Unlike the wide-open American League, where are 15 teams are within 6.5 games of a playoff berth, the National League has far fewer postseason contenders. As things stand, the Nationals, Rockies, Dodgers and Diamondbacks have strong holds on four of the five postseason berths — with the NL Central very much still up for grabs.
For simplicity’s sake, we’ll define “contender” as any NL team within five games of a playoff berth.
Though in terms of what each contender needs, there is a common theme: pitching.
The kids have been more than alright, but imagine the Brewers with a front-of-the-rotation type starter or a late-inning veteran arm, with the greater need in the ‘pen.