other this weekend. But first, St. Louis needs to finish their series with the Diamondbacks.

St. Louis won Tuesday night over Arizona, 8-2. The Cardinals needed the win after losing two of three to the Phillies, last weekend. St. Louis has two more games with the Diamondbacks before their series with Pittsburgh.

Make sure you read Aaron Miles Fastball for all the fun Cardinals stuff going on.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers lost again Thursday night. They scored three runs in the ninth inning, but it wasn’t enough as they lost to the Rockies, 8-6. With their Monday night loss, the Brewers have lost the series. They will try to avoid the sweep Wednesday.

If you’re interested in writing about the Brewers, check out this link here to find out more.

Chicago Cubs

Honestly, I’ve lost interest in the Cubs. It’s a lost season. There’s no need to get riled up about their struggles. It happens! At this point, the only interest I really have is seeing how the young talent is playing.

The Cubs lost Tuesday night to Houston, 10-1. I’d be mad because Houston is in last place, but again, it’s a lost season. I’m just so indifferent at this point. I’m ready for football season.

Chicago wraps up their series with Houston Wednesday. Then they get ready to play four games against Cincinnati this weekend.

Read A League Of Her Own for all the latest on the Cubs. I’m pretty sure they are less indifferent than I.

Houston Astros

Well they did win Tuesday night, but they’re still way far back in the Central. The magic number for Houston is 14. That 14 is games left before they are eliminated from playoff contention. So unless the rest of the teams in the Central get food poisoning and the Astros get hot, I wouldn’t count much on a comeback.

After the Cubs series, Houston will be home this weekend to play Arizona.

Make sure you read Tales From the Juice Box for all the latest on the Astros.