Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals are tied 95-62
Last year at this time, the Atlanta Braves post-season hopes collapsed on the final day of the regular season, allowing the St. Louis Cardinals to claim the National League wild card and set the stage for their remarkable post-season journey. This season, all of the potential drama for last-second regular season heroics can be found in the American League.
With five games remaining, the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals are 95-62 and tied for the best record in the majors and, subsequently, the National League. Both teams are headed for the postseason, but the team with the best record will secure home park advantage for October. Since the National League won the All-Star Game, the NL champion gets home field advantage in the World Series.
The Cardinals, which are 85-72, have a three-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second wild card spot. St. Louis plays Washington today and Sunday and hosts the Reds for a three-game series to finish the regular season. The Dodgers play Colorado today and Sunday before hosting the first place San Francisco Giants for three games to end the regular season.
Their post-season spot secure, the Giants would like nothing more than to knock their heated National League West rival out of the playoff hunt.
