MLB wrap: Four teams fighting for second National League wild-card spot all win

Thomas Lott

MLB wrap: Four teams fighting for second National League wild-card spot all win image

No one was giving up any ground in the National League wild-card race Thursday.

The Cubs, Brewers, Mets and Phillies all won and are now separated by just two games in the race for the second wild-card spot.

With 16 games left in the season, the Brewers and Cubs have the leg up on the race, but Milwaukee clearly has an advantage over Chicago down the stretch.

The combined winning percentage of the Brewers' opponents over the final 16 games of the season is around .469 while the Cubs have to face the NL Central-leading Cardinals in two series and their opponents have a combined winning percentage of about .501.

As for the Mets and Phillies, Philadelphia has a serious challenge on its hands with series against the Indians, Nationals, Braves and Red Sox all left on its schedule. But, it ends the season against the Marlins.

The Mets have to play the Dodgers and Braves over their final 16 games, as well, so it won't be easy down the stretch for them, either.

But no matter the records of opponents, this is a great race and may take until the final day of the year to decide.

Studs of the Night

Yankees first baseman Luke Voit went 3 for 5 with a double, a home run and three RBIs in a 10-4 win over the Tigers.

Pirates starter Joe Musgrove tossed five scoreless innings while striking out seven in a 4-2 win over the Giants.

Blue Jays rookie Cavan Biggio went 3 for 4 with a triple and an RBI in a 7-4 loss to the Red Sox.

Dud of the Night

Rockies outfielder Sam Hilliard went 0 for 3 with three strikeouts in a 10-3 loss to the Cardinals.

Highlight

Twins third baseman Willians Astudillo made an awesome running catch in foul territory.

What's Next

Dodgers (95-53) at Mets (76-70), 7:10 p.m. ET — The Mets really need to take two out of three games in this series. It's going to be a challenge, but to keep pace with the Brewers, who face few challenges down the stretch, New York will have to win as much as it can, even in a series against the team with the best record in the NL.

Thomas Lott