Dodgers Maintain NL West Lead Amid Roster Changes, Padres Mets Hold Wild Card Edge

The San Francisco Giants have surged back into the National League Wild Card race, currently sitting four games behind the Padres and Mets, who hold tiebreaker advantages due to better head-to-head records. Despite the Giants' recent dominance, including an 11-1 run and a home run streak in 18 consecutive games, the Padres and Mets maintain an edge in the standings. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who lead the NL West division by two games over the Padres, are struggling to secure wins in September but remain favorites for the second seed in the National League behind the Milwaukee Brewers, with ESPN analysts highlighting their depth and potential if key players stay healthy. The Dodgers will face the Phillies in a critical three-game series mid-September, which could influence playoff seeding and possible first-round byes. As the Dodgers chase another World Series title, they have begun streamlining their roster, releasing underperforming players like reliever Alexis Diaz and sending others like infielder Alex Freeland back to the minors, in preparation for the return of key players and to strengthen their postseason chances. The evolving standings and roster moves underscore a highly competitive final stretch in the NL playoff picture.