**Intense Battle in NL Wild-Card Race as Playoff Picture Takes Shape**

As the weekend approaches, all eyes are set on Milwaukee, Phoenix, and Atlanta with the National League wild-card race fiercely heating up. The competition among the teams to secure a playoff berth is reaching its peak, and the outcomes of the upcoming games will likely determine their fate.

The New York Mets seem to be in a favorable position. Their well-rested pitching staff will be taking on the Milwaukee Brewers, a team that is already confirmed as the No. 3 seed. Meanwhile, San Diego is already secured in the playoff field and likely looking to clinch the No. 4 seed. Despite this, San Diego has an added incentive to win this weekend as they can avoid facing Arizona in the first round and potentially eliminate the Diamondbacks from playoff contention.

Atlanta, on the other hand, finds itself in a critical situation. To stay in the race, the Braves must secure wins against Kansas City and hope for some support from either San Diego or Milwaukee. For the crucial doubleheader against the Mets on Monday to make an impact, Atlanta needs to be within two games of the final wild-card spot. Should the games on Monday have no influence on the playoff standings, they will not be played. This scenario puts both Atlanta and the Mets at a potential pitching disadvantage since the first round of the playoffs begins on the same day.

At the top of the standings, the Los Angeles Dodgers appear set to clinch the No. 1 seed as they conclude their regular season in Colorado. The Philadelphia Phillies, who are up against the Washington Nationals, would need the Dodgers to falter to have any chance of securing home-field advantage. Given the Rockies' struggles throughout the season and the potent Dodgers lineup capable of exploiting Coors Field, such a slip-up seems improbable.

The potential playoff matchups are shaping up to include No. 6 Arizona facing No. 3 Milwaukee, and No. 5 New York Mets going up against No. 4 San Diego. As for the overall leader, the formidable Los Angeles Dodgers are aiming to enter the playoffs as the top seed.