The Cardinals will win the N.L. Central, say SB Nation FanPulse members

Welcome to SB Nation FanPulse, a survey of fans across MLB. Each week, we send 30 polls to plugged in fans from each team. Cubs fans, sign up HERE to join FanPulse.

This week, fans of all 30 MLB teams were asked about both Central division races, the one between the Cardinals and Cubs in the N.L. and the Twins/Indians race in the A.L.

The Cubs begin Thursday four games behind the Cardinals with 17 remaining, and most SB Nation FanPulse members said that’s going to be too much for the Cubs to overcome:

The Cubs’ potential saving grace here is the seven games they have remaining with the Cardinals, beginning with a four-game set that starts a week from tonight at Wrigley Field. In order to have those games be meaningful, I’d say the Cubs will have to cut at least two games off that lead in the next week.

That’s not going to be easy, but it is certainly possible.

FanPulse members were also asked about the A.L. Central race between the Indians and Twins. Here’s the result:

The Twins’ performance this year is a bit of a surprise, given their 78-84 record in 2018. They’ve smashed a MLB record 277 home runs so far this year, one of the biggest reasons for their current first-place standing. They lead the Indians by five games entering Thursday’s action, and the teams play only three more times, this weekend in Cleveland. That’ll probably be the Tribe’s last chance to get back in the race, as Minnesota’s final 13 games are against the White Sox, Tigers and Royals.

As far as the results for other Cubs-related questions in this week’s survey, confidence in the Cubs is at a season-low 13 percent, way down from 31 percent last week:

Approval of Joe Maddon’s performance is also at a season low. It’s at 63 percent, down somewhat from 72 percent last week. That’s still a healthy majority of all voters, though.

You can still have your voice be heard in SB Nation FanPulse. Sign up at the link at the top of this post.