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

By Nicholas Ian Allen

May 24, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale (41) prepares to deliver a pitch during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale (41) prepares to deliver a pitch during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 28, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Wild Card Standings

Los Angeles Dodgers (31-20, .608, +0.5)

Clayton Kershaw was knocked around for four runs and 11 hits, including three home runs – Sunday against the Cubs. Kershaw lasted just 4.1 innings. With a line like that, few would expect the Dodgers to have any chance against the defending World Champions.

Nevertheless, Los Angeles powered to a 9-4 win to cap a three-game weekend sweep. The Dodgers shut out Chicago Friday and Saturday and outscored the Cubs 18-4 in the set.

Arizona Diamondbacks (31-21, .596, – GB)

The Rockies have been a dominant force in the NL West, and the Dodgers still look like a World Series contender, but the Diamondbacks aren’t going anywhere. Arizona lost two in a row at the end of a four-game weekend series in Milwaukee, but won 10 of its previous 11 games to that point.

St. Louis Cardinals (24-23, .511, 4.5 GB)

Chicago Cubs (25-24, .510, 4.5 GB)

Cincinnati Reds (24-25, .490, 5.5 GB)

Pittsburgh Pirates (23-28, .451, 5.5 GB)

Atlanta Braves (21-27, .438, 8.0 GB)

New York Mets (21-27, .438, 8.0 GB)

San Francisco Giants (22-30, .423, 9.0 GB)

Miami Marlins (18-30, .375, 11.0 GB)

San Diego Padres (19-33, .365, 12.0 GB)

Philadelphia Phillies (17-31, .354, 12.0 GB)

Every time it looks like the Cubs are close to breaking out and taking control of the NL Central, they take a step back. Chicago climbed to the top of the division after winning three in a row against the Giants, but were swept in three games at Dodger Stadium to fall back to third place.

Next: MLB Trade Rumors: 5 players Rangers need

The Cubs, who posted win No. 25 in their 31st game last season before going on to win the World Series, are now 25-24. That lack of dominance means all three of the Cubs’ division rivals are still in the mix in the NL Wild Card race. St. Louis, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh are all within 4.5 games of first place in the Central.

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