Here in Pirates nation, we have been on a roller coaster ride since the beginning of the season, as the team has been up and down, flirting with .500, then a division crown, then a Wild card spot, then back to .500, and now a Wild Card opportunity again. Still, the addition of the second Wild Card has created quite a crazy race down the stretch in the National League. Here are the current N.L. Wild Card Standings as of this moment:
N.L. Wild Card Standings
Atlanta Braves: 85-63
St. Louis Cardinals: 77-70
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Los Angeles Dodgers: 76-71 (1)
Milwaukee Brewers: 74-72 (2.5)
Pittsburgh Pirates: 74-72 (2.5)
Philadelphia Phillies: 74-74 (3.5)
With the addition of the second wild card, there are six teams that are in serious contention for the postseason at this point. Let’s take a look at where each team stands currently and where they’re headed for the rest of the season.
[box_dark] Atlanta Braves – 85-63 Record, 2nd In N.L. East – 1st Wild Card [/box_dark]
Four Straight Victories (Including 3 Game Sweep of Washington Nationals)
Remaining Schedule:
September 18-19: @ Miami Marlins (10-3 Record in 2012)
September 21-23: @Philadelphia Phillies (10-5 Record in 2012)
September 25-27: Vs. Miami Marlins (10-3 Record in 2012)
September 28-30: Vs. New York Mets (10-5 Record in 2012)
October 1-3: @ Pittsburgh Pirates (2-2 Record in 2012)
The Braves have a huge lead in the Wild Card race, and barring an unequivocal collapse, they’ll be coasting into the postseason.
[box_dark] St. Louis Cardinals – 77-70 Record, 2nd In N.L. East – 2nd Wild Card [/box_dark]
Last Five Games: 2-3 Record, Including Split With Los Angeles Dodgers
Remaining Schedule:
September 18-20: Vs. Houston Astros (3-3 Record In 2012)
September 21-23: @ Chicago Cubs (8-6 Record In 2012)
September 24-26: @ Houston Astros (3-3 Record In 2012)
September 28-30: Vs. Washington Nationals (1-3 Record In 2012)
October 1-3: Vs. Cincinnati Reds (6-6 Record In 2012)
The Cardinals have nine of their remaining 15 games against the Cubs and Astros, baseball’s two worst teams. But the Cardinals have just a 14-12 record against those clubs so far this year.
[box_dark] Los Angeles Dodgers – 76-71 Record, 2nd In N.L. West – 1 Game Back Of Wild Card [/box_dark]
Last Five Games: 2-3 Record, Including Series Split With St. Louis Cardinals
Remaining Schedule:
September 18-20: @ Washington Nationals (3-0 Record In 2012)
September 21-23: @ Cincinnati Reds (2-1 Record In 2012)
September 25-27: @ San Diego Padres (9-6 Record In 2012)
September 28-30: Vs. Colorado Rockies (7-9 Record In 2012)
October 1-2: Vs. San Francisco Giants (6-9 Record In 2012)
The Dodgers have a brutal road trip at Washington, Cincinnati, and San Diego before returning home for a difficult pair of series against the Rockies and Giants. L.A. has the most talent of the outsiders looking in, but they also have the toughest remaining schedule.
[box_dark] Milwaukee Brewers – 74-72 Record, 3rd In N.L. Central – 2.5 Games Back Of Wild Card [/box_dark]
Last Five Games: 4-1 Record vs. Atlanta Braves and New York Mets
Remaining Schedule:
September 18-20: @ Pittsburgh Pirates (8-4 Record In 2012)
September 21-24: @ Washington Nationals (1-3 Record In 2012)
September 25-27: @ Cincinnati Reds (5-7 Record In 2012)
September 28-30: Vs. Houston Astros (8-6 Record In 2012)
October 1-3: Vs. San Diego Padres (1-2 Record In 2012)
A couple weeks ago, the Brewers weren’t in the playoff picture at all, but with a potent offense like this, they can get on a roll and beat anyone. If they can stay close through this road trip through Pittsburgh, Washington, and Cincinnati, they’ll be in position to make a push at home against the Astros and Padres.
[box_dark] Pittsburgh Pirates – 74-72 Record, 3rd In N.L. Central – 2.5 Games Back Of Wild Card [/box_dark]
Last Five Games: 2-3 Record, Including Series Split @ Chicago Cubs
Remaining Schedule:
September 18-20: Vs. Milwaukee Brewers (4-8 Record In 2012)
September 21-23: @ Houston Astros (11-3 Record In 2012)
September 24-27: @ New York Mets (1-2 Record In 2012)
September 28-30: Vs. Cincinnati Reds (6-9 Record In 2012)
October 1-3: Vs. Atlanta Braves (2-2 Record In 2012)
The Pirates began a freefall for the second straight season earlier this month, but maybe, after a series split in Chicago against the Cubs, they are hanging around and staying relevant in the playoff picture. This week’s series against the Brewers is huge for Pittsburgh.
[box_dark] Philadelphia Phillies – 74-74 Record, 3rd In N.L. East – 3.5 Games Back Of Wild Card [/box_dark]
Last Five Games: 2-3 Record, Losing ¾ vs. Houston Astros
Remaining Schedule:
September 18-19: @ New York Mets (6-10 Record In 2012)
September 21-23: Vs. Atlanta Braves (5-10 Record In 2012)
September 25-27: Vs. Washington Nationals (7-5 Record In 2012)
September 28-30: @ Miami Marlins (8-6 Record In 2012)
October 1-3: @ Washington Nationals (7-5 Record In 2012)
The Phillies are another team that has seemingly come out of nowhere to be relevant in the playoff picture recently. They have a difficult schedule remaining, but have played well against the Washington Nationals, whom they face six more times this season.
For the past month or so, it seemed that the final Wild Card spot would come down to either the Cardinals, Dodgers, or Pirates. But as those three teams have struggled, the Brewers and Phillies have caught fire and now may actually have an advantage on the others. With some key matchups in the coming weeks, this season’s Wild Card race promises to be one of the more exciting in recent memory. Buckle up, baseball fans…and keep your fingers crossed for our Buccos!
