MLB NL Central Standings 2026
NL Central standings for the 2026 MLB season. The Milwaukee Brewers lead the division at 95-57. The Chicago Cubs sit 10.5 games back. Division records so far: Brewers 12-5, Cubs 4-8, Pirates 4-7, Cardinals 6-5, Reds 6-7. The Brewers have the best run differential in the division at +200. 2 of the 5 teams are in playoff position today: Brewers (No. 1), Cubs (No. 4). The Brewers are the defending champions after winning the NL Central at 97-65 in 2025 and lead again. The Brewers have clinched the NL Central.
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | HOME | AWAY | DIV | CONF | RS | RA | DIFF | STRK | L5 | PROJ | MAGIC | NEXT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Milwaukee BrewersMIL |
95 | 57 | .625 | – | 15-6 | 8-9 | 12-5 | 18-11 | 788 | 588 | +200 | W2 | 4-1 | 101 | Clinched | @ PIT Thu 9/17 |
| 2 |  Chicago CubsCHC |
85 | 68 | .556 | 10.5 | 11-8 | 8-10 | 4-8 | 14-13 | 817 | 674 | +143 | W1 | 3-2 | 90 | Out | @ CIN Fri 9/18 |
| 3 |  Pittsburgh PiratesPIT |
75 | 77 | .493 | 20 | 8-7 | 10-11 | 4-7 | 9-15 | 723 | 702 | +21 | L2 | 2-3 | 80 | Out | vs MIL Thu 9/17 |
| 4 |  St. Louis CardinalsSTL |
75 | 78 | .490 | 20.5 | 7-8 | 10-12 | 6-5 | 14-17 | 693 | 707 | -14 | L2 | 2-3 | 79 | Out | vs WSH Fri 9/18 |
| 5 |  Cincinnati RedsCIN |
71 | 81 | .467 | 24 | 11-9 | 6-13 | 6-7 | 12-21 | 631 | 779 | -148 | W1 | 2-3 | 76 | Out | vs LAD Thu 9/17 |
Legend
- #
- Place in division
- W
- Wins
- L
- Losses
- PCT
- Winning percentage
- GB
- Games behind division leader
- HOME
- Home record
- AWAY
- Away record
- DIV
- Division record
- CONF
- League record
- RS
- Runs scored
- RA
- Runs allowed
- DIFF
- Run differential
- STRK
- Current streak
- L5
- Last 5 games
- PROJ
- Projected final wins at the current rate
- MAGIC
- Magic number: any combination of leader wins and second-place losses that clinches the division (E = elimination number; 0 = out of the division race)
- NEXT
- Next game
Clinch tags
- x
- Clinched playoff berth
- y
- Clinched wild card
- z
- Clinched division
- *
- Clinched best record in the league and home-field advantage
- e
- Eliminated from playoff contention
- ▲ ▼
- Moved up or down since the last games
- Playoff cutoff (league view)
Standings are updated with the completion of each game. Clinch tags use wins-only maths and appear once a spot is mathematically settled.
NL Central clinch watch
Brewers95-57Magic numberClinchedCubs85-68 · 10.5 GBElimination numberOutPirates75-77 · 20 GBElimination numberOutCardinals75-78 · 20.5 GBElimination numberOutReds71-81 · 24 GBElimination numberOutMagic number = any combination of leader wins and second-place losses that clinches the division. Elimination number = how much a chaser can still lose before the title is out of reach.
NL Central Teams
Milwaukee Brewers95-57 · National League No. 1Next: @ Pirates, Thu, Sep 17 12:35 PMChicago Cubs85-68 · National League No. 4Next: @ Reds, Fri, Sep 18 6:40 PMPittsburgh Pirates75-77 · National League No. 9Next: vs Brewers, Thu, Sep 17 12:35 PMSt. Louis Cardinals75-78 · National League No. 10Next: vs Nationals, Fri, Sep 18 8:15 PMCincinnati Reds71-81 · National League No. 11Next: vs Dodgers, Thu, Sep 17 12:40 PMNL Central Games
Results
Upcoming
Recent NL Central Champions
Milwaukee Brewers97-65 · 02024Milwaukee Brewers93-69 · 02023Milwaukee Brewers92-70 · 02022St. Louis Cardinals93-69 · 02021Milwaukee Brewers95-67 · 0NL Central title history
Since 2021 the NL Central has been won by 2 different teams. The Milwaukee Brewers have the most titles in that span with 4. The strongest champion was the Brewers in 2025 at 97-65. A division title is the only guaranteed playoff ticket in MLB: division winners take seeds 1 to 3 and the two with the best records skip the Wild Card Series.
📋 Full National League standings → 🏆 Playoff picture →
NL Central FAQ
Who is leading the NL Central?
The Milwaukee Brewers at 95-57, as of September 17.
Which teams are in the NL Central?
Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds.
How far back is second place in the NL Central?
The Chicago Cubs trail the Milwaukee Brewers by 10.5 games.
How many NL Central teams are in playoff position?
2 as of September 17: Brewers (No. 1), Cubs (No. 4).
When is the next NL Central game?
Brewers at Pirates on Thursday, September 17.
Who won the NL Central last season?
The Milwaukee Brewers, at 97-65 in 2025.
Who has won the NL Central most often recently?
The Milwaukee Brewers, with 4 titles in the last 5 seasons.
How is the NL Central winner decided?
Best winning percentage over the 162-game season. If two teams tie there is no extra game: head-to-head record decides first, then record within the division, then against the rest of the league.
Does the NL Central winner make the playoffs?
Yes. The three division winners are seeded 1 to 3 in their league by record. The top two get a bye to the Division Series; the third hosts a best-of-three Wild Card Series.
What does GB mean?
Games behind the division leader. A half game means the teams have played a different number of games.
Updated