Fansided

MLB Wild Card Standings: Twins expand lead and Rockies bounce back

By Joshua Sadlock

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 19: Jorge Polanco (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 19: Jorge Polanco (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 10: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after clinching the National League East after the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on September 10, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 10: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after clinching the National League East after the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on September 10, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

National League Division Leaders

NL East

Washington Nationals (88-56, .611)

The Nationals have another NL East title clinched and can begin preparing for the playoffs. The number-one seed could still be in play, and it will be up to manager Dusty Baker to determine how aggressively he wants to pursue it over the next three weeks. It may actually benefit the Nationals more to stay in the number-two slot and avoid the hard-charging Arizona Diamondbacks or Colorado Rockies who have more potent offensive attacks than any of the potential NL Central champions

NL Central

Chicago Cubs (78-66, .542)

The Cubs continue to leave the door open for the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers. Over the past week, they’ve been swept by Milwaukee and have taken 12-0 and 15-2 beatings. It seemed almost impossible that the Cubs would miss the playoffs at the start of the year, but an inconsistent rotation and injuries have facing a stiff test the final three weeks of the year.

Kyle Schwarber may be starting to find his stroke in what amounts to a lost season for the big outfielder. He has hit .500 in his last eight at-bats with two home runs. He is still the greatest postseason hitter in Cubs history and is getting hot at the right time.

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers (93-52, .641)

It was obvious the Dodgers would win again eventually, but it’s still easy to see why Los Angeles baseball fans are incredibly nervous. They have only won two times in their past 17 games, and Clayton Kershaw has both of the victories. Manager Dave Roberts must keep his clubhouse engaged and keep them from pressing. The key point to drive home is that the Dodgers still have the best record in the National League.

Home/MLB