MLB Playoff Standings: Cubs & Pirates Still Battling For Top Seed with Cardinals

By Damon Salvadore First Posted: Sep 29, 2015 04:10 PM EDT

One of the most exciting playoff races is coming to a close. Fewer than 10 regular season games are left, and the standings are getting tighter than ever. The National League Central has been by far the most competitive division in the league this season, and it's not over just yet.

The St. Louis Cardinals have the best record in the majors at 99-58. With just one more victory, it would mark their first 100-win season since 2005. The Cardinals have been in first place all season long, and they show no signs of slowing down.

The Cardinals have won seven of their last 10 games, but it came at a cost. The Cardinals lost their Dominican ace pitcher Carlos Martinez for the rest of the season. Martinez has a 14-7 record on the mound, but he has a shoulder injury.

The New York Mets have clinched the National League East. This will be the first time since 2006 that the Mets will be playing in the postseason. The Mets have an 89-67 record, and they have successfully won their last four consecutive games. The Washington Nationals were a huge disappointment this year despite the fact that Bryce Harper will most likely win the National League MVP.

The Mets are currently the No. 2 seed in the NL.

The Chicago Cubs will also be ending their playoff drought. The Cubs are 91-65, and the fans are ready to put the curse of 1908 behind them. Jake Arrieta has been fantastic this season with an incredible 1.82 ERA and 21 wins. He is the front-runner to win the NL CY Young award this year. Overall, the Cubs pitching staff ranks fourth in the leagues. By no way of coincidence, the top five pitching teams in the majors are also the exact five teams in the NL playoffs. Pitching matters.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have also clinched a playoff berth. Although they are on a four game losing streak, and have fallen to the No. 3 seed in the NL, the Dodgers have already clinched the National League West. The San Francisco Giants have been eliminated, so we won't be watching a repeat World Series champion this year. This is the third consecutive year the Dodgers will be making the postseason, but they have lost to the Cardinals the last two years when it matters most. Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke have a combined 33 wins this year for the Dodgers.

One of the hottest teams in the league right now is the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates have won eight of the last 10 games, and have clinched a postseason spot as well. With a 95-62 record, the Pirates can avoid a one game wild card playoff, and still get the No. 1 seed in the NL. They are presently four wins behind the Cardinals, so they will have to win the next two games, which will be against the red birds. The Pirates will also be at home in both of those games.

If the season were to end today the Pirates and Cubs would play each other in a one game playoff in Pittsburgh. The Cubs are 11-8 this season against the Pirates and 8-9 against the Cardinals. The Mets and Dodgers would collide in a best of five game series with the Mets having home field advantage. The Cardinals would face the winner of the Pirates and Cubs wild card game.