The National League playoff landscape has experienced a shift due to recent results in afternoon games. Following the Atlanta Braves’ defeat (16-7 against the Milwaukee Brewers) and the New York Mets’ victory (9-1 over the Colorado Rockies), the Braves have slipped from a half-game lead to a half-game deficit for the third wild-card spot.
As a result, the Braves are currently on the outside of the playoff picture for the first time since 2017.
Having held a six-game advantage over the Mets at the start of July 9, the Braves are now struggling with a five-game losing streak. Their performance in August stands at 2-5, resulting in a 7-12 record in the second half. Conversely, the Mets have surged with a 12-8 record since the All-Star break.
Neither team poses a significant threat to the National League East title. Despite recent struggles by the Philadelphia Phillies, they maintain a commanding 7 1/2-game lead, the largest among all division leaders.
The Braves are set to embark on a challenging 10-game road trip across three cities on the West Coast, facing the Rockies, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Angels. On the other hand, the Mets will conclude their road trip with a series against the Seattle Mariners before returning home for a nine-game stretch against the Oakland Athletics, Miami Marlins, and Baltimore Orioles.
According to FanGraphs data, the Braves have a slightly easier schedule ahead, as their opponents have won 48.6% of their games this season compared to the Mets’ opponents who have won 49.9%.
It’s important to note that the Braves and Mets will face off in three more games before the regular season concludes, with those matchups taking place in Atlanta during the final week. While there is still a significant amount of baseball left to be played, these games could ultimately determine which team secures a postseason berth. Furthermore, the winner of the series will claim the season series victory and the crucial tiebreaker if needed.
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