J.K. Rolling

Author: Jeff Klein

The race for the National League wild card looks messier than an unshaven Johnny Damon. As of this Sunday, seven teams were within five games of the wild card lead. Call that parity, but it also reflects a lack of quality teams in the National League (NL), mockingly dubbed "Quadruple-A" by critics. As it currently stands, the Padres would win the NL wild card. If the Padres played in the American League, they wouldn't have a chance.

So with only a few weeks left in the regular season, it's time to separate the contenders from the pretenders in the dogfight that is the NL wild card race:

San Diego Padres: Despite their mediocre record, they seem to have the upper hand in this race. The pitching staff was greatly buoyed by the acquisition of David Wells, a savvy veteran who thrives under the spotlight. Wells brings both experience and a swagger that can become contagious in a clubhouse. Along with ace Jake Peavy, he gives the Padres a significant advantage.

San Francisco Giants: The Giants have come on strong, charging back into the chase, as they recently took two out of three games from the Padres. Barry Bonds is hot, and with him in the lineup, anything is possible. Their final three games with the rival L.A. Dodgers, may determine their fate.

Philadelphia Phillies: Boy, does the Phillies' front office look like a bunch of fools now. Management traded star slugger Bobby Abreu and veteran pitcher Cory Lidle to the Yankees thinking the team was out of the playoff race. Problem is, the other players didn't want to call it quits and they have started to win. It will take a heroic effort, but this team certainly has the resolve to come out on top.

Florida Marlins: What potential for a storybook ending. The Marlins entered the season with a payroll of $14 million and fell to 11-31 record on May 21. To put that in perspective, A-Rod personally makes over $25 million and on Sept. 4 they became the first team in MLB history to climb above .500 after being 20 games under. Manager Joe Girardi has gotten his team to believe, but it still is a longshot.

Cincinnati Reds: The Reds held the wild card lead for much of the season, but are quickly fading. They had a golden opportunity to run away with the wild card and even challenge the St. Louis Cardinals for the division, but the gas has run out of the tank. Count the Reds out.

Prediction: I'm tempted to go with the underdog Marlins here, but the rational side of me says the Padres will come out as the winner. They will have a first-round matchup with the Mets and an early exit from the playoffs.