The Chicago Cubs’ division race has picked up a lot of steam lately. Heading into the season, many people thought that it would be the Cubs’ division to lose. The start of the season backed this up, as Chicago had two 10-game winning streaks. However, a 10-game losing streak quickly turned things around, which created pressure on the coaching staff to compete in 2026. Much of the blame has been on the hitters and pitchers, who, besides the top players, have been inconsistent this season. Now, the Cubs’ division race has become far more complicated.
Behind the Cubs Division Race
As of June 2nd, all of the teams in the National League Central have winning records. One of the largest reasons for this is the pitching, as many of the division rivals’ starters have had elite seasons. It has become clear that, as of now, Chicago does not have the starting rotation to keep up with the rest of the starters. On paper, the Cubs should have the most talented roster in the division. Realistically, they have not been on that level. The other teams have had better coaching and better development.
Speaking of development, very few teams have done this better than the Milwaukee Brewers. It seems that every offseason, Milwaukee sheds salaries and trades away a few key players. Despite this, every year they are near the top of the National League. 2026 has been no different, as they are at the top of the division. Recently, they have gotten hot and have pulled away. It feels as if they are what every other team wishes to be: a consistent threat to make the postseason.
The @Brewers enter the top 3 in the latest Team Power Rankings!
(MLB x @PolymarketSport) pic.twitter.com/BDBqrvI1tg
— MLB (@MLB) June 1, 2026
The rest of the division may not have been as notable for the past few seasons, but they still deserve respect for their 2026 success. The Pittsburgh Pirates are in second place amid a breakout season. The St. Louis Cardinals are a historic franchise that has struggled the past few years. Now, they are back at their usual level and are currently third in the division. Chicago is stuck in the fourth spot for now. Then, the Cincinnati Reds are currently last in the division, but they have still had a surprising year. These four are all at similar records, thus making the current state of the division race intense.
Challenges Facing the Cubs in Their Division Race
One of the easiest explanations for the collapse in the Cubs’ division race hopes is that nothing has gone right for the team. For the most part, the bats are quiet. They have struggled to get anything consistent going, and a majority of the stars have struggled. The starting rotation has not lived up to its promise. Also, the bullpen has struggled heavily, although they have been picking it up lately. Injuries have plagued the team, causing most of the starting pitchers to be out. Even the coaching staff has struggled to make any meaningful adjustments.
Outside of the internal issues, there are a few external factors that affect the team’s chances. The rest of the division is showing no signs of slowing down. Historically, the Brewers have grown familiar with doing this over the past few seasons. Unless they fall apart, the Cubs may come in second place once again. The other three are asking a lot of their players to keep up their current level of production. However, they are all very capable of that.
Why the Cubs Division Race Remains Strong
While there are plenty of reasons to doubt Chicago, there are also plenty of positives to point to. The bullpen has overcome its struggles, which has them operating at a very high level. Ben Brown has had a breakout season, solidifying himself as the top starter on the team. Additionally, the rotation seems to be getting healthier. Edward Cabrera is expected to start this weekend, which, as long as he can return to his early-season level, would give the Cubs another strong starter. Matthew Boyd is also nearing a return, but he is going to spend another game in Iowa first.
#Cubs Matthew Boyd will start Saturday with the Iowa Cubs then return to the big league team assuming everything goes well.
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) June 2, 2026
Another reason for optimism is that they have too much offensive talent to stay quiet for the entire season. There are plenty of big names, and most of them have proven to be successful for many seasons at the major league level. While they have struggled at times, they have also been capable of getting on base. Anytime you can get someone on base, it makes it dangerous for opposing pitchers. If they can improve at bringing those baserunners in, then the offense could have a high ceiling.
Last Word on the Cubs Division Race
There is still a long way to go in the regular season, so worrying about October should be the last of anyone’s concerns right now. However, as a fan, it is always on your mind. Chicago has the talent and skill to compete with anybody, but it needs to become more consistent. The NL Central has always been competitive, and 2026 seems to be no different. This makes the margin for error slim, meaning the need for consistency is more important than ever. If the Cubs can put all of the pieces together, they have a legitimate chance to come out on top of both the division and potentially the league.
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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