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MLB Wild Card Standings: Yankees, White Sox, Diamondbacks in the race

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Apr 30, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) scores in front of Baltimore Orioles catcher Welington Castillo (29) during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) scores in front of Baltimore Orioles catcher Welington Castillo (29) during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 29, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) hits a solo home run against the New York Mets during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) hits a solo home run against the New York Mets during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

National League Division Leaders

NL East

Washington Nationals (17-8, .680)

Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman and Daniel Murphy all look like MVP candidates through the first month of the season, and Trea Turner isn’t far behind. Together, the Nationals lineup leads the major leagues in OPS (.879), as well as all three slash categories (.295/.369/.510) and ranks second in home runs (43). Zimmerman is tied for the Major League lead with 11 long balls, and Harper is on pace to set a big league single-season record for runs scored.

NL Central

Chicago Cubs (13-11, .542)

It hasn’t always been pretty, but the defending champs are in first place in the competitive NL Central. The Cubs rank second in the NL in ERA (3.77) and fifth in OPS (.755) – a solid overall combination. Jake Arrieta (3-1, 4.66) and Kyle Hendricks (2-1, 4.18) have been far from dominant thus far, but led by Wade Davis (2-0, 0.00, 6 SV) the bullpen has been great. Anthony Rizzo leads the team with seven home runs, Jason Heyward has shown improvement at the plate, and Kris Bryant is heating up as well.

NL West

Colorado Rockies (16-10, .615)

A trendy preseason pick to contend in the Wild Card race, the Rockies are actually in first place in the NL West at the end of April despite playing without top offseason acquisition Ian Desmond until the final weekend. In Desmond’s absence, first baseman Mark Reynolds has hit eight home runs. Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon and Tony Wolters are all off to strong starts as well.

The Rockies have missed Chad Bettis and Jon Gray, and Tyler Chatwood has a substandard 4.88 ERA in five starts, but Antonio Senzatela (3-1, 2.81) and Kyle Freeland (3-1, 2.93) have been pleasant surprises in the starting rotation. Thanks to newcomers Mike Dunn and Greg Holland, the bullpen has also been uncharacteristically excellent.

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