The NL Central is headed for a separation weekend, as all six teams play head-to-head. Right now only 5.5 games separates first-place St. Louis from last place Houston. The weekend matchups are Cincinnati-Chicago (a feature game on Fox Saturday), St. Louis-Milwaukee and Houston-Pittsburgh. Let's take a quick snapshot of how this division is stacking up...

St. Louis: In a season where no one expected a lot from the Cardinals, they've shot out to first place and beat Florida's Josh Johnson last night. The key has been the offense, the best in the National League. Even if Albert Pujols was slow to get started, everyone else picked up the slack, especially Colby Rasmus, Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday. One big downer--third baseman David Freese is out until August and the Cards have no reliable replacement.

Cincinnati: After a strong start, they've hit a rough patch and the reason is starting pitching. Bronson Arroyo and Edinson Volquez are faring poorly. For that matter, so is the rest of the rotation but Arroyo and Volquez are the ones who must turn it around. Johnny Cueto also makes his return from the disabled list on Sunday against the Cubs.

Pittsburgh: Those pesky Pirates are hanging around in third place. Clint Hurdle has patched together a bullpen, led by closer Joel Hanrahan and the starting pitching has at least been manageable. Ultimately Pittsburgh needs to get more offense. The focus should be on two players at opposite ends of the career spectrum--veteran Lyle Overbay at first and young left fielder Jose Tabata.

Chicago: Don't sleep on the Cubbies right now. They've had a lot go wrong in the first month-plus, but are still in the mix. Ryan Dempster can't pitch much worse. Matt Garza is already starting to pitch better. Carlos Pena, Geovany Soto and Marlon Byrd aren't hitting. All of these things can turn around.

Milwaukee: Zack Greinke has returned from the disabled list, although his Wednesday start against Tim Hudson in Atlanta was less than auspicious. Yovani Gallardo has a bloated ERA over 6 right now. Those of us who predicted the Brewers' success counted on a Gallardo-Greinke tandem setting the tone for the pitching staff. That hasn't materialized yet.

Houston: I know they're 12-19 and in last place, having had zero expectations coming into the season. But the Astros could be a sleeper. Bud Norris has been a sudden emergence in the rotation. Brett Myers is solid. Wandy Rodriguez is starting to pitch better. If the 'Stros can get J.A. Happ on track, they've got a potent rotation, and they're getting some offense from Hunter Pence and Brett Wallace. When I was talking baseball on Wednesday with Greg DePalma at Prime Sports Network, we touched on the Astros and I hesitated before uttering these words on the air--"They can win the division." I still can't believe I'm saying it in public, but if the pitching comes together for Houston is there a reason they couldn't win 85-87 games? And if so, take a look at the other five teams. Is there anyone who's a lock to win 90?

*I talk baseball on Prime Sports Network every Wednesday at 4 PM ET with Greg DePalma. Scroll halfway down the page for the link to archived podcasts which are posted every Wednesday evening.



Dan Flaherty is the editor of the Sports Notebook Family, published through the Real Clear Sports Blog Network, offering daily commentary on baseball . He is the author of The Last New Year's, a book that revisits the historic high points of college football's New Year's Day bowl games.