All articles tagged with #nl wild card
The Atlanta Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series on Tuesday. Austin Riley hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to secure the win, ending a tense back-and-forth contest. The Braves now lead the best-of-three series 1-0, with Game 2 scheduled for Wednesday.
The Arizona Diamondbacks completed a series sweep of the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, winning 12-8 on Thursday to improve to 85-74. This victory keeps Arizona within 2.5 games of the third National League Wild Card spot with only three games remaining. The D-backs now await results from the Phillies and Padres to determine if they can control their playoff destiny in San Diego.
The Phillies can clinch their fifth straight postseason with a magic number of 3 during a six-game homestand against the Brewers and Rays, holding the NL’s final wild-card spot and eyeing seeds that range from No. 4 at home to No. 5/6 on the road depending on week results. Wheeler faces Milwaukee on Tuesday (vs Dustin May) and Nola starts Wednesday, with possible postseason rotations and a scenario where Wheeler would skip Sunday if clinched early to be ready for Game 1 of the playoffs. Phillies president Dave Dombrowski said postseason pursuit takes precedence over home-field, while tiebreakers among Cubs/Padres could still alter seedings for the first round.
Arizona activated Corbin Burnes from the 60-day IL and slated him to start tonight vs. the Kansas City Royals, returning after elbow surgery that sidelined him since June 2025; he’s been ramping up with a Reno rehab start and a recent minor-league scrimmage, providing a needed boost in a tight NL Wild Card race as Ryne Nelson is done for the season and Gallen/Soroka are progressing. The Diamondbacks also recalled Kade Strowd and optioned Gerardo Carrillo and Jose Cabrera, leaving the 40-man roster at 39.
Shota Imanaga tossed six scoreless innings, and the Cubs beat the Marlins 6-1 as Chicago seized the lead late before a shaky bullpen for Miami; Pete Crow-Armstrong earned Player of the Game honors, while Aaron Civale closed out the final outs, helping the Cubs climb back atop the NL Wild Card race after Philadelphia’s loss.
The Phillies rolled to a 7-1 win over Arizona behind Jesus Luzardo’s 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball and Bryce Harper’s four-hit night, moving ahead of the Cubs for the top NL wild-card spot and closing to within three games of the Braves; Philadelphia has won six in a row and 15 of 17, boosting their momentum as they prep for a seven-game stretch against Atlanta.
The Chicago Cubs face the San Diego Padres in a decisive Game 3 of the NL Wild Card series at Wrigley Field, with the Cubs relying on a favorable pitching matchup and strategic lineup decisions to advance, while the Padres aim to leverage their stronger performance against right-handed pitchers and key players like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Yu Darvish.
The final NL wild card spot will be decided on the last day of the MLB season, with the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets tied at 83-78. The Reds have the edge due to a better head-to-head record, and their fate depends on their game against the Brewers and the Mets' game against Miami. Both teams are vying for a playoff spot, with the Reds aiming to return to the postseason for the first time since 2020, and the Mets seeking to capitalize on their high payroll and previous playoff experience. The outcome will determine who faces the Dodgers in the NL Wild Card Series.
The Mets lost 10-3 to the Cubs at Wrigley Field, with Jonah Tong struggling early, leading to a heavy defeat. Despite the loss, the Mets remain close to the Wild Card spots, with key players like Soto hitting a home run. The series concludes Thursday night.
The Chicago Cubs secured a postseason spot for the first time since 2020, celebrating their achievement with joy after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates, marking a significant milestone in their season amidst ongoing efforts and aspirations for further success.
The Padres are in a strong position in the MLB power rankings, benefiting from a favorable schedule against teams that sold at the trade deadline, which could help them secure a wild-card spot and challenge the Dodgers in the NL West.
The New York Mets signed J.D. Martinez to a one-year deal, providing them with a seasoned hitter to bolster their lineup amidst stiff competition for the NL wild-card spot. The move allows the Mets to balance the development of their young players with the immediate goal of making the playoffs, while also addressing concerns about the performance and age of existing players. Despite potential risks associated with Martinez's age and recent performance, the Mets are committed to winning this year and believe Martinez's hitting prowess will significantly benefit the team.
Brandon Pfaadt, a rookie pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, will start Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Pfaadt had a challenging start to the season but improved in his final seven regular season games, including a recent outing with 5.2 scoreless innings. Zac Gallen is expected to start Game 2, and Merrill Kelly would be next in line if the series goes to a third game.
The Arizona Diamondbacks will face the Milwaukee Brewers in a best-of-three National League Wild Card Series. The D-backs clinched the third and final NL Wild Card spot with an 84-78 record. The Brewers, who won the NL Central, have a strong pitching arsenal led by Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta. The Diamondbacks took four of six games against the Brewers this season. The winner of this series will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have two ways to secure a playoff spot on Saturday: by winning their game against the Houston Astros or if the Cincinnati Reds lose to the St. Louis Cardinals. After losing on Friday, the Diamondbacks' No. 2 starter, Merrill Kelly, will pitch on Saturday instead of being saved for the postseason. He will face off against Justin Verlander.