If we are used to seeing frantic struggles in the American League, as much for the division titles as for the places of best second, it is rather in the National League that it is happening this season.
Indeed, as of this writing, only one small game separates five clubs in the hunt for the playoffs.
If the fall dance started today, in addition to the Philadelphia Phillies who have a more comfortable lead, the Chicago Cubs and the Arizona Diamondbacks would be the teams that would participate among the five others still in the race.
However, the latter have only a half-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants and a small game over the Miami Marlins.
By the end of this campaign, the Cubs and Reds have by far the most favorable schedule. Even if it does not guarantee anything, it gives a good helping hand.
Next come the Diamondbacks with a relatively balanced schedule, followed by the Marlins and Giants who have very similar opponents, but a little more complicated to negotiate.
Of those five organizations, the Diamondbacks and Reds have had to navigate the toughest schedule yet, which makes the feat of still being in the running all the more remarkable.
If for the Giants, the Diamdondbacks and the Marlins, their only chance is to make their way among the drafted teams, this is not the case for the other two who can still hope to win the Central Division.
All this to tell you not to go too far from your TV until the end of the season, since we will be entitled to quite a show in the next month.
If I had to decide on the recipients of a place in today’s playoffs, I would go with the Giants and the Cubs.
And you, which side do you stand on?
