Where They Stand: National League Playoff Contenders

The final week of the Major League season is upon us.

Teams across the majors enter Monday with only six or seven games remaining, and playoff spots are still up for grabs in both leagues.

Here is a look at where each National League team in playoff contention stands entering Monday, what they are fighting for, and who they’ll rely on in the final week. You can view the American League here.

Dodgers

Record: 99-57

What they’ve clinched: NL West, home-field advantage in NLDS

What they’re fighting for: Home field advantage throughout playoffs

Remaining Schedule: vs. Padres (3), at Rockies (3)

Key stat: The Dodgers have a .211 batting average in September, a slump that has led to an 8-16 record during the month

Key player: Corey Seager – The reigning NL Rookie of the Year has hit .155 in his last 15 games since returning to the starting lineup from a sore right elbow

Key addition(s): Tony Cingrani and Tony Watson – Yu Darvish stole the trade deadline thunder, but it’s been the lefthanded Tony’s that have made the biggest contributions. Cingrani has 1.04 ERA and Watson a 1.08 ERA in 10 relief appearances apiece.

Nationals

Record: 94-61

What they’ve clinched: NL East, home-field advantage in NLDS

What they’re fighting for: Home-field advantage throughout playoffs (4.5 games back of Dodgers)

Remaining Schedule: at Phillies (3), vs. Pirates (4)

Key stat: The Nationals are 49-29 on the road, the best road mark in the NL

Key player: Anthony Rendon – The 2011 sixth overall pick has been a mainstay in the Nationals lineup as the rest of the team has been felled by injuries, and has already reached career-highs in doubles (40), home runs (24) and RBIs (96)

Key addition: Sean Doolittle – The veteran lefty has solved Washington’s bullpen problems. Since coming over in a July trade, Doolittle has converted 20 of 20 save opportunities for the Nats with a 1.93 ERA.

Diamondbacks

Record: 90-66

What they stand: Clinched NL wild card, home-field advantage for wild card game

What they’re fighting for: The franchise’s most wins since 2002 (98-64). The 2011 team went 94-68.

Remaining Schedule: vs. Giants (3), at Royals (3)

Key stat: The Diamondbacks 3.67 ERA is the lowest in franchise history, better than even the Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling-led pitching staffs

Key player: Archie Bradley – The four-time Top 100 prospect has been a nearly 4 WAR player out of the bullpen, with a 1.41 ERA and only 49 hits allowed in 70 innings.

Key addition: J.D. Martinez – With 27 home runs and 58 RBIs in 57 games with the Diamondbacks, Martinez has made his case as one of the best trade deadline acquisitions of all-time.

Cubs

Record: 87-68

What they’ve clinched: N/A

What they’re fighting for: The NL Central division title. Their magic number entering Monday is two.

Remaining Schedule: at Cardinals (4), vs. Reds (3)

Key stat: The Cubs are 8-2 in their last 10 games and 14-8 in the month of September, both tied for the best marks in the NL.

Key player: Albert Almora – The five-time Cubs top 10 prospect has settled into a starting role and is hitting .349 this month, best on the team as they’ve rallied towards a division title.

Key addition: Jose Quintana – After a middling performance initially after being acquired, Quintana has kicked it up a notch down the stretch. He is 2-0, 1.63 in four starts in September, giving the Cubs a stabilizing front of the rotation presence with Jon Lester (5.91 ERA) struggling.

Rockies

Record: 84-72

What they’ve clinched: N/A

What they’re fighting for: The second NL wild-card spot (two games ahead of Brewers)

Remaining Schedule: vs. Marlins (3), vs. Dodgers (3)

Key stat: The Rockies hit .296 with an .854 OPS at home compared to .248 with a .702 OPS on the road. Their six remaining games are all at home.

Key player: Jon Gray – The 2013 No. 3 overall pick has come back from injury and been the ace the Rockies need down the stretch. Gray is 3-1, 2.17 in five September starts with 34 strikeouts against just seven walks in 29 innings.

Key addition: Pat Neshek – The 2017 All-Star has been a huge addition to the Rockies bullpen down the stretch, posting a 1.93 ERA in 11 appearances this month with a 0.75 WHIP.

Brewers

Record: 82-74

What they’ve clinched: N/A

What they’re fighting for: Second NL wild-card spot (two games behind Rockies) and NL Central title (5.5 games back of Cubs)

Remaining Schedule: vs. Reds (3), at Cardinals (3)

Key stat: The Brewers’ 3.28 ERA in September in best in the NL, part of why they’ve been able to go 12-10 despite a slumping offense hitting just .242.

Key player: Domingo Santana – One of a select group to make six Prospect Handbook appearances, Santana has done most of the Brewers’ offensive heavy lifting down the stretch. He’s hit .297 with six homers, 16 RBIs and a 1.040 OPS in 19 games this month.

Key addition: Josh Hader – The Brewers top pitching prospect entering the year, Hader has been dominant out of the bullpen since being called up June 11. The flamethrowing lefty has a 1.64 ERA in 33 appearances, with 61 strikeouts and just 22 hits allowed in 44 innings.

Cardinals

Record: 81-74

What they’ve clinched: N/A

What they’re fighting for: Second NL wild card spot (2 ½ games behind Rockies) and NL Central title (6 games back of Cubs)

Remaining Schedule: vs. Cubs (4), vs. Brewers (3)

Key stat: The Cardinals have a 3.43 ERA at home compared to a 4.45 ERA on the road. All seven of their final games are at home.

Key player: Dexter Fowler – The Cardinals’ big free-agent signing last offseason has battled injuries and bouts of ineffectiveness but is turning it on down the stretch. Fowler has hit .333 with a team-leading 1.085 OPS in September.

Key addition: Luke Weaver – The Cardinals No. 2 prospect entering the year has pitched like an ace since his July 3 callup. Weaver is 7-1, 2.05 and has been at his best in crunch time, going 4-0, 1.52 in his four September starts with 29 strikeouts and two walks in 23.2 innings.