NL Central race as tight as can be
The National League Central race is as tight as can be.
The Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals were tied for first with 87-62 records going into Monday night’s play and the Cincinnati Reds were lurking at 3½ games back with a 84-66 mark.
Here is a look at the week ahead for the three contenders:
PIRATES
Schedule: vs. San Diego, tonight-Thursday; vs. Cincinnati, Friday-Sunday.
Who’s hot: Shortstop Jordy Mercer was hitting .421 (8-for-19) in his last six games going into Monday night with five doubles.
Who’s not: Second baseman Neil Walker was 2-for-28 (.071) in his last eight games.
Of note: The Pirates won 2-of-3 games the Padres from Aug. 19-21 at San Diego as center fielder Andrew McCutchen went 5-for-10 (.500) with a triple. … The Pirates are 7-6 against the Reds this season as first baseman Garrett Jones is hitting .333 (15-for-45) with three doubles and three home runs, while left-hander Jeff Locke is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in three starts.
CARDINALS
Schedule: at Colorado, tonight-Thursday; at Milwaukee, Friday-Sunday.
Who’s hot: First baseman Matt Adams was hitting .320 (8-for-25) with three home runs in his last seven games going into Monday night.
Who’s not: Right fielder Carlos Beltran was 3-for-21 (.143) in his last six games.
Of note: The Cardinals won two of three games from the Rockies from May 10-12 at Colorado, including a one-hit shutout by rookie right-hander Shelby Miller. … Catcher Yadier Molina is hitting .355 (20-for-64) with six doubles and two home runs, while Miller is 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA in four starts.
REDS
Schedule: at Houston, tonight-Wednesday; at Pirates, Friday-Sunday.
Who’s hot: First baseman Joey Votto was hitting .448 (13-for-29) in his last nine games going into Monday night with two doubles and two home runs.
Who’s not: Catcher Ryan Hanigan was 2-for-19 (.105) in his last six games.
Of note: The Reds are meeting the Astros for the first time this season. … Votto is hitting .302 (13-for-43) against the Pirates with one double, two triples and 16 walks, while right-hander Mike Leake is 3-0 with a 2.48 ERA in four starts.