The NL central is pretty ridiculous right now. Cubs are half a game back of the pirates for second in the division and are 3rd in the NL 3 up in the loss column against the dodgers who they've beaten the past 2 nights. The cubs also are the 5th best team in baseball only behind Houston and KC in the AL.
On the plus side, the Pirates generally aren't a team that makes big moves at the deadline so they are what they are most likely. Catching the cards on the other hand.... I mean they theoretically should fall back some but they are sporting a 6.5 game lead. For crying out loud they are on pace to win 106 games without their Cy Young candidate.
We will see what happens in the DOG DAYS of summer as this year goes on. The Cardinals are going to have to go for a pitcher to shore up the rotation which they probably will get Kazmir or Haren.
The long year will test them greatly. If they are playing this way solidly through the month of August, then they are IMO, odds on favorites to win the WS.
The good thing is that the Cardinals have faced a lot of opponents like Philly, the Brewers, and the Marlins.
When the Cubs get through this stretch, they are going to have a cake schedule in late July I believe. Of course, they have to beat teams like Philly, Colorado, and Milwaukee which they have been reluctant to do so far with the Brewers.
Also FWIW, the Cubs may finish with 6 on the road in late September, but they are against the two worst teams in the Central.......so.