CREDIT: ZIMBIO.COM
National League Leader in wins, Gio Gonzalez looking to lead Washington to World Series

The playoff picture for the National League is nearly finalized, at least compared to the American League standing. The Cincinnati Reds clinched the Central Division, the San Francisco Giants have the West, and the Washington Nationals are in the playoffs, most likely as division winners barring a total collapse to end the season.

The Nationals could walk away with the best record in baseball, but we need to wait until the final game of the season. The Atlanta Braves as of press time were four games back of the division-leading Nationals going into the final stretch. The Braves, have clinched one of the wild card spots but would rather win their division.

The San Francisco Giants are in one of the least competitive divisions in the National League. Three teams are above .500, although two (Los Angeles and Arizona) are just barely above par. I'm picking the Giants to be one of the first teams to be eliminated in the playoffs.

Cincinnati is right on the heels of the Nationals for best overall record in baseball. The Reds have great pitching from their starters and a bullpen that can shut down almost any team in the big leagues. If the Reds can maintain their momentum going into the playoffs, they will have legitimate chance to go to the World Series.

When it comes to the final wild card spot in the National League, it looks like St. Louis Cardinals will have an opportunity to defend their championship.

St. Louis has been plagued by inconsistency throughout the season, yet they are in the playoff picture. I'm not impressed with them this year, but I can't count them out just yet because it's looking like a re-run from 2011.