MLB Wild Card Standings: Twins, Angels tied; Brewers closing in on playoff spot

National League Division Leaders

NL East

Washington Nationals (74-48, .607)

Often overshadowed in the Cy Young race by his teammate Max Scherzer, Gio Gonzalez has been outstanding for the Nationals this season. Overall, the lefty is 12-5 with a 2.39 ERA. Last week, Gonzalez led Washington to two of its four wins, allowing just one unearned run in 12.2 innings combined between two starts. Gonzalez struck out 12, walked four and allowed just seven hits.

Howie Kendrick has been one of the most underrated trade deadline acquisitions in baseball since joining the Nationals. In 19 games with Washington, Kendrick is hitting .344/.385/.656 with five home runs, 14 RBI and 10 runs scored. Last week, Kendrick led the club with three homers, five RBI and five runs scored.

NL Central

Chicago Cubs (61-55, .526)

There were hiccups along the way, including the nine runs Jon Lester allowed in 1.2 innings in his only start, but it was a good week for the Cubs overall, who won five of seven games following a three-game weekend sweep of the Blue Jays.

Kyle Hendricks and Jose Quintana led the pitching staff, Javy Baez and Ian Happ homered three times apiece and Anthony Rizzo drove in 13 runs in seven games as the Cubs held on to their two-game lead in the division.

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers (87-35, .713)

The Dodgers continued their incredible pace by winning four of the five games they played last week, and even added to their chances of making it to the World Series by acquiring Curtis Granderson from the Mets. Granderson hit his first home run in Dodger blue Sunday, but Los Angeles fell to the Tigers 6-1, which ended a six-game winning streak.