The National League is headed for a Wild Card down.
Major League Baseball is entering the final three weeks of the 2026 season.
Four National League teams remain in the hunt for three Wild Card slots.
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Labor Day was a good time to check the standings, and see how teams are doing in the playoff chase.
As of Labor Day, September 7, these four high quality teams will try to claim one of the three available places in the 2026 National League playoffs:
Chicago Cubs-record of 81-63 (National League Central Division)
Philadelphia Phillies-record of 80-63 (National League East Division)
Arizona Diamondbacks-record of 76-68 (National League West Division)
San Diego Padres-record of 75-68 (National League West Division)
Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong looks to the field before a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Chicago, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
National League Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card Hunt:
At the Labor Day holiday, the Cubs were 7 games behind the National League Central Division Milwaukee Brewers.
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It is not likely the Cubs will make up that ground between Labor Day and the end of the season.
However, the Cubs do hold the first Wild Card berth, making their chances of postseason play likely.
Led by potential National League Most Valuable player candidate, Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Cubs have a balanced attack of solid hitting, and efficient, if not great pitching.
Here is the remaining Cubs schedule:
Sept 7-8-9 at Milwaukee, 10-off day, 11-12-13 at home vs. Pittsburgh, 14-15-16 at home vs. Atlanta, 17-off day, 18,19,20 at Cincinnati, 21-off day, 22-23-24 home vs. Miami, 25, 26, 27 at Boston.
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber celebrates in the disgust after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
National League Philadelphia Phillies in the Wild Card Hunt:
The Phillies entered Labor Day with a record of 80-63, putting them one half game behind the Cubs for the best Wild Card record.
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The Phillies are led by home run slugger Kyle Schwarber, who has 42 home runs, and 86 RBIs.
Phillies pitching is led by lefty starter Christopher Sanchez, who has a record of 16-5, a 2.58 ERA, and 209 strikeouts.
mlb.com lists the following Phillies schedule:
September 7 vs. Atlanta, 8,9,10 vs. Houston, 11,12,13 at Atlanta, 14-off day, 15,16 at Washington, 17,18,19,20 at New York Mets, 21-off day, 22, 23, 24, home vs. Milwaukee, 25, 26, 27 home vs. Tampa Bay
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 01: Gabriel Moreno #14 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on September 01, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Phillies defeated the Diamondbacks 7-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
National League Arizona Diamondbacks in the Wild Card Hunt:
The Dbacks hold down the third spot in the Wild Card race, with a record of 75-68,
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While players like Corbin Carrol, Geraldo Perdomo, and Ketel Marte get much of the publicity, catcher Gabriel Moreno is having a fantastic season. He is hitting .300, and leads the team with 69 RBIs.
Lefty Eduardo Rodriguez has done a marvelous job as the ace of the Dbacks rotation. So far this season, Rodriguez has a 15-5 record, with a 2.55 ERA, and a 1.20 WHIP.
mlb.com lists the following Dbacks schedule:
September 7,8,9 at Kansas City, 10-off day, 11,12,13, home vs. Texas, 14,15,16 home vs. Miami, 17-off day, 18,19,20 home vs. New York Yankees, 21-off day, 22,23,24 at Colorado, 25,26,27 at San Diego
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 11: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fourth inning at Petco Park on August 11, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
National League San Diego Padres in the Wild Card Hunt:
The Padres record of 75-68 placed them just 1/2 game behind the Dbacks for the last Wild Card spot.
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Fernando Tatis Jr. leads the Padres with a .280 batting average, and .347 on-base percentage.
Manny Machado has a team high with 26 home runs, and 77 RBIs.
When one considers pitching, closer Mason Miller comes to mind. He has 33 saves.
Starter Michael King leads the team with 10 wins, 144 strikeouts, and a 3.00 ERA.
mlb.com lists the following Padres schedule:
September 7,8,9 home vs. Washington, 10-off day, 11,12,13 at San Francisco, 14,15,16,17 at Colorado, 18,19,20 home vs. Miami, 21-off day, 22,23,24 at Los Angeles Dodgers, 25,26,27 home vs. Arizona.
Conclusions about the National League Wild Card Race:
Any of four teams can win the final Wild Card in the National League.
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Each of the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, or San Diego Padres can claim the last big playoff prize.
Any of the four teams can get hot for the remaining three weeks.
Any of the four teams can go cold for the remaining three weeks.
Throw the strength of schedule out. That may not matter.
With four teams In the National League Wild Card race, any of the three can claim the last spot.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
