Impending chaos awaits the fans of National League teams along with fantasy owners with two divisions within a half-game of each other along with the Wild Card race. With the Cubs, Dodgers and Cardinals losing, the playoff picture continues to evolve. First, here’s the most recent playoff odds chart courtesy of Fangraphs which puts the Cubs and Brewers in with Los Angeles close to a clinching spot and the Cardinals in a freefall:

There’s an outside chance four teams could partake in one-game playoffs on Monday with an outside chance of all five teams needing to play their way in. Check your league rules, since this could have an impact on standings. If interested, this link by Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com details the scenarios of extra games on Monday. Here’s a snapshot of the upcoming games for each contending team:

Chicago Cubs (2 vs. Pittsburgh, 3 vs. St. Louis) - Having only scored one run in its last 24 innings, the Cubs need to find some production despite losing Kris Bryant after being hit on the wrist by a pitch. Add in a depleted bullpen, it will be all hands on deck to avoid a playoff game on Monday but they face a team fighting for postseason this weekend.

Milwaukee Brewers (1 vs. St. Louis, 3 vs. Detroit) - Part of their 100 percent playoff odds lie within a magic number of one to clinch a playoff spot and two to host the Wild Card game if they do not win the division. Christian Yelich continues to add to his MVP resume hitting his 33rd home run and driving in six last night. Over his last 69 games, Yelich owns a .370 average with 22 home runs and 69 RBI, nice. Ryan Braun launched two home runs on Tuesday night and has three in his last two games. Add in a deep bullpen and the Tigers on tap.

St. Louis Cardinals (1 vs. Milwaukee, 3 vs. Chicago Cubs) - Tough matchups combined with losing their last two games put the Cardinals behind the eight ball. Marcell Ozuna did go 3-for-3 last night extending his hit streak to eight games and Yadier Molina hit his 20th home run. Molina’s within two home runs of his career best set in 2012. Will the rotation and bullpen hold up in Chicago?

Los Angeles Dodgers (1 vs. Arizona, 3 vs. San Francisco) - The Dodgers will send Ross Stripling to the mound but it will be all hands on deck trying to win in Arizona before traveling to San Francisco. When they face the Giants, the Dodgers lined up Hyun-Jin Ryu on Friday, Clayton Kershaw on Saturday and Walker Buehler on Sunday.

Colorado Rockies (2 vs. Philadelphia, 3 vs. Washington) - Surging at home and riding a five-game win streak, Colorado moved into the second Wild Card spot last night and sit a half-game behind the Dodgers. Charlie Blackmon ’s in the midst of a 17-game hit streak, D.J. LeMahieu’s heating up and David Dahl hit his 12th home run while driving in four last night. Dahl has eight RBI his last five games and leads the team with 18 this month. But the pitching could decide their postseason fate. Stay tuned.

That Just Happened

Visiting the Reds awakened Ryan O’Hearn’s bat. He went 2-for-4 with a double, his 12th home run and two RBI. Through his first 40 games with the Royals, O’Hearn has 12 home runs with 29 RBI. Whit Merrifield moved his hit streak to 14 games and stole his American League leading 39th base.

Although out of the playoff picture, Anthony Rendón ’s absolutely on fire for the Nationals. Rendon went 3-for-3 with two runs, a double, his 24th home run and four RBI. He’s on an 11-game hit streak during which he’s 21-for-43 with 10 runs, three doubles, five home runs and 20 RBI. By the way, he heads to Coors this weekend. Bryce Harper recorded a hit in his only at-bat along with scoring his 100th run to become the sixth player since 2014 with at least 100 runs, RBI and walks. Some pitcher named Max also had a record setting night:

Scherzer also could finish the lowest hit total against (150) in a 300 strikeout season ever if he does not pitch in Coors this weekend. 

Suddenly Alex Bregman in the second round does not seem so odd, right? Bregman seems to be emerging from a mini-slump hitting his 31st home run on Tuesday. This year, he’s scored 104 runs with 31 home runs, 103 RBI, 10 stolen bases, walked 93 times, struck out 81 and a strong .289/.395/.538 slash line. Yulieski Gurriel moved his hit streak to 11 and has multiple hits in his last six contests. Ryan Pressly struck out Justin Smoak with the bases loaded in the seventh. Want a bold prediction? He takes over as closer next year for the Astros.

Speaking of closers, looks like someone’s back in the saddle for Atlanta:

After taking a day off, a reminder of how good Michael Conforto ’s been in the second half. After 63 games in the second half, he’s batting .277/.358/.546 with 40 runs, 14 doubles, 16 home runs and 51 RBI.

Only in New York could a pitcher who won his 19th game be under scrutiny regarding whether or not he should start in the Wild Card game. Luis Severino allowed four hits, two earned runs and three walks with seven strikeouts in Tampa Bay. Over his last 12 innings, he’s yielded three earned runs. Severino’s notched a career high in wins and struck out over 200 batters the last two seasons. If saving him for Boston, it’s understandable but the team will probably make a decision after seeing Masahiro Tanaka pitch tonight. Signs of life from Gary Sánchez going 2-for-4 with his 17th home run and four RBI.

Yes, the Pirates could lose the Chris Archer trade, but fantasy owners will take heed of his finish to the season. He’s 2-1 this month in five starts with a 2.70 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB in 30 innings. Rookie Pablo Reyes continues to rake going 2-for-3 with his third home run and three RBI. He’s recorded multiple hits in seven of his last nine games with home runs in back-to-back contests.

There’s not firm timetable for a return of Shohei Ohtani to hit next year, but more will be known after his surgery, announced yesterday by the Angels:

Oakland lost its first game last night leading after the seventh inning. Blake Treinen incurred a blown save on an unearned run snapping his streak of 13 straight saves converted. It’s a blip but A’s fans can take solace in this statistic not hanging over their heads in postseason.

No one seems to target Nelson Cruz in drafts due to his utility designation, but he homered for the 37th time last night and represents the only player to hit at least 35 home runs in each of the last five seasons. He’s a pending free agent this year, so pay attention where he ends up.

Rookie Franmil Reyes tallied three more hits, in five at-bats, with a double and an RBI. Since his recall on August fourth, Reyes has hit .388 (47-for-141) with five doubles, 10 home runs and 21 RBI. Those looking for late round power upside in early mock drafts need to consider Reyes.

What To Watch For

All of the developing storylines in the National League playoff chase. It’s going to be fun.

A doubleheader in Boston with both David Price and Chris Sale getting their last starts in to prepare for postseason.

Jacob deGrom hopes to plant his flag for the National League Cy Young Award in a home start versus the Braves and extend his start streak to 30 of three runs or fewer allowed.

Cincinnati will send former farmhand Cody Reed to the mound against the Royals. Reed’s pitched well of late and could provide strikeout upside in this matchup, but Kansas City’s also a sneaky team in a smaller park.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for Nate Miller’s Round Up on Fantasy Alarm to stay ahead of the competition as the season comes to a conclusion.

Statistical Credits:

MLB.com

Fangraphs.com