MLB Playoff Race: National League Home-Field Advantage Up for Grabs

Who says that the MLB playoff races are boring this year? Scoff. There are plenty of meaningful games left to be played, especially for home-field advantage in the National League. 

The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Milwaukee Brewers head into the last 12 games in a dead heat.

Both teams have four three-game series left and are currently 87-63. With home-field advantage for the National League Division Series at stake, this is no time for a flub. So, which team needs home-field more?

This is a trick question; every team needs home-field advantage in the playoffs—in any sport.

Which of these two teams will earn the right to begin their playoff series to the delight of their home crowd remains to be seen.

Here's some insight into what's ahead.

The Brewers remaining games are split between home and road. They take to the road against the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs, then finish at home against the Florida Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Brewers are 27-13 against their remaining opponents.

While the Brew Crew are a most impressive 52-23 at home this season, they're only 35-40 on the road. In their defense, they are 19-11 on the road since the All-Star break. With six tough road games left against divisional opponents, fans have to be on edge. Milwaukee fans desperately want the Brewers to open up at Miller Park. 

The Diamondbacks' remaining games are home-heavy. The team finishes their season on the road this weekend against the San Diego Padres, then head home to play the Pirates, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Diamondbacks are 27-22 against their remaining opponents.

The Diamondbacks are a young squad who are led by an experienced and tough-as-nails manager in Kirk Gibson. The team is playing for respect and have nothing to lose. This makes them very dangerous down the stretch.

So, who wins home-field advantage?

On paper it's neck and neck. The Brewers play slightly weaker competition but play more games on the road, where they are susceptible to defeat. The Diamondbacks finish with nine straight home games but play the Giants and Dodgers, who won't go down without a fight.

Baseball fans will just have to sit back and watch the theatrics as they play out. Statistics on paper don't mean a thing heading into late September. After all, that's why the games are played.