MLB Wild Card Standings: Royals open lead in American League race

National League Division Leaders

NL East

Washington Nationals (62-41, .602)

Ryan Zimmerman hit .350/.381/1.000 with four home runs, nine RBI and five runs scored in five games last week. Bryce Harper, Brian Goodwin and Wilmer Difo all homered twice, and Anthony Rendon had seven hits and four scored four runs for the highest scoring team in the National League.

Max Scherzer picked up win No. 12 Thursday against the Brewers, allowing one run on three hits and three walks in six innings. Scherzer, who lowered his ERA to 2.23, struck out nine.

NL Central

Chicago Cubs (56-48, .538)

The pitching staff carried the Cubs back into first place last week. Kyle Hendricks posted a 1.93 ERA in 9.1 innings across two starts, and Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, John Lackey and Jose Quintana all posted quality starts in their most recent appearances. Wade Davis, Brian Duensing, Carl Edwards, Jr., Hector Rondon and Pedro Strop combined for 14.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

Offensively, Jon Jay led the way with nine hits and Kyle Schwarber connected for two homers. Schwarber, Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras tied for the team lead with five RBI.

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers (74-31, .705)

The Dodgers were a perfect 6-0 last week to bring their current winning streak to eight. Los Angeles has had three streaks of at least eight wins since June 16 and are 33-5 over that span.

Corey Seager led the club with 11 hits and tied Joc Pederson for the team lead with two homers and five runs scored in six games last week. Hyun-Jin Ryu returned from the DL and made two strong starts, including seven shutout innings in Sunday night’swin over the Giants. Kanley Jansen saved three games in four appearances.