NL Central Race Heating Up Leading into Trade Deadline
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For the first time in nearly two months, there is a tie atop the National League Central.
With the Milwaukee Brewers winning on Sunday and the Chicago Cubs dropping a game to the Boston Red Sox, the two teams are now tied for first place in the division.
It is the first time Milwaukee has had a share of first place since April 11, which is also the last day that Chicago did not hold sole possession of first place in the division.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 19: Trevor Megill #29 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after the final out of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 19, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 19: Trevor Megill #29 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after the final out of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 19, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.The Brewers entered Monday riding a 10-game winning streak that has seen two sweeps of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals.
Milwaukee has been firing on all cylinders and its second sweep of the Dodgers in less than two weeks proved that the Brew Crew is capable of hanging with anyone.
Final: Brewers 6, Dodgers 5
Remarkable. The Brewers are the first team to sweep a season series of at least 6 with the Dodgers since 2006. And they did it in a span of two weeks. And they've won 10 straight. And they're tied for the best record in baseball.
The record: 59-40 — Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) July 20, 2025
It would seem on the surface that the Cubs have been playing bad baseball and that's why Milwaukee has been able to track them down.
That certainly isn't the case, though, as Chicago's last two series have been series wins over the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.
It's more a case that the Brewers are playing so well, and they've capitalized greatly when the Cubs lose, which has happened just twice in their last seven games.
Too many walks. Too many left on. Back-to-back series wins for the Cubs and a successful start to the home stand.@LukeStuckmeyer and @Wells15Kevin have your postgame show in moments!https://t.co/2ByZkzzbn9 pic.twitter.com/8yMNa36RtK — CHGO Cubs (@CHGO_Cubs) July 20, 2025
The division race will sort itself out, as beginning July 28, the two teams are scheduled to play eight times in 24 days, including five games in four days in mid-August.
The trade deadline is sandwiched between the two series, so both teams could look a bit different during the five-game series.
Regardless of how similar or different the teams look after the trade deadline, the NL Central race is shaping up to be one of the best to keep tabs on for the remainder of the season.
More MLB: Cardinals Sonny Gray, Miles Mikolas Reveal Trade Decision After Ongoing Buzz: Report
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