Double Whammy: NL Central Rivals Suffer Setbacks

This week was a good week for some, but not for others. Two of the NL's most unbelievable threats suffered severe setbacks this week in their quest for the postseason and continued dominance of the NL Central Division.

Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are surpassing everyone's expectations, including their own. They were on pace to be an absolute threat to the Chicago Cubs and the emerging Houston Astros.

Then the bad news came dropping in like a ton of bricks on the Redbirds.

After sustaining an injury to his left calf during the June 3 series against Washington, Cardinals’ slugger Albert Pujols aggravated the same injury during the series against Cincinnati.

Pujols suffered the injury during the seventh inning of the Cards' win over the Reds, and he's expected to be out for at least three weeks.

MRIs taken on Wednesday showed between a Grade I and Grade II strain that would keep the All Star on the shelf through the end of June. Chris Duncan was called up from AAA and will start in Pujols' spot at first, as well as bat sixth, while Ryan Ludwick will bat in Pujols' spot.

Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs were on pace to finally break that infamous 100-year curse that has plagued them. They were playing like the Cubbies of old, and they had a stranglehold on the NL Central.

But karma has a way of creeping up on teams that look unstoppable.

It was proven last night as the man who has helped the Cubs achieve that first leg of greatness this season was taken out by a bad pitch. Atlanta Braves starter Jeff Bennett nailed Alfonso Soriano in his left hand during the second inning of the game at Wrigley.

Soriano is hoping for a quick recovery, but doctors are saying that the Cubs’ slugger will be out at least six weeks, making his return after the All-Star break, and possibly just in time for the final stretch of the regular season.

The Cubs will have to rely on Eric Patterson to pick up the slack left by the injury.

Before the injury, Soriano had a .283 batting average, 40 RBI, and a team-leading 15 home runs at the leadoff position.

The injury to both Pujols and Soriano could possibly open the door to either the Astros or the Brewers.

Without today's games included, here is where the NL Central currently stands:

Cubs: 42-24

Cardinals: 40-27 (2.5 GB)

Brewers: 34-31 (7.5 GB)

Astros: 33-33 (9 GB)

Pirates: 33-34 (9.5 GB)

Reds: 31-36 (11.5 GB)