The Chicago Cubs are the hottest team in Major League Baseball at the moment.

After their 8-5 victory over the San Francisco Giants, the Cubs improved their overall record to 73-51, and extended their winning streak to six games. The Cubs have won 21 of their last 25 games and have absolutely dominatied the month of August. The "Billy Goat Curse" of 1945 can't last forever, can it?

Anthony Rizzo has been the most productive Cubs player this season. He leads the team in hits (130), home runs (25), doubles (30), and runs batted in with 77. The Cubs' 16th ranked offense won't be mistaken for the '27 Yankees any time soon, but they have been improving dramatically.

Don't look now, but the Cubs also have the winningest pitcher in all of baseball. Jake Arrieta has an MLB-leading 16 victories this year for the Cubs, and a very impressive 2.22 ERA. It's going to be tough to get the CY Young award in the National League with so many high quality pitchers, but you can bet Arrieta will get some votes.

Jon Lester has been pretty inconsistent this season, but thanks to Venezuelan closer Hector Rondon and Jason Motte, the Cubs have the No. 6 ranked team ERA in the league.

Unfortunately for the Cubs, the St. Louis Cardinals have the best record in the league and lead the National League Central by a wide margin. The Cardinals have by far the best pitching staff in the game, and they should hold on to another division title. The Cubs are currently in third place in the NL Central as the Pirates are just two games ahead of them. The Pirates have the No. 2 ranked team ERA in baseball.

The NL Central has been phenomenal on the mound this year.

The Los Angeles Dodgers presently lead the National League West, but the last few weeks haven't been very smooth. The Dodgers have lost five of their last six games, including two of which were started by Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. At 68-56, the Dodgers lead the NL West even though they're in a slump. They can thank the struggling San Francisco Giants for that. The Giants, 66-59, have lost their last three, and five of their last six. The Giants won the World Series as a wild card team last season, but it doesn't look like any wild card team is coming out of the NL West this year.

Because of the Dodgers' slump, the New York Mets have now vaulted into second place in the NL. The Mets' offense has improved dramatically since the trade deadline thanks to the addition of Cuban outfielder Yoenis Céspedes. The Mets are now 69-56, and are currently riding a five game win streak. It will be tough for the Mets to catch the Cardinals for the No. 1 seed and get home field advantage in the playoffs, but they now have a six win advantage over the Nationals in the National League East.

There's still more than 40 games left in the season, and you can bet it will be filled with surprises, meltdowns and big tiebreakers. The Mets and Cubs are the hottest teams in the NL, while the Dodgers and Giants are struggling. With the Pirates right in the mix, this sets up for a great finish.

NL Standings

1. St. Louis Cardinals: 80-45

2. New York Mets: 69-56

3. Los Angeles Dodgers: 68-56

Wild Card

4. Pittsburgh Pirates: 75-49

5. Chicago Cubs: 73-51

Bubble Teams

6. San Francisco Giants: 66-59

7. Washington Nationals: 63-61

Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1