Right now, the NL Wild Card race has the Cardinals and Phillies nabbing the spots. And as someone who remembers the 2011 NLDS, I am outwardly opposed to the season ending like this.
The three teams in striking distance to the contenders are the Rockies, Brewers and Dodgers. Yes, we also have the Nationals and Pirates 6 games behind, but unless either team becomes incredible in the next 2 weeks, which is possible but not accessibly happening, it's gonna be that gene pool of 5.
And meanwhile, we have the Arizona Diamondbacks, whose lead over the NL West is thin enough that the Rockies or Dodgers could theoretically catch them. So they, too, could be entered into the Wild Card race.
...and also the Braves, because the Phillies could lap them. So that's 7.
...and we're also assuming that the Brewers won't lap the Cubs, because they won't, but for shits and giggles, let's say they might. So that's 8 teams in the race.
...actually, you know what, let's throw the Nats and Pirates back in there, make it an even 10.
...So. This race, even without my little additions, is crowded as hell. And everyone is so close together that it could be anyone landing in any spot. It's musical chairs. The AL race isn't like this, because everybody's really bad in the AL. But because it's competitive in the NL, and so many teams are competing and actually good...now it's a race.
The D-Backs may be getting in naturally, thanks to the burst of energy these past few weeks. Nick Ahmed has come up in a big way, doing what Chris Owings did last year. Eduardo Escobar has been filling in wonderfully for Jake Lamb. Greinke-Corbin-Buchholz is still explosive as all hell. The bullpen is still outrageous, Goldschmidt is still a league power, and they're currently holding off the other two teams, who are arguably just as good.
I don't know how this division will pan out, because it could be any of the three, like last year, but...the D-Backs have a nice shot. I kinda like their odds.
Coming Tomorrow- Another moment with the impeccably weird Rays. This time, with a rookie infielder who's pretty good.
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