MLB Wild Card Standings: Rockies collapse as Brewers surge

National League Division Leaders

NL East

Washington Nationals (82-54, .603)

Max Scherzer left his most recent start early with a minor leg injury, but the veteran right-hander strengthened his lead in the NL Cy Young Award race with two solid starts last week. Scherzer allowed just two runs in 12 innings combined, and struck out 12 while allowing four walks.

Teammate Stephen Strasburg was dominant in his lone start, going the distance for a shutout victory against the Marlins in which he allowed six hits and one walk, and even homered.

NL Central

Chicago Cubs (75-61, .551)

The race is far from over, but after beginning the week with a six-game winnings streak, the Chicago Cubs enter Monday with a 3.5-game lead over the Brewers in the NL Central standings.

Jake Arrieta and John Lackey combined for 13 scoreless innings in their two starts last week, and each picked up wins for their efforts. Offensively, Ian Happ and Kyle Schwarbered homered twice each, and Anthony Rizzo led the club with eight RBI in seven games to reach 100 for the season.

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers (92-44, .676)

Following a summer of dominance that included nearly three full months without a series loss, the Dodgers have now lost three series in a row. Los Angeles has looked very vulnerable over the past week, and has won just one of its last nine ballgames.

On a positive note, the 1-0 win the Dodgers had against the Padres Thursday in San Diego came with Clayton Kershaw on the mound. Out for more than a month, Kershaw showed no rust and should give the fans in L.A. plenty of confidence the Dodgers can get back on track for a World Series run in October.