Is NL Central Now Toughest Division In Baseball?

TL;DR

The NL Central division is being considered as one of the toughest in baseball, challenging the traditional views that favor the AL West, NL East, and NL West. This perception shift has emerged notably in April.

Key points

NL Central is often overlooked in toughness rankings
AL West, NL East, and NL West are traditionally seen as tougher
Perception of NL Central is changing, especially in April

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly

Is NL Central Now Toughest Division In Baseball? originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

When people think of the toughest divisions in baseball, the NL Central typically doesn't come to mind. Many MLB fans consider the AL West, NL East and NL West more challenging.

While that may prove true in the long run, it hasn't been true in April.

So far, the NL Central has been the best division in baseball. All five teams are off to great starts and have winning records entering play on Monday. It's the only division without a losing record, and its .598 combined winning percentage is the best in baseball.

The NL Central teams are tightly bunched, too, separated by just 1.5 games in the standings. It's still early, but the division race is shaping up to be a real scrum.

That includes the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are third at 13-9. The Pirates have been playing good baseball, but unfortunately for them, so have all of their division rivals.

If that continues, it will be tough for Pittsburgh to win its first division title since 1992. However, the Pirates should still be able to at least compete for a Wild Card spot.

Furthermore, the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals both have negative run differentials, so they've been getting lucky thus far. They're due for regression, which could open the door for Pittsburgh to surge ahead of them.

Regardless, it's shaping up to be an exciting summer in the NL Central.

More MLB: Rain Delay Ruins Paul Skenes' Gem, Costs Pirates Dearly Vs. Rays

Q&A

What makes NL Central potentially the toughest division in baseball?

The NL Central's competitiveness has increased, leading to discussions about its strength compared to other divisions like the AL West and NL East.

Which divisions are traditionally considered tougher than NL Central?

Traditionally, the AL West, NL East, and NL West are viewed as more challenging divisions in Major League Baseball.

Has the perception of NL Central changed recently?

Yes, the perception of NL Central as a tough division has shifted, particularly noted during the month of April.