Cubs Standings Update: Chicago Leaps Into NL Central Lead After Weekend Sweep

The Chicago Cubs tightened the National League Central race over the weekend, trimming Milwaukee’s edge to just two games after Sunday’s 5-3 win over Baltimore at Wrigley Field. With a 64-46 record (.582), Chicago sits second in the division behind the Brewers (66-44) but remains firmly in postseason position—either by overtaking Milwaukee or by claiming the NL’s top Wild Card spot. Surging Since the Break Manager Craig Counsell’s club has gone 9-3 since the All-Star break, fueled by a revitalized rotation. Rookie right-hander Cade Horton (5-1, 2.57 ERA) delivered seven scoreless innings Friday, while veteran Justin Steele lowered his season ERA to 2.91 with six strong frames Saturday. The staff’s 2.98 ERA in the second half ranks third in MLB, a dramatic turnaround from its pre-break 4.17 mark. Offensive Balance Keeping Pace Chicago’s lineup is getting contributions up and down the card. Cody Bellinger’s two-homer week pushed him to 25 long balls, and Seiya Suzuki is slashing .318/.396/.545 since July 1. Perhaps most encouraging, Dansby Swanson’s slick defense continues to anchor the infield while his OPS has climbed 40 points in the past ten games. The Cubs’ +86 run differential now trails only the Dodgers and Braves in the National League. Standings Snapshot NL Central 1. Milwaukee Brewers 66-44 (.600) 2. Chicago Cubs 64-46 (.582) 2.0 GB 3. Cincinnati Reds 58-53 (.523) 8.5 GB 4. St. Louis Cardinals 55-56 (.495) 11.5 GB 5. Pittsburgh Pirates 47-63 (.427) 19.0 GB Wild Card Leaders 1. Cubs — 2. Dodgers — 3. Phillies +2.5 over Reds Key Stretch Ahead Chicago opens a pivotal three-game home set with the surging Cincinnati Reds on Monday before traveling to Milwaukee for an August 8–10 showdown that could swing the division lead. The Brewers have dominated the season series 6-4, but the Cubs have narrowed the gap by winning three of the last four meetings. Takeaways for Fans and Fantasy Players • The Cubs’ bullpen hierarchy has stabilized: Adbert Alzolay (23 saves) is locked in as closer, with Mark Leiter Jr. handling high-leverage bridges. • Keep an eye on top prospect Kevin Alcántara; the 20-year-old outfielder was promoted to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday and could provide a late-season spark. • Ticket demand is spiking for the upcoming Brewers series—average resale prices jumped 27 percent overnight after Sunday’s win. Bottom line: If the Cubs maintain their current pace, a return to October baseball is firmly within reach. The next seven days will tell us whether Chicago can chase down Milwaukee or settle into Wild Card mode—but either path has the North Side dreaming of a deep 2025 playoff run.