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MLB Wild Card Standings: Orioles, Red Sox, Indians in tight AL race

By Nicholas Ian Allen

May 12, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph (36) triples against the Kansas City Royals during the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph (36) triples against the Kansas City Royals during the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 13, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Alex Wood (57) delivers a pitch in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Alex Wood (57) delivers a pitch in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Wild Card Standings

Los Angeles Dodgers (22-17, .564, +0.5)

The Rockies may be a true contender, but the Dodgers are still the best team in the NL West from top to bottom. LA has star power (Clayton Kershaw, Corey Seager, Justin Turner), talented youth (Cody Bellinger, Julio Urias) and depth (reigning NL Player of the Week Alex Wood), giving them a solid combination that should soon lead them to the top of the West.

Arizona Diamondbacks (22-18, .550, – GB)

The Brewers entered Monday with a slight lead over the D-Backs in the NL Wild Card standings, but lost the series opener against the Padres in extra innings in San Diego. Arizona came from behind to beat the Mets to jump back ahead. An improved pitching staff, led by a vintage Zack Greinke, has combined with the NL’s third highest scoring offense to lead the Diamondbacks to a surprisingly strong start.

Milwaukee Brewers (21-18, .538, 0.5 GB)

Cincinnati Reds (19-18, .514)

Chicago Cubs (18-19, .486, 2.5 GB)

New York Mets (16-21, .432, 4.5 GB)

Pittsburgh Pirates (16-22, .421, 5.0 GB)

San Francisco Giants (16-24, .400, 6.0 GB)

Atlanta Braves (14-21, .400, 5.5 GB)

Philadelphia Phillies (14-21, .400, 5.5 GB)

Miami Marlins (14-23, .378, 6.5 GB)

San Diego Padres (15-25, .375, 7.0 GB)

Unlike the American League, the bottom half of the National League is sinking farther and farther out of the Wild Card race, and the senior circuit is unlikely to see a reverse in that trend.

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All three NL division leaders appear to be legitimate contenders, the Dodgers and Cubs should still be considered division favorites, and the Reds and Diamondbacks both have staying power. Otherwise, unless the Mets or Pirates weather early season storms, or the Giants continue to play solid baseball (San Francisco has now won four in a row, the longest streak in the league) the rest of the NL appears to be out of the mix already.

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