National League Wild Card standings: Giants, Pirates hold top two spots

The National League Wild Card standings looks like it is going to come down to a three-team battle for one spot.

More from Atlanta Braves

• Braves Rumors: 3 trade targets Vaughn Grissom can help Atlanta acquire
• Braves Rumors: Cubs trade, Vaughn Grissom targeted, Duvall’s conflict of interest
• Shohei Ohtani Rumors: The best trade package from every NL East team
• MLB Rumors: Potential Braves reunion, Lance Lynn no-trade clause and Orioles deadline intentions
• Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25

That is not to take it for granted that the San Francisco Giants will make it, but with a four-game cushion in the top Wild Card spot, they have put themselves in a good position. The bigger question for them might be whether or not they can wrestle away a division title from the Los Angeles Dodgers; the Giants are now 2.0 games back in the NL West after a blowout loss on Saturday night.

As for the second spot, the Pittsburgh Pirates would be in if the season ended today. They are trying to hold off the Milwaukee Brewers and the Atlanta Braves, with the New York Mets and Miami Marlins on the fringes and needing a miracle to get in.

1. San Francisco Giants – 82-66, +4.0 WCGB
2. Pittsburgh Pirates – 78-70, — WCGB
3. Milwaukee Brewers – 77-72, 1.5 WCGB
4. Atlanta Braves – 75-73, 3.0 WCGB
5. New York Mets – 72-77, 6.5 WCGB
6. Miami Marlins – 71-76, 6.5 WCGB

Like the A’s in the American League, the Brewers are trying to avoid an epic collapse after holding a comfortable division lead for much of the regular season. One week from now Milwaukee will play a crucial series on the road against the Pirates. As for any hope for either of those teams of winning the National League Central, the Pirates are currently 3.5 games back of the St. Louis Cardinals while the Brewers are 5.0 games back.

The Braves have long since lost hope for the National League East with the Washington Nationals running away in first place. As for their prospects for the Wild Card, they are about to start a 10-game home stand that will tell us a lot about whether or not they should be in the postseason. That stand wraps up with a four-game set against the Pirates.

These teams still play each other between now and the end of the season, leaving plenty of room for things to change in the National League Wild Card standings.

Stay tuned to FanSided for all of the latest news, rumors, and analysis for Major League Baseball as the season races towards the postseason and the hot stove this off-season.