As we gear up for the 2026 MLB season, the NL Central once again promises to be a thrilling showdown, with most eyes fixed on the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs. Despite some optimism around the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds, it's the Brewers and Cubs who've been the main contenders, with Milwaukee taking the crown the past three years. Last season, however, the Cubs came tantalizingly close to toppling the Brewers, setting the stage for an exciting rivalry this year.
The Cubs' offseason moves have certainly stirred up conversation. They made headlines by swapping Kyle Tucker for Alex Bregman, acquiring starting pitcher Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins, and overhauling a bullpen that saw significant turnover after 2025.
Yet, seasoned fans know better than to declare a winner based solely on preseason buzz. The Cubs were also favored in the past two seasons but ultimately fell short of the Brewers.
A lesser-known but intriguing move by the Cubs was signing Tyler Austin, a former Brewer who had a brief but memorable stint with Milwaukee in 2019. Austin, who became somewhat of a cult hero during his 17-game run with the Brewers, spent the last six years in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), where he showcased his power by hitting 85 home runs and maintaining a .568 slugging percentage.
Austin was brought in to complement lefty Michael Busch at first base, a move that appeared savvy. Unfortunately, the Cubs received a setback with news that Austin underwent knee surgery and will be sidelined for several months. This development, reported by Patrick Mooney, puts a dent in the Cubs' plans.
Despite being 34 and having a modest MLB career, Austin's recent performance in Japan suggested he still had plenty to offer, especially given his improved strikeout rate. Once a concern in his MLB days, Austin reduced his strikeouts significantly in Japan, which gave the Cubs hope that his plate discipline had matured.
While Austin's absence might not shift the division's balance, it's certainly a hurdle for the Cubs, who will need to find a way to fill the gap. Options include giving Matt Shaw, who lost his starting spot with Bregman's arrival, a chance at first base, or turning to top prospect Jonathan Long. Moises Ballesteros could also step in, but as a fellow lefty, he doesn't provide the same matchup advantage against left-handed pitchers as Austin would have.
As the Cubs navigate these challenges, one thing's for sure: the NL Central race is shaping up to be as competitive as ever, with every roster move and injury potentially tipping the scales.