NL Central

The 2013 season is now in full swing.

After 10 games, the St. Louis Cardinals are in sole possession of first atop the NL Central with a 6-4 record. But how have they gotten there?

By comparing each major player's current statistics to their 2012 numbers, I've attempted to measure their success against what is expected of them. 

We don't know what the future has in store for the Cardinals, but if these grades have set a precedent, we may be seeing great things.

Friday night's game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers was destined to be an interesting game. Not because of a division rivalry, but because of the story behind the two men taking the mound.

The battle of veteran pitcher vs. rookie stud in many ways went as it should.

The National League Central is filled with talent, and Chicago Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija leads the list of players who are going to have breakout seasons.

With the Houston Astros no longer in the division, teams in the NL Central will face each other 19 times this season. 

Last season featured Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates as the breakout star of the division. There probably won't be a performance like that from any of the players on this list, but these players will certainly make a name for themselves this season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates' difficult start to the 2013 season encountered another obstacle Monday night, as starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez left the Bucs' 5-3 victory in the third inning with a tight left hamstring.

The baseball gods aren't wasting any time at testing the Cincinnati Reds' 2013 season.

With Ryan Ludwick’s injured shoulder after three innings on Opening Day, the Reds have to adjust.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have started 2013 in a very similar manner to 2012, struggling to get anything going at the plate. Despite four solid pitching performances in a row, the Bucs are 1-3 heading into Saturday night's tilt with Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers.

The Cincinnati Reds clobbered the Washington Nationals 15-0 Friday night to take home their third win of the young MLB season.

Once the Cardinals finish up their West Coast swing through Arizona and San Francisco, they'll find themselves smack-dab in the middle of a duel against their fiercest competition for the NL Central crown, the Cincinnati Reds.

Fresh off of winning the National League Central crown in 2012, the Cincinnati Reds are the favorites to repeat but could face some roadblocks in their quest to get back to the postseason.

The team won 97 games and were the first team to clinch its division last season, so it had plenty of time to prepare for the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Reds were sent home earlier than expected, and they are hoping to avoid an even bigger letdown this season.

The Chicago Cubs are ready to spruce up Wrigley Field. When they do, they'll be looking to usher in an entirely new era of Cubs baseball.

But first, the news itself.