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With their doubleheader split against the Nationals on Wednesday, the Dodgers are now two games back of the Cardinals for the second National League wild card with 13 games remaining in the regular season. But they aren't alone.
The red-hot Brewers are just a half-game behind the Dodgers after Milwaukee has won 22 of their last 28 games. Here is a recap of Wednesday's game action:
| National League Wild Card Standings | ||||
| Team | W-L | Pct | GB | |
| Atlanta | 86-64 | .573 | +6½ | |
| St. Louis | 79-70 | .530 | --- | |
| Los Angeles | 77-72 | .517 | 2 | |
| Milwaukee | 76-72 | .514 | 2½ | |
| Philadelphia | 75-74 | .503 | 4 | |
| Pittsburgh | 74-74 | .500 | 4½ | |
| Arizona | 74-74 | .500 | 4½ | |
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Dodgers Magic Number: 16
Dodgers Tragic Number: 12
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Nationals 3, Dodgers 1 (Game 1): Los Angeles wasted three leadoff doubles, and Jordan Zimmermann allowed just one run in six innings for the win.
Dodgers 7, Nationals 6 (Game 2): After an early 6-0 lead, Josh Beckett and the Dodgers were cruising to an easy win. Until Washington scored six runs in the eighth to tie the game, that is. But Matt Kemp picked the Dodgers up off the mat with a ninth-inning home run, delivering the much-needed win.
Cardinals 5, Astros 0: Dark horse MVP candidate Yadier Molina hit his 20th home run, David Freese did the same, leading St. Louis to their second straight easy home win over Houston. Lance Lynn pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings for his 16th win.
Brewers 3, Pirates 1: Marco Estrada pitched seven scoreless innings, and was backed by a Norichika Aoki home run plus a double and triple from Jean Segura, who was acquired from the Angels in the Zack Greinke deal. The Pirates have lost 20 of 27 games and despite reaching 16 games over .500 this season, are now at a breakeven 74-74.
Phillies 3, Mets 2: Down a run and down to their last out, the Phillies game back thanks to a two-run home run by Ryan Howard, pushing the Phillies ahead of the Pirates in the wild card chase.
Diamondbacks 6, Padres 2: Trevor Cahill pitched six strong innings for his 12th win, and Justin Upton hit two doubles to bring Arizona to .500, still with faint postseason hopes.
Thursday's schedule:
- 10:45 a.m. - Houston (Bud Norris) at St. Louis (Jaime Garcia)
- 12:40 p.m. - San Diego (Clayton Richard) at Arizona (Tyler Skaggs)
- 1:05 p.m. - Milwaukee (Michael Fiers) at Pittsburgh (Wandy Rodriguez)
- 4:05 p.m. - Los Angeles (Chris Capuano) at Washington (Ross Detwiler)
- 4:10 p.m. - Philadelphia (Tyler Cloyd) at New York (Jeremy Hefner)