New York Mets
The New York Mets should clinch the National League East division title at some point in the upcoming week, while the St. Louis Cardinals look like they’ll hang onto their lead in the NL Central. That leaves the NL West division title and the NL Wild Card up for grabs as the regular season heads into its final few weeks. Here’s a look at the remaining schedules for the contenders for those two Senior Circuit playoff berths.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Have seen their lead in the NL West dwindle over the past week, with both the Padres and the Giants sneaking up on them. Los Angeles will see both of those teams over the next few weeks; the Padres this weekend and the Giants to finish out their regular-season schedule. The Dodgers’ other sets are against also-rans Chicago, Pittsburgh, Arizona, and Colorado. A strong result against San Diego could seal the West for them.
Have seen their lead in the NL West dwindle over the past week, with both the Padres and the Giants sneaking up on them. Los Angeles will see both of those teams over the next few weeks; the Padres this weekend and the Giants to finish out their regular-season schedule. The Dodgers’ other sets are against also-rans Chicago, Pittsburgh, Arizona, and Colorado. A strong result against San Diego could seal the West for them.
San Diego Padres
Along with the four-game series against the Dodgers, the Padres also play three against the Reds and three against the Cardinals (both on the road) in the next three weeks. San Diego will also see the Diamondbacks in two series, and the Pirates in one. With a harder schedule, the Padres can’t afford to lose much ground to the Dodgers this week.
Along with the four-game series against the Dodgers, the Padres also play three against the Reds and three against the Cardinals (both on the road) in the next three weeks. San Diego will also see the Diamondbacks in two series, and the Pirates in one. With a harder schedule, the Padres can’t afford to lose much ground to the Dodgers this week.
San Francisco Giants
The surging Giants play the Rockies six times over the next nine days, with a series against the Cardinals coming up on the weekend. From there it’s sets against Milwaukee and Arizona for San Francisco, before they end the regular season against the Dodgers. They’ll need to get past all of those also-rans to get into a playoff position.
The surging Giants play the Rockies six times over the next nine days, with a series against the Cardinals coming up on the weekend. From there it’s sets against Milwaukee and Arizona for San Francisco, before they end the regular season against the Dodgers. They’ll need to get past all of those also-rans to get into a playoff position.
Houston Astros
Patented late-season surge underway for the Astros? They don’t have a great chance of catching St. Louis in the Central, but they do play the Cards seven times over the next two weeks so they do still have a shot. Houston also has series against both Philadelphia and Cincinnati coming up, before they end their season with a stretch against Pittsburgh and Atlanta. Tough sched could put them out before that final week.
Patented late-season surge underway for the Astros? They don’t have a great chance of catching St. Louis in the Central, but they do play the Cards seven times over the next two weeks so they do still have a shot. Houston also has series against both Philadelphia and Cincinnati coming up, before they end their season with a stretch against Pittsburgh and Atlanta. Tough sched could put them out before that final week.
Cincinnati Reds
Slipping in the Central and the Wild Card standings, and have series with each of the Padres, Astros, and Marlins over the next three weeks. It’s not all bad news though – they get to play the Cubs seven more times, and they finish the regular season against the Pirates. If they don’t falter in those first sets, they can stay in contention to the end.
Slipping in the Central and the Wild Card standings, and have series with each of the Padres, Astros, and Marlins over the next three weeks. It’s not all bad news though – they get to play the Cubs seven more times, and they finish the regular season against the Pirates. If they don’t falter in those first sets, they can stay in contention to the end.
Philadelphia Phillies
Ryan Howard’s putting on a show, but the Phillies still have work to do to get into the playoffs. They don’t have any sets with the Mets left, but they have games against the Marlins (two series), Astros, and Braves. Those Atlanta and Houston sets are this week – which could decide their fate. Series against the Cubs and Nats round out their slate.
Florida Marlins
Can the Marlins get into the playoffs? Not if the schedule-maker has his way. Florida plays two series against New York, two against Philadelphia, one against Cincinnati, and one against Atlanta to close out their regular-season schedule. With no patsies on the slate, it’ll be tough for Florida to build up a winning streak and grab the Wild Card.
Can the Marlins get into the playoffs? Not if the schedule-maker has his way. Florida plays two series against New York, two against Philadelphia, one against Cincinnati, and one against Atlanta to close out their regular-season schedule. With no patsies on the slate, it’ll be tough for Florida to build up a winning streak and grab the Wild Card.
Atlanta Braves
Braves still a Wild Card contender? Not likely, but if they can get past rivals Philadelphia and Florida this week, then roll over lowly Washington and Colorado next week, they could still make some noise. Atlanta’s final week features series against the Mets and the Astros; the sets prior to that will determine whether that final week means anything.
Braves still a Wild Card contender? Not likely, but if they can get past rivals Philadelphia and Florida this week, then roll over lowly Washington and Colorado next week, they could still make some noise. Atlanta’s final week features series against the Mets and the Astros; the sets prior to that will determine whether that final week means anything.
