For the seventh time in nine seasons, the Atlanta Braves are back atop the National League East.
Atlanta clinched the division after a series sweep
Atlanta clinched the division on Sunday with a 4-2 win over the Houston Astros. Despite a late-season push from the Philadelphia Phillies, the Braves controlled the division for almost the entire season.
The last time Atlanta didn’t hold sole possession of first place in the NL East was on April 7. The Braves moved into first on April 8 and have held sole possession of the division lead ever since.
The Braves still have a chance of a first-round bye
With just six games remaining in the season, Atlanta currently has the third-best record in the National League at 92-64. As things stand, the Braves would host the No. 6 seed in a three-game series in one of the two National League Wild Card Series.
There is still time, though, for Atlanta to move up to the No. 2 seed and secure a first-round bye. It certainly won’t be easy, as the Braves will enter Monday either three or four games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The remaining schedules favor the Braves
Atlanta’s final six games include three against the Cincinnati Reds and three against the Miami Marlins.
The final six games for the Dodgers include three against the San Diego Padres and three against the San Francisco Giants.
Atlanta will likely know its chances of securing a top-two seed headed into the final weekend of the season. A series win for the Dodgers over the Padres would likely secure things and set the seeding in the National League.
