Here is how the Brewers stack up against their division rivals in 2025

The Milwaukee Brewers have won division titles each of the last two years, in three of the last four, and in four of the last seven. Their last two division titles were comfortable, as they won by nine games in 2023 and, despite losing significant pieces before the season, by 10 games in 2024. But one could make an argument that, at least in 2024, it was less a case of the Brewers winning the division than it was everyone else losing it, as the National League Central is viewed as perhaps the league’s weakest group.

So, in a new season—one in which the Brewers again jettisoned two of their star players in Devin Williams and Willy Adames—how does Milwaukee stack up against the four teams it will vie with for the NL Central crown? Has anyone made enough improvement to catch up with them?

The Favorites: The Chicago Cubs

If you look around at the bevy of national predictions made in the past couple of weeks, one team finds itself on top of the NL Central more than any other: the Brewers’ biggest rivals, the Chicago Cubs. Chicago, who of course employ long-time Brewers manager (and hometown kid) Craig Counsell, finished second in the division last year at 83-79.

In some ways, the Cubs mirror the Brewers. They are a very good defensive team who boast three starters who have won Gold Gloves in the last two years: Dansby Swanson, who won the NL Gold Glove at shortstop as a Cub in 2023 and as a Brave in 2022; Nico Hoerner, who won the 2023 Gold Glove at second base; and Ian Happ, who has been a Gold Glove outfielder in each of the last three seasons.

Chicago's starting pitching, a group led by Justin Steele (who was fifth in Cy Young voting in 2023) and Shota Imanaga (fifth in Cy Young and fourth in Rookie of the Year last season), ishypothetically, better than Milwaukee’s and could make some noise in the playoffs if everything falls together.

However, the biggest thing that sets Chicago apart in 2025 is their most significant offseason acquisition, Kyle Tucker. Tucker is one of those players who is often cited as one of the most underrated players in the league, a guy who does everything well—he won a Gold Glove in 2022, a Silver Slugger in 2023, and he has 95 career stolen bases at an 88% success rate. Last season, he battled injuries and played just 78 games, but in those 78 games he was arguably behind only Aaron Judge and maybe Bobby Witt Jr. as the best player in the American League, as he was on a 9.5 WAR pace in that time.

Tucker is off to a torrid start in 2025, and if he is healthy, he is probably the best player in the division. If the standings are close, that could be enough to tip the scales.

The up-and-comers: The Cincinnati Reds

The Reds aren’t a hugely popular choice as winners of the Central, but they are a popular “this team could surprise you” pick, as they were last year. Things didn’t go especially well last season, despite significant leaps from their dynamic shortstop Elly De La Cruz and their flamethrowing ace, Hunter Greene. Infielder Matt McLain, who was outstanding in 89 games as a rookie in 2023, missed the entire 2024 season, and nagging injuries to several of their other important players held the team to a somewhat disappointing 77-85 record.

McLain is healthy now, though, Greene looks good (he took a tough-luck loss on Wednesday when he allowed just one run, three hits, and one walk while striking out eight in seven innings), and De La Cruz is a dark horse MVP candidate. Add some solid support players such as TJ Friedl and Spencer Steer and a couple of solid young-ish pitchers in Nick Lodolo and offseason addition Brady Singer and things could come together. The Reds’ biggest weakness is likely their bullpen, something that could be addressed at the trade deadline if they’re in good position.

The team that needs direction: The St. Louis Cardinals

After an uninspiring 83-79 season, the Cardinals looked ready to take a step back this offseason. They let 2023 MVP Paul Goldschmidt walk, they declined team options on Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson (Lynn retired, Gibson signed with Baltimore), and they tried their darndest to trade Nolan Arenado, who invoked his no-trade clause to nix a move to Houston.

There are still good players in St. Louis. Arenado has looked a little more like his old self to start the season, Willson Contreras is still a good hitter, Sonny Gray is still a solid starter (despite some bad luck last season), and Ryan Helsley is one of the game’s best closers. Masyn Winn had 4.9 WAR as a rookie last season as about a league-average hitter and an excellent defensive player. Jordan Walker hasn’t worked out yet, but he’s not yet 23, he’s a former top-five-in-the-game prospect, and he’s had a good first week.

But there’s a sense that something is missing here, and if they’re struggling, you might see them sell off some parts at the trade deadline. Anything can happen and this team is by no means terrible, but there aren’t a whole lot of believers in this group, an uncomfortable mix of over-the-hill veterans and not-quite-ready-to-win young players. A rebuilding year might be in the cards.

The bad team with the most exciting player: The Pittsburgh Pirates

Paul Skenes is the closest thing to must-watch television the league has right now. He had a breathtaking rookie season in which he was the league’s best pitcher after his promotion in early May; despite only throwing 133 innings in the majors, he finished third in Cy Young voting and won Rookie of the Year. He can throw 100 with movement and boasts one of the most unhittable fastballs in baseball, and his offspeed stuff isn’t bad either. He struck out 170 batters in those 133 innings. It would surprise no one if he was the league’s best pitcher this season.

Unfortunately, there’s very little else to be excited about on this team. The Pirates’ other dynamic young pitcher, Jared Jones, was sidelined with an ominous-sounding UCL sprain near the end of spring training and was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Wednesday. Ke’Bryan Hayes continues to play great defense, but he may not be able to hit. Oneil Cruz is fun, but his center field defense is a little scary and we’re still sort of waiting to see if the 26-year-old can put together a full season as a solidly above-average hitter. Andrew McCutchen is a fan favorite and a franchise legend, but at 38 years old, he’s not likely to offer much. Bryan Reynolds is probably their best all-around position player, a solid hitter who does a lot well, but he’s not going to carry a team by himself, and the Pirates are probably actively looking for someone to take the five remaining years on his contract.

On top of it all, Pittsburgh has the most notoriously cheap owner in baseball. Skenes is a once-in-a-generation talent, but he doesn’t have a whole lot of backup, and he shouldn’t expect to get much anytime soon.

NL Central predictions

Best offense: Chicago, but Milwaukee and Cincinnati are right behind
Best defense: Milwaukee, but Chicago is right behind
Best starting pitching: Chicago, but it could be Cincinnati
Best bullpen: St. Louis
Best position player: Tucker, but De La Cruz, William Contreras, and Jackson Chourio could all claim this by season's end
Best starting pitcher: Skenes
Best relief pitcher: Helsley