It’s the All-Star break and time to examine the races in the National League, some of which are extremely tight and some which are changing right before the break.
NL EAST
Braves 52-36 Last 10 7-3 Next Up Brewers
Mets 48-40 Games Back 4 Last 10 4-6 Next Up Giants
Phillies 47-40 Games Back 4.5 Last 10 6-4 Next Up Cubs
The Mets and Phillies were both coming right before the break. The Braves took 2-3 from the Mets while the Phillies had bested the red hot Reds. Heyward should return after the break for the Braves, but the Mets and Phillies will still be without some of their big names for a few more weeks.
NL CENTRAL
Reds 49-41 Last 10 4-6 Next Up Rockies
Cardinals 47-41 Games Back 1 Last 10 4-6 Next Up Dodgers
The Reds have been able to hold on to first place up to the break, but a tough series with the Phillies has put them only 1 game ahead of the Cards. The streaking Rockies are next for the Reds and with a couple more losses they could find themselves looking up at the Cards in the next week.
NL WEST
Padres 51-37 Last 10 5-5 Next Up D-Backs
Rockies 49-39 Games Back 2 Next Up Reds
Dodgers 49-39 Games Back 2 Next Up Cardinals
Giants 47-41 Games Back 4 Next Up Mets
The Padres draw a great matchup for a possible winning series with the D-Backs while the Rockies and Reds, both red hot, have to battle it out to see who is hotter on any given night. The Dodgers get the Cards who are creeping up on the Reds and the Giants have to face off with the Mets. I think I can see The Padres pulling more ahead of the Rockies while the Cards may get ahead of the Reds. Lots of division implications in these matchups.
Some teams will get DL players back after the break while others will still be hurting. It remains to be seen how the returning players perform after their time off. Sometimes, they can get right back to where they were and sometimes it takes a few games to get back in the groove. For some of these races, a few games can make all the difference.
