The National League Wild Card is a little clearer than the A.L. race. The N.L. Wild Card is dominated by two teams out of the Central division; Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds. What does that mean for the rest of the competition?
The Washington Nationals and Arizona Cardinals are third and fourth in the N.L. Wild Card standings. However, the Nationals, being the closest of the two teams, are sitting six games back from second-place Reds. The Nationals have been playing way better baseball now that they are healthy. The Nationals are 75-69 and finally playing consistent baseball, having won four straight games and posting a 7-2 record in the month of September.
Can they make a run in the final two weeks of the season? Their hopes are pretty much done in the N.L. East as the Atlanta Braves' magic number is just seven with 18 games remaining in the season. So the N.L. Wild Card appears to be the only playoff route for the Nationals. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks might as well give up. Their elimination number is now sitting at nine and they have lost three straight games, going 3-7 in their last 10 games.
For now, unless something drastic happens in the second half of this week, the Reds and Pirates should be pretty secure at the top of the Wild Card standings. The Pirates are two games up on the Reds and even if they blow that lead, the six-game cushion separating the second and third-place Wild Card teams should be enough to get the Pirates in the playoffs for the first time since the days when Barry Bonds played in Pittsburgh.
Click here for the complete N.L. Wild Card standings
Top Teams in the N.L. Wild Card:
Pittsburgh Pirates: 83-61
Cincinnati Reds: 82-64
Washington Nationals: 75-69 (6 GB)
Arizona Diamondbacks: 72-72 (9 GB)
