In the intensifying race for the National League wild-card spots, six teams find themselves within six games of securing a playoff berth. With the regular season nearing its end, the competition is heating up, and every game becomes crucial for these teams vying for a chance at postseason glory.

If the season ended today, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies would snag the top two seeds, earning them a bye in the NL bracket. The wild card series would see the Atlanta Braves facing off against the Milwaukee Brewers, while the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the San Diego Padres.

While the current bracket is subject to change, the Dodgers and Phillies are engaged in a fierce battle for the top spot. Meanwhile, the real excitement lies in the race for the three wild-card berths.

Despite their aspirations for the NL West title, the Padres sit at the top of the wild-card standings, but their position is far from secure. Only 4 1/2 games behind the Dodgers, they need to hold on to their place amidst intense competition. The Padres have a crucial series against the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks coming up, making it crucial for them to secure their spot before this challenging stretch begins on September 24th.

The Diamondbacks have had an impressive turnaround after being seven games under .500 at the end of May. They now boast the best run differential among the wild-card contenders. However, their 2 1/2-game lead over the Braves is narrow, with just three games securing their playoff position. Their schedule ahead includes challenging matchups against the Brewers, Astros, and Padres, which could make or break their postseason hopes.

The Atlanta Braves have battled through significant injuries to key players, including Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider. Yet, they have managed to stay in contention and currently hold a playoff spot. Their fate may come down to a critical series against the New York Mets starting on September 24th. With the last spot up for grabs, every game will be crucial for the Braves in their pursuit of a postseason berth.

The Mets have made a remarkable turnaround after struggling early on, going from 11 games under .500 to being 12 games over.500. They enter the late-September series against the Braves with a chance to make a statement. However, they face a strenuous schedule ahead, with their opponents holding the fourth-toughest winning percentage in MLB, including crucial games against the first-place Phillies.

The Chicago Cubs find themselves just 4 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot after a strong month of August. However, time is running out for them as they strive to overcome both the Mets and Braves in the standings. Their upcoming matchups against the Yankees and Dodgers will be a test of their postseason aspirations.

Rounding out the six teams in contention, the St. Louis Cardinals are in a similar situation to the Cubs. Despite having a .500 record, they have recently gained momentum with the return of key players from injury. The Cardinals also have a relatively softer schedule ahead, which could work in their favor. However, their negative run differential raises doubts about their chances of making a playoff push.

As the regular season nears its end, the National League wild-card race promises intense competition, with six teams battling for coveted postseason berths. Every game will be crucial, and as the race unfolds, fans can expect nail-biting moments and unexpected twists that will determine who gets a shot at October baseball.