Who is going to win the MLB NL Central this year?

This post expresses the views and opinions of the author(s) and not necessarily that of Cedarburg Area Insider News Digest management or staff.

Projected 2026 NL Central Standings (Consensus from FanGraphs, ESPN betting, MLB.com, and previews)

☆ Chicago Cubs: ~89-90 wins (favorites at +110 to +150 division odds; strong bullpen, healthy lineup, and additions give them the edge for the top spot).
☆ Milwaukee Brewers: ~83-87 wins (defending champs projected to regress but still in the mix; pitching pipeline and defense keep them competitive).
☆ Cincinnati Reds: ~82-83 wins (young core like Elly De La Cruz, Hunter Greene, and Matt McLain could push higher, but injury risks and modest additions temper expectations).
☆ Pittsburgh Pirates: ~80-82 wins (Paul Skenes anchors the rotation; offensive upgrades like Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn could make them spoilers or surprise contenders).
☆ St. Louis Cardinals: ~68-75 wins (major veteran departures like Goldschmidt, Arenado, Gray; focus on youth like JJ Wetherholt and Masyn Winn in a reset year).

Playoff odds heavily favor the Cubs (60%+ in many models), with the Brewers around 40-50%, and the rest lower. The division might send 1-2 teams to the postseason, likely via the division title and a Wild Card spot.

Does this seem accurate? What's your opinion?