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MLB Wild Card Standings: Angels gain ground without Mike Trout

By Nicholas Ian Allen

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 01: Ricky Nolasco #47 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim throws a pitch in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 1, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 01: Ricky Nolasco #47 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim throws a pitch in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 1, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 1: Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run during the fiifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on July 1, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 1: Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run during the fiifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on July 1, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

National League Division Leaders

NL East

Washington Nationals (48-34, .585)

It took a brilliant start from Max Scherzer and two homers from Bryce Harper, but the Nationals salvaged the final game of a three-game set in St. Louis Sunday night. The win was the first in four games for Washington, which has seen its division lead drop from double digits to 7.5 games in less than two weeks. It’s far too early to panic, especially since the rest of the weak NL East consists of four sub-.500 teams, but with World Series hopes high, a lackluster 13-14 record in June is a red flag.

NL Central

Milwaukee Brewers (44-40, .524)

The Brewers officially passed the halfway mark of the season last week, and have kept their hold on first place in the division for much of it. In fact, Milwaukee has had at least a share of first place in the Central every day since May 26.

Travis Shaw, Domingo Santana and Orlando Arcia have led the club offensively in recent weeks. Over the past 30 days, Archia has hit .362/.402/.564 with four home runs (three of them coming in his last six games, including both games in July), and 10 RBI. Shaw leads the club with eight homers and 23 RBI over the last calendar month, hitting .301/.414/.639 in 23 games during that span. Santana had five home runs and 14 RBI during that period, hitting .290/.376/.490 in his past 28 games.

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers (55-29, .655)

It took a while, but the Dodgers have finally taken control of the AL West. Familiar names like Clayton Kershaw, Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner and Corey Seager, plus budding superstar Cody Bellinger, have gotten most of the headlines. However, a big reason the Dodgers have won 27 of their last 36 games are relative unknowns like Austin Barnes, who hit two homers and led the team with seven RBI last week, and Chris Taylor, who hit his third grand slam of the season Saturday.

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