After one full dominating month, can NL Central continue MLB takeover?

The Cincinnati Reds, fueled by Elly De La Cruz's dynamic play, continue to run roughshod, despite entering Friday with MLB's No. 30-ranked team batting average.

Of course, it helps when the Reds' all-or-nothing lineup entered Friday with 42 home runs, tied for the league's fourth most.

The Chicago Cubs, powered by a recent 10-game winning streak, also had 42 homers, but they were boosted by a team batting average of .261.

The St. Louis Cardinals, who are developing into one of the league's most streaky clubs, claimed a four-game series from the Pittsburgh Pirates to climb back within two games of leading the major league's most competitive division.

The first-place Reds entered the weekend at 20-11, one game ahead of the Cubs (19-12) and two games ahead of the Cardinals (18-13).

With the Milwaukee Brewers (16-14) effectively utilizing small-ball tactics and the running game to bewilder defenses and the Pittsburgh Pirates (16-16) receiving a boost from its young core and rising pitching staff, the division race displayed signs of remaining tight throughout the summer months.

Entering Thursday's MLB games, all AL squads, sans the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays, would have resided in the basement of the NL Central.

It's proving to be one of the top early big-league trends to watch.

Can Reds power way to tough NL Central crown?

Throughout spring training, the Reds, Cardinals and Pirates didn't create much title-contention buzz. The injury-riddled Cubs may evolve into the division's most complete club, and the Brewers' style of play often creates decisive defensive decisions, creating a unique mix of organizational philosophies. 

The division's championship chase could remain among the big league's most entertaining races.

The last-place Pirates would currently be considered an AL postseason contender. They possessed the same record as the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians, who were tied for the AL Central lead. Despite a five-game losing streak, the Pirates would have sat tied with the second-place Seattle Mariners in the AL West. In the AL East, they would have been in third place

Which team remains a likely candidate to fall off the NL Central summer pace?

The Cardinals had a minus-3 run differential. 

But so did the Reds.

True, but with De La Cruz and Sal Stewart combining for 19 homers through 31 games, the Reds could continue to power their way to one of the major league's most competitive championship fights.

Can the other five divisions catch up?