After today's Bucco win against the Reds, the two teams are currently tied with 35-22 records. This has them in a heat for 2nd place in the NL Central behind the Cardinals, at 37-19. At the other end of the spectrum you have the Brewers, who are 21-34 haha.
The Pirates and Reds are 5 games ahead of the Colorado Rockies for the Wild Card spot. Yes, it's May. Only one other team in baseball has 35 wins: Texas Rangers, who are killing it in the AL West.
Perhaps it is the aforementioned Brewers and the Cubs who are the reason for the Central's Wild Card monopoly. The Cubs have a record of 23-32.
Will the Cardinals ever cool off? Can the Pirates overtake the Reds for #2 which I believe they deserve, being much better than the 1-2 weekend series they just played? These are exciting times.