Final NL Wild Card Spot at Stake in Final Series of Season

Starting Monday, the 84-75 Dodgers host the San Francisco Giants

This is what Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig envisioned when he was able to get a second wild card instituted for each league.

Though the division races are all wrapped up in the National League, and the Atlanta Braves have secured the top wild card position, the Los Angeles Dodgers still have a chance to overtake the St. Louis Cardinals for the second wild card spot during the lat series of the regular season.

On Sunday, Josh Beckett earned his second victory since arriving in Los Angeles, allowing one run and six hits over 6.1 innings, as the Dodgers pounded Colorado, 7-1. St. Louis pummeled Washington, 10-4, to stay two games ahead of the Dodgers.

Starting Monday, the 84-75 Dodgers host a three-game set against their heated rival, the San Francisco Giants. San Francisco has clinched the National League West title and will have little incentive in the series, aside from the potential pleasure of knocking their rival out of the playoffs.

The 86-73 Cardinals host a three-game series against Cincinnati in another clash of rivals. The 96-63 Reds are tied with Washington for the top record in the National League, so home park advantage for the playoffs is at stake for them. Also, just as the Giants would take solace in sending the Dodgers home for October, the Reds would celebrate knowing that they spoiled St. Louis’ post-season plans.