MLB Playoff Picture & Teams 2015: Pirates, Giants & Cubs Fighting For NL Wild Card Spots

By Damon Salvadore First Posted: Aug 12, 2015 03:17 PM EDT

The St. Louis Cardinals are running away with the best record in the National League at the moment. The Cardinals, who have been to two of the last four World Series', have a 72-40 record. That's the best record in all of baseball.

The Cardinals will more than likely win the National League Central, but that doesn't mean other teams can't make the playoffs as well. The New York Mets lead the National League East while the Los Angeles Dodgers are once again out in front in the National League West. But, two wild card teams are still slated to make the postseason.

The Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs are the frontrunners to grab those two wild card spots.

The Pirates are currently 65-45 after an impressive sweep of the Dodgers. Andrew McCutchen is having another strong season with a team-leading 17 home runs, 74 runs batted in, and .508 slugging percentage. The Pirates rank 16th in runs scored this season. Gerrit Cole is having a terrific season. The 24-year-old pitcher leads the league in wins, and he outpitched Clayton Kershaw in the last series. The Pirates defense has been outstanding this season ranking third in runs allowed.

The Pirates have qualified as a wild card team the last two seasons.

Just two wins behind the Pirates are the Cubs. The north side of the Windy City has not seen their team win the World Series since 1908, but "Back to the Future Part 2" did predict they would win it all this year. The Cubs haven't made the playoffs since 2008, but they've been red hot lately.

The Cubs have won their last five consecutive games, and nine of the last 10 after sweeping the Pirates and Giants. Thanks to Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester, the Cubs have the fifth best pitching staff in all of baseball. Only the Dodgers pitching staff has posted more shutouts than the Cubs this year.

Starlin Castro, who was involved in numerous trade rumors at the deadline, was recently moved to second base by manager Joe Maddon. Castro is having a disappointing season batting just .235 at the plate. The Cubs are currently battling the Milwaukee Brewers in a three game series.

We also can't forget about the defending World Series champions. The Giants are still in the thick of things, as usual. The Giants won it all last year thanks to grabbing a wild card spot. They defeated the Kansas City Royals much in part because of Madison Bumgarner's incredible postseason.

Once again Buster Posey is having a solid and consistent year at the plate. Posey is batting .332 with a team-leading 75 runs batted in. It never helps losing Pablo Sandoval, but the Giants offense still ranks ninth overall in runs scored.

The Giants have been of the most intriguing franchises in the 21st century. They've made the playoffs three times in the last five years, all of which have resulted in a World Series title. The Giants have missed the playoffs eight of the last 11 years, but four of their last five playoff appearances have seen them make it to the big game. The bottom line is the Giants are a huge threat if they make the playoffs.