When we woke up on this date a year ago, four of baseball's division races were entirely up for grabs, the leaders clinging to advantages of fewer than three games. Then again, only an epic collapse from the Mets resulted in any of those leads changing hands by the end of the regular season, so maybe the whole September drama thing is overrated.

But if there's one wild card in the big picture these days, whether they win the actual wild card or chase down the Dodgers for the division, it's the Rockies. SportsNation has been skeptical in kicking the tires on the bandwagon. The team peaked in the Nation's Power Rankings at No. 7 two weeks ago but soon slipped back to the fringes of the top 10.

But the Rockies lead the National League in runs scored (and for all the Coors Field jokes, they also rank No. 7 in team ERA). With Tim Lincecum hurting, Brad Lidge faltering and the Dodgers sputtering, are the Rockies serious contenders or just wild-card pretenders?

nickfromco

I think everyone needs to remember what division the St. Louis Cardinals play in before we hail them as the team to beat in the NL. The Cubs are the second best team in that division at one game over .500. I realize that they have had solid pitching but I think it can be a bit skewed because of the division they play in. Go Rox.

-- NickfromCO
friars_win

Colorado is vastly overrated. 36 games vs. Arizona and San Diego makes an average team look better then they really are as the Rockies are a mere 34-38 vs. teams that are .500 or better this season, including 3-12 vs. the Dodgers and 2-4 vs. Philadelphia.

-- Friars_Win

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