MLB Wild Card Standings: Cubs missed an opportunity
NL Wild Card Standings
Arizona Diamondbacks (48-28, .632, +2)
The second hottest team in the National League actually lost ground in its division last week. The Diamondbacks, winners of 14 of their last 17 games, were two games back in the NL West when the week began. Arizona won four of six, including a 2-1, 11th-inning walk-off win over the Phillies Sunday. However, because the Dodgers are on a 10-game winning streak, the now D-Backs sit 2.5 games back. Fortunately, the club has a big cushion in the NL Wild Card Standings, 9.5 games ahead of the Cubs.
Colorado Rockies (47-31, .603)
The Rockies have spent 51 days in first place, but were never able to build a lead larger than 2.5 games over either the Diamondbacks or Dodgers. After losing five of six games combined against those two teams last week, Colorado is suddenly 4.5 games out of first place. A trip to San Francisco could help reverse that troubling trend, though the Rockies must then travel to Phoenix for a three-game weekend set.
Chicago Cubs (38-37, .507, 7.5 GB)
Atlanta Braves (36-39, .480, 9.5 GB)
Pittsburgh Pirates (35-41, .461, 11 GB)
St. Louis Cardinals (34-40, .459, 11 GB)
Miami Marlins (34-40, .459, 11 GB)
New York Mets (34-41, .453, 11.5 GB)
Cincinnati Reds (31-43, .419, 14 GB)
San Diego Padres (31-45, .408, 15 GB)
San Francisco Giants (27-51, .346, 20 GB)
Philadelphia Phillies (24-50, .324, 21 GB)
The Cubs were unable to capitalize on Milwaukee’s so-so week, and remain 1.5 games back in the Central after winning four of seven games combined against the Padres and Marlins. Pitching wasn’t the problem as Chicago allowed just 11 runs in those seven games (1.57) thanks to strong starting performances from Mike Montgomery, Jake Arrieta and John Lackey, as well as good work from relievers Wade Davis, Carl Edwards, Jr., Justing Grimm and Hector Rondon, among others.
Over the last two weeks, the Giants have dropped 9.5 games lower in the NL Wild Card standings. San Francisco now leads the major leagues with 51 losses, and is just a single game ahead of the Phillies, who still have the worst record in baseball.