Ten Teams — Ten! — Vie For National League Playoff Slots

By Dan Schlossberg

Thanks to a system that allows 12 teams to reach the playoffs, the race for the National League’s three wild-card slots is gaining steam like a runaway locomotive.

Entering play Wednesday, the free-falling Atlanta Braves barely maintained the top spot but were hotly pursued by the Cardinals and Mets, who held the second and third spots. The Padres, D-backs, Pirates, Cubs, Reds, Giants and even the Nationals were within five-and-a-half games.

Only the Philadelphia Phillies, with the best record in baseball, and perhaps the Los Angeles Dodgers, who used to have the best winning percentage, seemed certain to get “byes” when October play begins.

Not so certain is the fate of the Milwaukee Brewers, long-time leaders in the NL Central. They’ve already lost their best hitter, Christian Yelich, with a back problem that could keep him sidelined for the season.

Equally uncertain is the trade market, since teams that think they sneak into the playoffs are often reluctant to break up a winning combination.

There are only a handful of sellers, trying to milk the most from the horde of buyers.

Yes, the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels, and Colorado Rockies should be selling, but will the price of their prizes fall as the July 30 deadline nears?

Nobody wants to take on additional payroll at this late date but no one wants to miss out on acquiring players who could help even beyond this season.

Jack Flaherty, enjoying a comeback as his contract expires, is likely to be dealt by Detroit during the trade deadline frenzy.Photo byBaltimore Orioles

Jack Flaherty and other two-month rentals might make a difference but the Tigers already know the wisdom of trading a promising Class B pitcher named John Smoltz for an accomplished veteran like Doyle Alexander. While the veteran lasted one season, the kid lasted 20 — and went all the way to Cooperstown after helping his new team win a record 14 division titles in a row.

There’s a three-way bidding war for Tampa Bay outfielder Randy Arozarena, with the Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Dodgers all hot to trot.

And the slumping New York Yankees, who started the season so well, need to upgrade their infield and patch up a pitching staff pummeled during the Mets sweep of the four-game Subway Series. Don’t be shocked if the Yanks move Gleyber Torres or even two-time batting champion DJ LeMahieu.

With 258 prospective free agents this fall, all teams have interest in getting something now for players likely to leave at the end of the season. Lots of surprises loom and lots of familiar names could be changing addresses (that means you, Mike Yastrzemski, and probably you too, Michael Conforto).

MLB Network and ESPN will be covering the frantic last few minutes of the July 30 deadline plus the hours that precede them. It should be fun for fans hoping to see their teams rebuild for the two-month stretch run.

Former AP sportswriter Dan Schlossberg of Fair Lawn, NJ is the author of Home Run King: the Remarkable Record of Hank Aaron and 40 other baseball books. To book a talk on books, baseball, or both, email ballauthor@gmail.com.