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NL Central monthly check-up: Cardinals, Cubs, Brewers and more

By Scott Roche

Apr 9, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) laughs with first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (46) during warmups before game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) laughs with first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (46) during warmups before game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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GOODYEAR, ARIZONA – MARCH 10: Spencer Steer #7 of the Cincinnati Reds throws to first base in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 10, 2023 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GOODYEAR, ARIZONA – MARCH 10: Spencer Steer #7 of the Cincinnati Reds throws to first base in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 10, 2023 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds

The feel-good story of the league was the Pittsburgh Pirates, who started the season 20-9. Then May hit and things spiraled backward rather quickly. They won just eight games out of 26 in the month. They did not win a single series until they took the first two games of their series in San Francisco to end the month on a good note.

Just what do we make of the Pirates? They looked like a team that was going to be an issue for the rest of the division and NL this season, but they took a step back in May to what were are used to with them. Andrew McCutchen led them with a .293 average and Jack Suswinski led them in home runs with five, but also struck out 35 times. Overall it was a frustrating month offensively. Mitch Keller was the only reason they won eight games as he won four of his five starts with a 3.00 ERA and 53 strikeouts. After that, there’s very little to get excited about.

Don’t look now, but the Cincinnati Reds finished the month with a winning record at 14-13 after taking the final two games of the month at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. They begin June just three games out of first place, but let’s be honest, are they really a contender? No, they’re just taking advantage of the worst division in baseball to hang around.

One bright spot in May and through the first two months of the season continues to be Spencer Steer. The power-hitting first baseman had eight doubles, six home runs, and 19 RBI. He finished the month slashing .318/.372/.573. Jonathan India had a good month with four home runs and 13 RBI and had a two-homer game against the Chicago Cubs on May 27. If we’re being honest, and why not, Cincinnati’s pitching staff is not very good. Ben Lively went 3-2 with a 1.99 ERA, however, after that, no other hurler won more than one game.

Between these two teams, the Pirates are the only one of the two that can turn things around and make a run at the Brewers, but the Reds are still the Reds, a team that will finish closer to the basement than the top of the division. Pittsburgh needs to stay afloat until they can get Oneil Cruz back from his injury.

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