Could this finally be the year where the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds are both in playoff contention at the same time? For being two of the oldest franchises in baseball, you would think this would happen more often. Both teams made the (expanded) playoffs in the shortened COVID season in 2020, but that doesn’t really count. Before that? You’ve got to go way back.
The Cubs had their most successful run in franchise history from 2015-2018, but the Reds were terrible in all of those years. The Reds had a nice run from 2010-2013, and the Cubs were rebuilding during that time. The slightly shortened season of 1995 was the last time each team had a winning record in the same year, a year in which Bill Clinton was the President. Prior to ’95, you’ve got to go all the way back to 1972 when you’ll find both teams having winning records at the same time. Even in ’89 and ’90, the teams took turns being good. The Cubs were great in ’89 but stunk the following year. The Reds stunk in ’89 then won the World Series in ’90.
Fast forward to this season. The only real reason we’re having this conversation is because the NL Central division has been incredibly average up to this point. It’s still far from a guarantee that these teams will contend the rest of the way, but recent hot streaks for each squad has at least put them in the conversation.
The Reds won 12 straight games, taking the world by storm, and even selling out some games at Great American Ballpark (Braves fans had a lot to do with that). Cincinnati is in a battle with the Milwaukee Brewers at the top of the division. The Cubs are on a nice streak of their own, winners of 11 of their last 15 games and changing the narrative of their season in the process. If they play good ball over the next few weeks, they will probably be buyers at the Trade Deadline, instead of another year of selling off their talent for the rebuild.
I could see a scenario where two, or even three of the teams in the NL Central end up with win totals in the upper 80’s by season’s end. It could make for an exciting summer of baseball around here.
The Reds have an electric offense, but their starting pitching could hold them back. The Cubs have solid starting pitching, but an inconsistent offense. Another thing going for Chicago: They have statistically the weakest remaining schedule in the league.
Another exciting thing about the Reds and Cubs being relevant again: They both have strong farm systems with even more help on the way. We haven’t experienced these teams both being good at the same time very often in our lifetime. This year could be the start of something fun.
Tyler Smith covers the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Hoosiers for IndySportsLegends and is a frequent contributor to the Journal Review and is the sports director at New Hope Christian Church.
