MLB postseason picture: Brewers gain on Cubs as plot thickens in NL Central race
September is upon us, which means every race in Major League Baseball is headed for the home stretch. Every game matters more than ever to the teams competing for a postseason spot. That’s why every night between now and the end of the regular season we’ll bring you an updated look at the MLB postseason picture.
If the postseason started tomorrow, the National League Central would be represented by three teams. Only one though would have a secure spot in the NLDS by virtue of winning the division. Right now, that team would be the Chicago Cubs.
The Milwaukee Brewers want nothing more than to take that spot away from the Cubs. They moved significantly closer to that goal with a big day on Friday.
Milwaukee rebounded from an early 3-1 deficit and a long rain delay to top the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-3 at PNC Park. That win, coupled with the Cubs surprising 10-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox, trimmed the Brewers deficit to 1.5 games.
Now the Brewers will look to do something they haven’t done since July 31. That’s cut the Cubs lead to less than one game. They’ll need to handle their own business and get a little more help from the White Sox to make it happen this weekend. If the White Sox are determined to play spoiler, maybe the Brewers will get what they need.
The state of MLB’s playoff races
• NL West: The Rockies were 6-2 winners against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and like the Brewers moved to 1.5 games back of the division-leading Dodgers. The Dodgers fell 5-3 to the San Diego Padres.
• NL East: Put the champagne on ice. The Atlanta Braves are on the verge of winning their second division title since 2005 after topping the second place Philadelphia Phillies, 6-5, at SunTrust Park. The Braves magic number was lowered to two, meaning they will clinch with another win against the Phillies on Saturday or Sunday. The Washington Nationals were officially eliminated from the division race with their 4-2 loss to the New York Mets.
• NL Wild Card: The Cardinals are long shots to win the NL Central at 4.5 games back, but they’re clinging tightly to the second Wild Card. St. Louis maintained its 1.5 game over the Colorado Rockies with a 5-3 win against the San Francisco Giants. The Brewers still hold the top NL Wild Card with a three game lead.
• AL West: The Houston Astros punched their ticket to the postseason with an 11-3 win against the Los Angeles Angels. Next, they’ll try to secure a second straight division title. The Oakland Athletics plan to make Houston work for it after beating the Minnesota Twins, 7-6, on Khris Davis’ walk-off home run. Oakland is 3.5 games back.
• AL Wild Card: The Yankees took another step toward the Wild Card with a 10-8 win against the Baltimore Orioles. They maintained a 1.5 game lead over the Oakland Athletics, who were also victorious. The Tampa Bay Rays stayed in the mix too with an 11-3 win in Toronto. They trail Oakland by 6.5 games for the second Wild Card.
Already clinched
• Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox clinched the AL East title at Yankee Stadium on Thursday and are now poised to lock up home-field advantage throughout the entire postseason. Friday’s 7-5 win against the Indians put their Magic Number for home field in the AL playoffs at one.
• Cleveland Indians: Even with the Cleveland Browns win on Thursday, the Indians have won more division titles the last three years than the Browns have regular season games.
Magic Number Watch
Atlanta Braves — 2: The Braves are aiming to celebrate at home this weekend.
New York Yankees — 2: The Yankees pursuit of an AL Wild Card could conclude as soon as Saturday. All they need is a win against the Orioles and a Rays loss.
Oakland Athletics — 3: The entire AL postseason field could be set by Monday. The A’s though are still shooting for the division or at least home field in the AL Wild Card game.
If the playoff started tomorrow
Wild-card games: A’s at Yankees; Cardinals at Brewers
ALDS: Indians vs. Astros; Wild-card winner vs. Red Sox
NLDS: Dodgers vs. Braves; Wild-card winner vs. Cubs
Elimination Watch
There were no eliminations on Friday. The Washington Nationals and Seattle Mariners, two teams picked by many to play in October, are primed to be the next teams sent packing. Both have an elimination number of one.
Saturday’s must-see game
The series with the most direct impact on the postseason picture continues to be Phillies-Braves in Atlanta. The Braves are closing in on the division title and could celebrate as soon as Saturday. The game is also interesting because of the excellent pitching matchup. Jake Arrieta (10-9., 3.77) will start for the Phillies against the Braves breakout starter Mike Foltynewicz (11-10, 2.90).
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