The Pittsburgh Pirates completed a huge win against the Atlanta Braves tonight, winning 10-1 to pull within one game of the NL Central lead. It also pulled them closer to clinching home field in the Wild Card game. Here is the latest in the NL Central and Wild Card playoff races.
NL Central
Pirates 10, Braves 1
The Cardinals didn’t play today, which means the Pirates pulled to within one game of the NL Central. With three games remaining this weekend for each team, the Pirates need to win one more game than St. Louis. Here are the scenarios for the Pirates to win the NL Central.
If Cardinals win 3 games this weekend…
Pirates are eliminated.
If Cardinals win 2 games this weekend…
Pirates need to win 3 games, which would force a tiebreaker for the division against the Cardinals in St. Louis on Monday.
If Cardinals win 1 game this weekend…
Pirates need to win 2 games to force a tiebreaker, or 3 games to win the division outright.
If Cardinals win 0 games this weekend…
Pirates need to win 1 game to force a tiebreaker, or 2 games to win the division outright.
Wild Card
Pirates 10, Braves 1
Giants 9, Padres 8
Reds 5, Brewers 3
The Pirates could have the chance to clinch home field in the Wild Card game tomorrow. The Pirates currently hold a 1.0 game lead over the Giants. They also hold the tiebreaker over the Giants for home field if the two teams are tied. A win by the Pirates tomorrow AND a loss by the Giants would clinch the division. That would put the Giants back two games, giving them no chance of passing the Pirates. The magic number is 2, which means any combination of two Pirates wins or Giants losses this weekend will clinch home field for the Pirates.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers were officially eliminated today, after losing to the Reds.
Playoff Seeding
Here are the current playoff seeds if the season would end today. The winner of the Wild Card game would go on to play the Washington Nationals.
1. Washington
2. Los Angeles
3. St. Louis
4. Pittsburgh
5. San Francisco