MLB Wild Card Standings: Royals surge into postseason position

National League Division Leaders

NL East

Washington Nationals (59-38, .608)

The largest division lead in the National League belongs to the Washington Nationals. The Nationals have won eight of their last 10 games after taking two of three games over the weekend against the Wild Car leading Arizona Diamondbacks.

Bryce Harper was a big reason for Washington’s success during the week. Harper led the club with three home runs and six RBI and hit .476/.542/1.095 with 10 hits in five games.

On the mound, Stephen Strasburg posted a 1.00 ERA with 13 strikeouts in nine innings across two starts, but was taken out of his start after just two innings Sunday. Sean Doolittle picked up his first two saves in two opportunities with the club.

NL Central

Milwaukee Brewers (53-48, .525)/Chicago Cubs (51-46, .526)

The Brewers picked a bad time to lose seven of eight games. The disastrous road trip into Pennsylvania, coupled with the Cubs winning eight of nine games, allowed Chicago to erase a 5.5-game lead in the division in a week.

Things could get worse before they get better for Milwaukee, as the Brewers travel to Washington for a three-game series to begin the week. The Cubs and Brewers will then meet in Milwaukee for a must-see weekend series.

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers (68-31, .687)

Like the Nationals, the Dodgers saw a distressing sight Sunday when Clayton Kershaw left his start early due to injury. Kershaw, who allowed seven hits and struck out nine in nine scoreless innings over the week, is likely headed to the disabled list. The extent of Kershaw’s injury could have a major impact on L.A.’s plans for the upcoming trade deadline.