NL Central

The debate no longer exists.

It is over. There is a clear answer by now. And it really isn’t even close enough for an argument to be had.

The National League Central is Major League Baseball’s best division, boasting three of the four best records in the game and the top three in the NL. If that trend holds up over the final six-plus weeks of the regular season, it would be historic, as no division in the wild-card era has ever housed its league’s three best records.

The Cincinnati Reds placed outfielder Billy Hamilton, the MLB leader in stolen bases, on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday due to a shoulder injury. There's no immediate timetable for his return.

Continue for updates.

On April 28, Jung Ho Kang owned a .182/.208/.227 slash line. He had one extra-base hit to his name. It was way early, sure, but it was also worth wondering if the Korean import's game was going to translate to the big leagues.

Almost four months later, Kang has answered that question with an emphatic "ne." (That's "yes" in Korean.)

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun hit a fifth-inning grand slam in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, tying Robin Yount at 251 homers for first place on the all-time franchise list, per ESPN Stats & Info.

When Adam Wainwright tore his Achilles tendon in April, the St. Louis Cardinals were left without their true ace—let alone one of baseball’s top pitchers—for most of the season.

For almost four years now, there has been absolutely no shortage of hype.

Ever since Theo Epstein agreed to turn around the Chicago Cubs to the tune of $18.5 million for five years, the North Side faithful—and beyond—have salivated for the season when the new president of baseball operations would make good. In Epstein's fourth season running the show, the hype is now developing into substance.

After 13 years as the Milwaukee Brewers general manager, Doug Melvin is set to transition to an advisory role within the front office.  

The organization announced the move Tuesday on its official Twitter account. The Brew Crew will begin to search for a new GM, although it is unclear who is in the running at this point.

The Chicago Cubs completed a critical four-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants on Sunday afternoon, but baseball took a backseat in the game's aftermath. 

Yes, you read that right. 

A washing machine.

Sean McCarthy threw a washing machine to set a Guinness World Record at Great American Ball Park after last Friday's Cincinnati Reds game.

He chucked it 15 feet and nine inches.

The recognition has been quiet, and the hype has been nonexistent.

But there is substance. It exists under the radar for a team that has not had many splashes this season but has modestly positioned itself as the best team in the National League.