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MLB Wild Card Standings: Cubs make a move

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Jun 4, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward (22) catches a ball hit by St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Carpenter (13) in the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 4, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward (22) catches a ball hit by St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Carpenter (13) in the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner (7) throws out Oakland Athletics second baseman Jed Lowrie (not pictured) during the first inning at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner (7) throws out Oakland Athletics second baseman Jed Lowrie (not pictured) during the first inning at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

National League Division Leaders

NL East

Washington Nationals (35-20, .636)

Bryce Harper was largely absent from the lineup this week – both literally and figuratively. Harper sat for his suspension following the Hunter Strickland-induced brawl between the Nationals and Giants, and didn’t record a hit in the three games he played. Nevertheless, the Nationals won five out of six games in the Bay Area and increased their division lead to 10.5 games.

Powered by Ryan Zimmerman, who overtook Rockies leadoff man Charlie Blackmon for the RBI lead (48) after he drove in nine during the week, Washington leads all of baseball with 314 runs scored.

NL Central

Milwaukee Brewers (30-27, .526)

The Brewers haven’t won a series since taking three of four games in San Diego May 15-18, yet managed to hold on to a close lead in the NL Central following a series split against the Mets in New York and salvaging a 3-0 win over the Dodgers Sunday to avoid a sweep at home.

Milwaukee built its strong start primarily on offense, but got terrific pitching all week from starters Chase Anderson, Junior Guerra, Jimmy Nelson and Zach Davies. The quartet combined to allow just two earned runs in 32 innings across five starts. Reliever Oliver Drake worked four perfect innings in four appearances during the week.

NL West

Colorado Rockies (36-23, .610)

The Rockies sit half a game ahead of the Dodgers for first place in the National League, mere percentage points ahead of Los Angeles, following a 3-4 week. Colorado’s trio of young starters – Antonio Senzatela, Tyler Anderson, and German Marquez – all struggled last week, but fellow rookie Jeff Hoffman was terrific Sunday. Hoffman allowed just three hits, including a solo home run while striking out nine without a walk in a 3-1 win over the Padres.

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