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MLB Wild Card Standings: Dodgers in close race with Cardinals, Cubs

By Nicholas Ian Allen

May 20, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Marlins pitcher Dan Straily (58) beats Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley (26) to first base for an out in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. The Marlins defeated the Dodgers 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Marlins pitcher Dan Straily (58) beats Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley (26) to first base for an out in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. The Marlins defeated the Dodgers 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dodgers are still behind the Rockies in the NL West, but held steady over the Cubs and Cardinals in the MLB Wild Card standings.

The Dodgers entered the 2017 season as one of the favorites to win the World Series. Though the club has posted the best run differential (plus-64) in baseball through the first quarter of the schedule, Los Angeles is still looking up at the Colorado Rockies in the NL West standings, and remain neck-and-neck with the Arizona Diamondbacks in second place in the division.

There’s plenty of reason to believe the Dodgers will eventually pass the Rockies and secure the fifth straight division title for the franchise. Led by perennial Cy Young candidate Clayton Kershaw, surprising lefty Alex Wood and dominant closer Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles has the best ERA (3.41) in the major leagues. Also, the lineup doesn’t have an easy out, and ranks in the top five in the NL in batting average (.265) and OPS (.782).

Furthermore, LA has the deepest pockets and one of the deepest farm systems in baseball, meaning the club is capable of trading for just about anyone by the July 31 deadline to fill any holes that pop up between now and then.

However, the Dodgers have a fight on their hands. Colorado now owns the best record in the National League, and the Wild Card standings are also tight. The Dodgers, whose 26 wins are tied with Washington and Arizona for the second most in the National League behind the Rockies, hold a very slight lead over the Cardinals and Cubs for the final postseason spot.

As we begin the second quarter of the season, we take a closer look at the complete MLB Wild Card standings.

May 19, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) salutes the fans after hitting a solo home run to right field during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) salutes the fans after hitting a solo home run to right field during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /

American League Division Leaders

AL East

New York Yankees (25-16, .610)

Despite their recent struggles – three loses in four games, and seven defeats in 11 contests – the Yankees have been one of the best teams in baseball so far this season. New York leads the American League in runs scored (232), batting average (.270), on-base percentage (.349), slugging (.452), and OPS (.801) and ranks second in home runs (63) while also ranking third in runs allowed (177) and fifth in ERA (3.91).

AL Central

Cleveland Indians (23-19, .548)/ Minnesota Twins (22-18, .550)

It’s easy to believe the defending AL pennant winners are still the favorite to win the Central, especially given the Tribe’s recent sweep of the Astros – which propelled Cleveland into a tie with Minnesota for first place in the division. However, the Twins have been pesky and also took two out of three games in Cleveland just over a week ago.

AL West

Houston Astros (29-15, .659)

(Insert “Houston, we have a problem” joke here). Still the best team in baseball, but for how long? The Astros placed two of their biggest stars on the disabled list – Cy Young candidate Dallas Keuchel and slugging catcher Brian McCann – over the weekend.

Though Houston can overcome McCann’s weeklong concussion stint, starting pitching depth was already an issue and Keuchel has been outstanding. In nine starts this season, the lefty is 7-0 with a major league leading 1.84 ERA. The pinched nerve that sidelined Keuchel isn’t expected to be serious, but it’s still an issue worth monitoring.

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