NL Central

Things are getting heated in the National League Central, and it's not just in the standings, either. 

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon went off on the St. Louis Cardinals, comparing their actions to those of fictional mobster Tony Soprano.

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson has suffered a head injury after being hit by a line drive against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday night.

Continue for updates.

Devastating.

Purely and simply devastating. 

There is hardly another way to sum up the awful fortune dealt to Pittsburgh Pirates valuable rookie shortstop Jung Ho Kang on Thursday afternoon after he was taken out while turning a double play against the Chicago Cubs.

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie infielder Jung Ho Kang went down with a nasty leg injury following a takeout slide from Chicago Cubs outfielder Chris Coghlan on Thursday, and the team's worst fears were confirmed hours after a 9-6 loss. 

If the second game of the Chicago Cubs-Pittsburgh Pirates doubleheader Tuesday was a preview of the National League Wild Card Game, the Cubs will take it and smile.

The scramble for the National League Central is easily the most intriguing division race in baseball. And, with a tip of the cap to Spinal Tap, the intrigue is about to get cranked up to "11." 

Entering play Monday, the St. Louis Cardinals (89-54) sit in first place, the Pittsburgh Pirates (86-56) are 2.5 games out in second place and the Chicago Cubs (82-60) are 6.5 games off the pace in third.

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto was ejected from Wednesday night's 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates following a heated argument over balls and strikes with home plate umpire Bill Welke, and MLB took action Friday, condemning the star's actions.

The St. Louis Cardinals are finally starting to get healthy, with Randal Grichuk, Matt Adams and Jon Jay all back from the disabled list, and Matt Holliday possibly back as soon as next week.

But when I asked Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak what that all means for Stephen Piscotty, he gave the only answer he possibly could.

"It's hard to imagine him not being an everyday player right now," Mozeliak said by phone Thursday.

The Milwaukee Brewers have been without a general manager for roughly a month after relieving Doug Melvin of his duties in August. After conducting a lengthy search, the franchise may be zeroing in on a top candidate.

Continue for updates.  

Tensions ran high at Great American Ball Park when Reds first baseman Joey Votto was ejected in the eighth inning of Cincinnati's 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

Pitcher Tony Watson dealt a called second strike on the outside corner to Votto, who argued umpire Bill Welke's call on the 1-1 pitch and was ultimately thrown out.