Welcome to week 5 of our 2026 NL Central Power Rankings — let’s rank some teams!
1. Chicago Cubs (17-11); 5-2 this week; 73.7% chance to make postseason (FanGraphs)
The top of these rankings remain a tough 1-2 punch, as the Cubs and Reds are both vying for the division lead. Chicago extended their win streak to 10 games with a four-game sweep of the Phillies before a win on Friday against the Dodgers, but they lost the final two games of the set over the weekend as they were outscored 18-4.
Seiya Suzuki slugged four homers this week, and Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson each added
a pair of long balls. Suzuki and Busch also tied for the team lead with 10 hits apiece. Alex Bregman homered and totaled nine hits this week, and Nico Hoerner added eight hits, including a homer.
None of Chicago’s starting pitchers had an outstanding week, as the two starters to pick up wins (Shota Imanaga and Colin Rea) also took a loss in their second start of the week. The bullpen, however, was great. Ben Brown, Corbin Martin, Ryan Rolison, Yacksel Ríos, Vince Vealsquez, and Jacob Webb combined for 13 innings with no earned runs, striking out 11 batters.
The Cubs now visit the Padres for three games before returning to Wrigley to host the D-backs and Reds.
2. Cincinnati Reds (18-10); 4-2 this week; 35.0% chance to make postseason
The Reds have continued to win, as they’ve now won four consecutive series after a pair of 2-1 series wins over the Rays and Tigers this week. They remain atop the NL Central standings.
It was a power-heavy week for the Reds, as they totaled 16 homers in their six games this week. Nathaniel Lowe led the way with four homers, and Elly De La Cruz added three homers and five other hits. Sal Stewart hit two more homers, driving in a team-high 10 runs and swiping three bags as he looks like an early-season NL Rookie of the Year frontrunner.
Rhett Lowder made a pair of solid starts, totaling 11 innings with 10 strikeouts and three runs allowed. Chase Burns struck out eight and allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings in his start, and Brady Singer went 5 1/3 innings with one run allowed and three strikeouts. Graham Ashcraft, Brock Burke, and Emilio Pagán all put up scoreless weeks for the bullpen, with Burke leading the way with four scoreless frames and four strikeouts over four appearances.
After an off day on Monday, Cincinnati will host the Rockies for three games before a road trip takes them to the Pirates and Cubs.
3. Pittsburgh Pirates (16-12); 3-3 this week; 62.0% chance to make postseason
The Pirates split their two series with the Rangers and Brewers this week, losing two of three in Texas before taking two of three against Milwaukee over the weekend.
Oneil Cruz led the Pittsburgh offense with a pair of homers, but he had just one other hit and struck out 11 times in 23 at-bats. Nick Gonzales led the team with 10 hits, driving in two and scoring three runs, while Konnor Griffin picked up his first career homer on Friday night in Milwaukee.
Paul Skenes turned in a sterling start against the Brewers on Friday night, allowing just one hit and striking out seven over seven scoreless innings. Braxton Ashcraft went seven innings with two runs allowed and five strikeouts in his start. The bullpen had an all-around solid week as eight arms combined to allow zero runs over 19 innings with 18 strikeouts — in fact, the only reliever to allow any runs this week was Gregory Soto (two runs in two innings).
Pittsburgh heads back home for four games against the Cardinals before hosting the Reds for three games next weekend.
4. Milwaukee Brewers (14-13); 2-4 this week; 35.7% chance to make postseason
The Brewers continue to struggle with consistency on offense, as they scored 17 runs in their two victories this week but just nine runs in their four losses, as they dropped two of three to both Detroit and Pittsburgh.
Milwaukee’s offense failed to pick up a homer this week, but Jake Bauers led the squad with eight hits, including three doubles. David Hamilton finally found a bit of success, going 7-for-19 with a double, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Brice Turang led the team with four RBIs despite only picking up three hits (all singles).
Kyle Harrison turned in arguably the best start of his career on Sunday, striking out 12 over six shutout frames. For the week, he went nine innings with one run allowed and 15 strikeouts. Jacob Misiorowski struck out nine and allowed three runs over six innings in a no-decision, while Aaron Ashby continues to set the pace for the bullpen, as he allowed no runs and struck out eight in 4 1/3 innings this week. DL Hall, Grant Anderson, and Trevor Megill also had scoreless weeks for the ‘pen, allowing just three hits and three walks with seven strikeouts over 7 2/3 total innings.
The Brewers get an off day on Monday before hosting the D-backs to wrap up their homestand. They’ll then head to Washington and St. Louis on a six-day, six-game road trip beginning Friday.
5. St. Louis Cardinals (14-13); 1-5 this week; 9.6% chance to make postseason
The Cardinals finally look like they’re falling back to earth, as they dropped five of six games this week, losing two of three in Miami before being swept by the Mariners in St. Louis.
Nathan Church had a huge week offensively, picking up eight hits, including four homers, to go with seven RBIs. Iván Herrera and JJ Wetherholt each added a pair of homers, and Masyn Winn totaled eight hits and four RBIs.
The pitching staff didn’t have a great week overall, as every player who appeared on the mound allowed at least one run, with the lone exception of Justin Bruihl, who went 3 2/3 scoreless innings over three appearances. Michael McGreevy made a pair of starts, allowing five runs and striking out nine over 11 2/3 innings, while Dustin May picked up the only win this week, going 5 1/3 innings with one run allowed and five strikeouts.
St. Louis now heads to Pittsburgh for a four-game set against the Pirates before a homestand against the Dodgers and Brewers to begin May.
