As we enter the final full month of the MLB regular season, there are plenty of storylines to keep an eye on in the NL.
There are plenty of key playoff races that are coming down to the wire.
Also, the NL award races are coming to a close with plenty of players still chasing the hardware.
September has always been a crazy month in the MLB and this year will be no different.
With only one month left to go in the regular season, here are the top storylines to watch for in the National League.
NL Wild-Card Race
The new playoff format that allows for three wild-card teams makes the final month more enticing than ever before.
The NL wild-card race currently features three teams fighting for the final two spots.
Currently, the Padres and Phillies are in playoff position with the Brewers closing in behind them.
The Padres were supposedly a lock for the playoffs after making a few blockbuster trades at the trade deadline.
But, their new additions have struggled to get acclimated to their new team.
Closer, Josh Hader is the one that has struggled in San Diego.
He has pitched 5.2 innings while giving up 13 hits and 12 earned runs.
His ERA is a 19.06.
Which does not even seem real with how good Hader has been during his time in Milwaukee.
The lefty will need to improve if the Padres want to secure their playoff berth over the final month.
The Phillies have shown they are a playoff-caliber team under interim manager, Rob Thomson.
The @Phillies have been one of baseball’s best teams for the past 3 months.
Watch them take on the Giants tonight at 10:15 pm ET on @AppleTVPlus. pic.twitter.com/cu3GdJVg7R
— MLB (@MLB) September 2, 2022
This team has been on fire ever since Thomson took over and they are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
The Brewers have made the playoffs each of the past four seasons, but this year they are struggling at the plate.
Former MVP, Christian Yelich, no longer has the slugging ability that we saw back in 2018-19.
He has hit only 11 home runs this season and his batting average is .259.
Milwaukee has good pitching and they have made up for the poor hitting but at some point, Yelich and the rest of the Brewers’ hitters will have to produce.
LA Dodgers Chasing Wins Record
The Los Angeles Dodgers set their franchise record for most wins in a season in 2019.
That year they won 106 games and then tied that number again in 2021.
But, their team this season might be the best one in franchise history.
As of September 3rd, the Dodgers have 91 wins and have a chance to set the franchise record.
The Dodgers have reached the 90-win mark before September. They've done it in 128 games. Only one team in franchise history did it quicker — 2017 Dodgers in 126 games.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) August 31, 2022
With 30 games left to play the Dodgers need 16 more wins.
Going 16-14 the rest of the way should be expected with how great this team has been all year.
The addition of Freddie Freeman to a team that already had Mookie Betts, Trea Turner, Max Muncy, Justin Turner, and Will Smith, gives LA the most dangerous lineup in baseball.
Plus, they still have elite pitching in Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, and Julio Urias leading the way.
This is by far the most talented team in baseball and 110 wins is not out of the question.
116 wins in one season is the MLB record.
That will be difficult for the Dodgers but it is still possible.
They need to go 25-5 over the last 30 games to tie the 1906 Cubs and 2001 Mariners with 116 wins.
Los Angeles is looking to a legendary finish to an already incredible season.
NEXT: Trea Turner Is In A Bit Of A Power Drought