Diamondbacks, Reds Lose Ground in NL Wild Card Race

The National League Wild Card race is tightening as the New York Mets continue to falter, losing four straight games, while the San Francisco Giants have surged closer to a playoff spot with recent victories. The Giants defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks twice this week, including a 5-3 win marked by a three-run homer from Willy Adames, pushing the Giants to just two games behind the Mets. The Diamondbacks, struggling to capitalize on scoring opportunities, remain 4.5 games out and have suffered setbacks including errors and inconsistent pitching performances. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds’ playoff hopes are fading as they lost a crucial 4-3, 10-inning game to the San Diego Padres, dropping them four games behind the Mets and allowing the Giants to overtake them in the standings. Both the Diamondbacks and Giants have shown recent improvement, but Arizona's inability to sustain rallies and defensive miscues have hindered their progress. With about 16-20 games remaining, the Mets, Giants, Reds, and Diamondbacks are all fighting to secure the final National League Wild Card spots.