NL Wild Card Race Tightens as Diamondbacks, Padres, Braves Battle for Playoff Berths

The National League Wild Card race is heating up, with the Diamondbacks, Padres, and Braves battling for a spot in the postseason.Photo byImage: Tysonomo Multimedia

PHOENIX — The National League Wild Card race is intensifying as the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, and Atlanta Braves vie for postseason spots. With only weeks remaining in the regular season, every game is crucial for these teams.

The D-backs lead the trio with a 75-56 record, holding a 1.5-game lead over the Padres and a 4.5-game advantage over the Braves. If the playoffs began today, Arizona, currently the fourth seed, would host the fifth-seeded Padres at Chase Field, according to Sportsnaut.com.

The Teams

Arizona has been on fire recently, going 7-3 in its last 10 games and showcasing remarkable team chemistry. The offense has been highly impactful overall, scoring 701 runs while allowing 609, resulting in a plus-92 run differential, according to MLB.com.

Despite missing key hitters Gabriel Moreno, Christian Walker, and Ketel Marte, the D-backs have managed to post a major league-best .853 OPS since the All-Star break.

As of today, Baseball-Reference gives the D-backs a 98.5% chance of making the postseason.

The Padres, trailing the D-backs by 1.5 games with a 74-58 record, have been inconsistent lately, going 5-5 in their last 10 games. Overall, they hold a plus-64 run differential, having scored 625 runs while allowing 561.

Despite their recent struggles, Baseball-Reference gives the Padres a 98.2% chance of making the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Braves, holding a 70-60 record and going 6-4 in their last 10 games, are 4.5 games behind the D-backs. According to Baseball-Reference, the Braves have a 65.9% chance of reaching the postseason.

Notably, the D-backs and Padres are scheduled to square off during the final weekend of the regular season at Chase Field.

The three-game showdown begins on Sept. 27, followed by games on Sept. 28, and the series finale on Sunday, Sept. 29.