MLB playoff picture: NL race gets muddier
Every night leading up to the final day of the season, theScore's MLB editors will keep you updated on the latest happenings surrounding the playoff race. Here's where everyone stands in what's becoming a messy National League playoff picture after play ended Tuesday.
NL Central
| Team | W-L | PCT | GB | E# |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cubs | 91-66 | .580 | -- | -- |
| Brewers | 91-67 | .576 | 0.5 | 5 |
| Cardinals | 87-71 | .554 | 4.5 | 1 |
The Cubs fell to the Pirates, but they saw their magic number to clinch a postseason spot shrink to one after the Cardinals lost. Chicago's magic number for the division remains at five thanks to Milwaukee's win. Joe Maddon's team should be looking over its shoulder because the Brewers are coming; with a 12-4 win over the Cardinals, they pulled within a half-game of Chicago for the division lead.
St. Louis, meanwhile, is now on the brink of elimination from the division race.
NL West
| TEAM | W-L | PCT | GB | E# |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodgers | 88-70 | .561 | -- | -- |
| Rockies | 87-70 | .551 | 0.5 | 5 |
The Dodgers lost, so their magic number to clinch a sixth straight postseason spot and the division remains at five. Their walk-off loss to Arizona brought the Rockies - who beat Philadelphia - to within a half-game in the NL West, and the rivals are now tied in the loss column. Colorado has five games remaining, while the Dodgers have just four - this race will be decided on the weekend.
NL Wild Card
| TEAM | W-L | PCT | GB | E# |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brewers | 91-67 | .576 | +3.5 | -- |
| Rockies | 87-70 | .551 | -- | -- |
| Cardinals | 87-71 | .551 | 0.5 | 5 |
Now we get to the real NL chaos.
The Brewers padded their lead for home-field advantage in the NL wild-card game and clinched at least the opportunity to host the one-game playoff should they fail to catch the Cubs in the division. The Rockies, meanwhile, jumped past the Cardinals with their win over Philadelphia and St. Louis' loss to claim full possession of the second wild-card spot, in addition to closing the gap on Los Angeles in the division.
AL West
| TEAM | W-L | PCT | GB | E# |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astros | 100-57 | .637 | -- | -- |
| Athletics | 95-63 | .601 | 5.5 | E |
Oakland's extra-inning walk-off loss in Seattle put an end to this race, as it gave the Astros their second straight AL West title.
Home Field AL Wild Card
| TEAM | W-L | PCT | GB | E# |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yankees | 97-60 | .618 | -- | -- |
| Athletics | 95-63 | .601 | 2.5 | 2 |
The Yankees moved closer to hosting the AL wild-card game for the second straight year when the A's lost to Seattle in extra innings. They can clinch home field as early as Wednesday.