The NL Wild Card race is coming to a close, who will be victorious?

While the American League Wild Card conundrum gathered most of the fans attentions throughout the past few months, it withered into a two-team race. The National League Wild Card has been anything but that, as one spot remains.

The race isn’t over just yet.

Despite holding on to the second Wild Card spot for the majority of the season’s second half, the Colorado Rockies still have to maintain their position for five more games. The Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals are still technically in playoff contention, sitting at 1.5 and 2.5 games behind, respectively.

Colorado has been inconsistent in September, at one point enjoying a six-game winning streak, but then squandering its Wild Card lead by losing six of its last eight games. Milwaukee has played a similar way this month, boasting several three-game winning streaks, but also a few losing stretches.

Based on their upcoming matchups, it would seem that the Brewers have the lightest schedule, as they begin a three-game series with the Reds on Tuesday before finishing the season with a series against the Cardinals. The Rockies face the Marlins for two more games before facing the best team in baseball in the Dodgers.

Milwaukee has winning records against both Cincinnati and St. Louis this season, with a 9-7 record against both teams. But with the playoff spot on the line, every team will do whatever it can to secure a playoff berth.

Manager Craig Counsell, on the verge of his first playoff berth as a manager, will rely on possibly the team’s hottest pitcher – Zach Davies – in two of the final six matchups. Davies, who ranks second in the NL in wins, has been solid in the second half of the season, garnering a 2.70 ERA since the All-Star break. He’s their most reliable option at this point, excluding maybe Corey Knebel.

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The Cardinals could lose ground against the Cubs over the next three days, as Chicago’s players explained how they want to clinch the NL Central in at Busch Stadium. Three marquee matchups are set as Jake Arrieta squares off against Carlos Martinez, following by John Lackey against Michael Wacha and Kyle Hendricks versus Lance Lynn.

Should the Cubs get their wish, the Cardinals will probably be ousted from the running.

Colorado will rely on a few guys that have pitched sporadically all season. Tyler Anderson, who missed a chunk of the season earlier this year, gets the call Tuesday. The lefty owns a 5.24 ERA overall but has allowed just three runs in 15 2/3 innings since his return.

If the Rockies endure a must-win situation tomorrow, manager Bud Black probably wouldn’t want anyone other than Jon Gray to take the mound. The Colorado ace has the lowest ERA of any Rockies starter at 3.62. He also boasts a higher K/9 ratio than any other starter, despite pitching just 104 1/3 innings this year.

Similar to the last few seasons, Colorado has scored more runs at home than anyone in baseball. And that’s where the Rockies will finish the season. Even though the Dodgers own the best record in baseball, they have struggled at Coors Field this year, going 3-4 with a combined team ERA of 4.27. That is considerably worse than their overall team ERA of 3.06, which is ranked No. 1 in the majors.

Next: Cubs want to clinch their division in St. Louis

The Wild Card Race could end in a photo finish this weekend. On paper, Colorado should probably earn its first playoff spot since 2009, but there are endless possibilities with just five games left in the season.

Actually, scratch that, there are only three possibilities. And one of the three teams, whether it be the Rockies, Brewers or Cards, will find their way into the postseason.

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