NL Central

When Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell knocked one over the fence in the second inning of last Monday's game against the San Diego Padres, it made him just the third shortstop in franchise history to collect 80 RBI in a single season, per ESPN Stats & Info.

The Chicago Cubs are the best team in baseball by almost every measure.

They have the best record (82-47) and the best run differential (plus-217). They rank among MLB's top five in OPS (.777) and runs scored (655). They lead both leagues in ERA (3.12).

They can hit. They can pitch. Their rivals have plenty of reasons to fear them.

Now, there's another: Addison Russell, masher of baseballs.

Fact: Cincinnati Reds pitcher Anthony DeSclafani pitched a complete-game shutout against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday, the first of his career.

Bleacher Report will be bringing sports fans the most interesting and engaging Cold Hard Fact of the day, presented by Coors Light.

Source: B/R Insights

Two division leaders will clash at Chavez Ravine on Friday night when the Chicago Cubs visit the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of a key three-game series.

The Cubs had a day off Thursday and will play the seventh game of their nine-game West Coast road trip as a small -110 betting favorite at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark.

Kyle Hendricks is like the frosting on a birthday cake. Peanut butter on toast. Hot fudge on a sundae.

The Chicago Cub is the best starting pitcher on MLB's top team, which stood 78-45 through Sunday's action.

Because the baseball gods decree that every season must feature an overly complicated debate about the "V" in "MVP," 2016 has given us the curious case of Kris Bryant.

There's no need to be curious about Bryant's stardom. It's legit. The Chicago Cubs picked him No. 2 overall in 2013, and all he's done since then is emerge as a No. 1 prospect and last year's National League Rookie of the Year. For his next act, he has eyes on the NL Most Valuable Player Award.

CHICAGO — In sports, we're used to losses prompting overly emotional and one-word reactions. Not so for the Chicago Cubs under manager Joe Maddon.

Sure, a baseball season is 162 games, but the sport still has its share of teams that allow a loss to linger. Maddon said he has been part of teams like that, so his objective when he joined Chicago in October 2014 was to keep emotions on an even keel.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte left Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers due to back discomfort, per Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

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St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday exited Thursday night's game against the Chicago Cubs after being hit on his right hand by a pitch in the 10th inning. He was placed on the disabled list after the game, and it's unclear when he'll return to the field. 

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The St. Louis Cardinals (60-54) and Chicago Cubs (71-41) are both coming off wins heading into the opener of a key four-game series between the National League Central rivals on Thursday at Wrigley Field.