For most of this offseason, the National League Central was thought to have just two potential playoff contenders: the Milwaukee Brewers (the 2025 division champions) and Chicago Cubs.

It's still early in the season, but so far the NL Central is looking like one of the toughest divisions in baseball.

Entering Wednesday, the Cincinnati Reds sit atop the division with a 16-8 record; the Cubs have a 14-9 mark; the St. Louis Cardinals have a 14-9 record; the Brewers are 13-9 and the Pittsburgh Pirates, despite being last in the division, still have a 13-10 record.