Diamondbacks and Rockies No Longer Locks for the Post Season

A month ago, it looked like the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies were playoff bound as the two Wild Card teams in the National League playoffs. Although both teams remain at the top of the Wild Card standings with about six weeks to go in the regular season, it’s possible one or both won’t make it.

Over the August 18th-20th weekend, the Diamondbacks went to Minnesota for an interleague series against the Twins, who are in the running for an American League post season berth. Not only did the Twins sweep the series, they did so in dominating fashion, winning by scores of 10-3, 5-0, and 12-5. Minnesota scored nine runs in the first inning of the 12-5 series finale, highlighted by this Eddie Rosario Grand Slam:

The Diamondbacks have lost 11 of their last 15 games.

While Arizona struggled in Minnesota, the Colorado Rockies lost two of three at home to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Rockies have lost nine of 13. In the N.L. Wild Card standings at the completion of play on August 20th, the Rockies (68-56) were in the lead by one game over Arizona (67-57). The Brewers (65-60) have pulled to within 2 ½ games of the Diamondbacks, with the St. Louis Cardinals (63-61) four behind Arizona. The Miami Marlins (60-62), two games behind St. Louis, and Pittsburgh Pirates (60-64) three behind the Cardinals, remain in striking distance.