Much like the American League, the division races are all but over in the National League with the Nationals and Dodgers leading their divisions by a handful of games. In addition to that, the Cubs have already locked down the Central and seem to be on pace to reach one hundred wins. Although there is little intrigue in the division races, the National League has three teams fighting for two wild card berths in a race that will surely go down to the seasons final weekend. Currently the Giants, Cardinals and Mets are all tied atop the wild card standings but, only two will have the chance to play in October.

San Francisco Giants: The Giants, who held baseball’s best record at the All Star break have taken a huge 180. The Giants who are 23- 38 since the break are in free fall and in serious trouble with a week and a half to go. The Giants have struggled offensively since the break and their bullpen has been putrid. Just twenty days into the month, the Giants have lost five games when leading in the ninth inning, which is the most of any Giants bullpen ever in a single month. If the Giants want to battle in the Wild Card playoff, they will need to rely on lefties Madison Bumgarner and Matt Moore to get them there.

New York Mets: The defending National League champions have had a relatively quiet 2016, but they can change that by playing their best baseball for their final ten games. The Mets may be in the best position of any of the teams fighting for a wild card spot, due to the fact they have games remaining against the Braves, Marlins and Phillies. The Mets have relied on guys like Yoenis Cespedes to carry the load offensively and youngster Seth Lugo on the mound, with guys like Matt Harvey and Jacob Degrom out for the season. The Mets may also get a boost with Steven Matz expected to return as early as Friday from a bone spur injury in his left elbow.

St. Louis Cardinals: The Cards, just like the Mets have played their best baseball in the second half of the year. The Cardinals have a fairly favorable schedule the rest of the way, as the play the Reds and Pirates at home, but they still have to face the Cubs three more times at Wrigley. The Cardinals have pitching that should be good enough going down the stretch with 16 game winner Carlos Martinez and veteran Adam Wainwright leading their staff. Wainwright has struggled to go deep in games as of late but I would expect the veteran to rebound and help pitch his team into the postseason.

Prediction: I expect both the Cardinals and Mets to secure the National League’s two wild card spots for one reason, consistency. Both have been playing good baseball in the second half of the year and should continue that trend with relatively weak schedules the rest of the way. The Giants won’t make the playoffs due to the fact their bullpen puts too much pressure on their starting pitching and even when their starters to pitch well, they always find a way to blow it in the ninth.