Ross thankful for 'shitty play' of NL Central keeping Cubs in contention

Chicago Cubs manager David Ross is grateful for the poor performance of the National League Central because it has allowed his team to remain in the race for the division crown despite being six games under .500.

"Thank goodness for the shitty play of everybody in the division," Ross said, according to The Athletic's Patrick Mooney.

The Cubs got off to a decent start but are 6-16 since April 28. They're on pace for 90 losses, yet they still remain only 4 1/2 games out of first place in the NL Central, behind the Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates, who are tied for the lead at 25-22.

Chicago enters Tuesday having lost four consecutive series and has been outscored by 22 runs in May. Its bullpen is a big part of the problem, with Cubs relievers combining for the second-worst ERA (5.24) in the NL this month.

The month of May has been a bad for everyone in the NL Central aside from the Cardinals, who continue to recover from an awful start.

NL Central in May