National League Update

There are less than two weeks to play in the baseball regular season. It still appears that the five National League qualifiers for the baseball tournament are set.

Both the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers long ago wrapped up their divisional titles, though neither has clinched at this point.

In the N.L. Central, with just 13 games left, the St. Louis Cardinals and the upstart Pittsburgh Pirates, who will finish above .500 for the first time since 1992, are tied for first place.

Each will make the playoffs, the Pirates for the first time since 1992. The division winner avoids the one game wild card playoff game slated for Tuesday October first.

In a far more compelling race in 1974 also between the Pirates and Cardinals it was Pittsburgh which won the “one out of four” division, gaining a game to win it on the final day of the season, Wednesday October second.

1974 and 2013 have the same calendar but this 2013 race is so much less dramatic.

If there is a need to decide the division winner in a playoff, that playoff is scheduled for Monday September 30th.

Sure, one wants to win the division and be one of eight and avoid a one game playoff. However, in 1974 a team had to finish first and its reward was being one of only four teams in the playoffs.

Meanwhile in the race for playoff qualification, the Cincinnati Reds have a four and a half game lead over the Washington Nationals.