The National League Wild Card is suddenly relevant again
All things considered, the first half of the National League season was a rather boring. A rich upper class based in Washington, Los Angeles, Arizona and Colorado reigned supreme over the rest of the league to such an extent that it seemed like the post All-Star break slate would simply be a formality.
However, as the second half has begun to take shape, a new day has dawned on the senior circuit. The Diamondbacks and Rockies have started to hover closer to the rest of the pack, and the Wild Card scene has suddenly become a much wider world again.
As the trade deadline draws nearer and teams begin to load up to make the run toward October, the fight for the final postseason slots (and perhaps more for inhabitants of the NL Central) is beginning to become far more crowded and much more interesting.
Here is a look at the road ahead for the leaders in the pack in the newly reinvigorated National League Wild Card race, as well as the biggest mountain to clear each team faces as the summer approaches fall.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Although expectations of keeping pace with the Dodgers have long past, the D’Backs have bigger issues at hand. After losing nine out of their last 12 games, they find themselves 5.5 games up in the Wild Card race, far closer to firing range from the field than they have been at any other point in the season.
Despite this recent slide, they should still be seen as a favorite to represent one of the Wild Card spots as they are armed with one of the most potent offenses in the game and a better-than-advertised pitching staff. Plus, they've further stacked the deck even by adding J.D. Martinez to what now is officially a devastating lineup armed with four batters with an OPS that lands in the NL’s top 30.
With such devastating offensive potential up and down the lineup and presence of both Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray to offer up in the Wild Card play-in game, Arizona is built to make a run this season, no matter where the team finishes in the standings.
Mountain to clear: The bridge from August into September Over a nine-game span from Aug. 29 to Sept. 6, the D’Backs have six games against the Dodgers and three against Colorado. If they can emerge from that run in good shape, the rest of the month is built for a smooth ride into October.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubbies struck first in lighting up the midsummer hot stove when they struck a blockbuster deal with their crosstown rivals to land the services of pitcher Jose Quintana. Although he only makes his way to the mound once every fifth day, his debut was of a resounding nature that symbolizes the level the club has operated at since the All-Star break.
After scattering three hits over seven innings while striking out 12 in his series-clinching debut last Sunday, the Cubs have not taken their foot off the gas. They are a perfect 6-0 over the past week and have moved within a game of taking over the NL Central. While there could be more additions to their rotation, the defending champs finally look like they've awaken and are firmly back in the mix for the postseason.
Mountain to clear: Adding an elite arm See above. Having a deep rotation will pay off, especially when the second half of September is made up of nonstop series with the Rays, Brewers and Cardinals.
Colorado Rockies
After pulling off the biggest — and longest — breakout of the year, the Rockies have stumbled back toward the pack of late, and their regression has opened the door for the rest of the National League to get back into the race.
The challenge for the Rockies is different than that of many other teams. It is not about making a big acquisition or promoting a highly regarded prospect. Rather, it is simply picking themselves up by the bootstraps and rallying back toward their potential. Their pitching is better than maybe it has ever been, and offense is never the problem. It is simple: Avoid prolonged lulls such as the one mid-July brought on, and October is theirs — for at least a game.
Mountain to clear: Beating their peers The Rockies have built much of their record up against the league’s lesser teams while struggling against the NL’s elites, especially within their division. They are 11-13 against the Dodgers and D’Backs on the year, whom they face over an eight-game road streak from Sept. 7-14. That could very well be the hill the Rockies live or die upon this year.
Milwaukee Brewers
While Milwaukee has held down first place for nearly the past two months, the pressure that the Cubs are putting on them is very real. The Brewers still currently have a place in the postseason due to leading the NL Central, but they carry a worse record than either of the two current Wild Card leaders from the stacked NL West. With that, the challenge for the Brewers is not as much working ahead to reach the Wild Card slot as it to holding on in the NL Central.
To avoid ceding too much ground to the Cubs (and potentially the Pirates) down the stretch, making a blockbuster move of their own may be in order. While the club has been connected to the likes of big-ticket acquisitions Sonny Gray and Justin Verlander, it remains to be seen if the Brewers are willing to pay the price for such an addition. The club has stood firm in saying that it does not want to surrender the trove of prospects it acquired in a recent sell-off, thus reducing the potential of finalizing a big-name move.
The Brewers have proved they have the ammunition to play with anybody in the NL Central. But now the Brewers face some tough opposition from the Cubs and the teams eyeing the Wild Card. How they fortify their roster over the next week could foreshadow if this season’s coup has staying power or not.
Mountain to clear: Ryan Braun must stay healthy The Brewers have been able to thrive despite not having Braun for most of May and June, and he's been in and out of the lineup in July as well. Holding off the Cubs and keeping pace with the of the growing Wild Card pack will require having Braun on the field.
On the outside looking in… for now
There are a pair of teams currently on the outskirts of the race, but if they have the right hands dealt to them, they could be late entries into the postseason picture over the last two months.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves' chance at the postseason is admittedly a long shot, but seeing as they have been much better than anybody expected of late, they are worth a mention. Perhaps the most encouraging thing about where Atlanta lies headed into the later rungs of the year is they have already informed teams that they likely will not sell off many useful parts to help aid others' postseason runs. This is at the very least a sign of believing in their own prospects and also that they could make a bit of noise at the end of the year.
The Pirates have won 11 of their last 13 heading into the weekend and now sit only three games out of the NL Central race. It seems fairly certain at this point that no massive sell-offs will emanate from the ranks of the Bucs, and there could even be the opportunity for them to buy in on reinforcements by the end of next week if they climb back among the ranks of the NL’s second class.
Although their September is packed with divisional foes (including 24 straight days starting Sept. 1), things look good for the Bucs, who have six straight series starting on July 24 against fourth- and fifth-place teams. Sometimes a good run is made out of well-timed schedule.
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