Playoff
Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuna Jr. and Austin Riley score on a single hit by Travis d'Arnaud in the third inning of a baseball against the New York Mets, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)

NL Playoff Landscape

The National League promises to provide an intense postseason as teams look forward to their playoff matchups.

Stances and Starts

The most exciting divisional race in baseball is happening in the NL East. The Atlanta Braves successfully took the division lead over the New York Mets after being behind for nearly the entire year. After sweeping the Mets at home over the weekend, the Braves now hold a two game lead and their magic number to win the division is down to one. There are just three games remaining for each ball club. The division winner will have the two seed and first round bye, while the loser will hold the top wild card spot.

The Philadelphia Phillies are also making a push out of the east as they currently hold the third and final wild card spot. With 86 wins, they have a two game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers, who need some help to keep their hopes alive. In the NL Central, the Cardinals have the division wrapped up. With 92 wins, they have the third seed.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have tallied 110 wins so far this year. With three games to play, they have locked down the best record in the league and will have a wild card round bye along with home field advantage the entire postseason. Additionally, the San Diego Padres have secured a playoff birth. They currently hold the second wild card spot but are still battling with Philly to see where things end up. If the postseason started today, this would be the picture.

https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1576598125015597063?s=20&t=3MtFbUWKo-5alecg42X7BA

Storylines

The Braves look to be the first team to win back-to-back World Series since the New York Yankees in 1999. The Dodgers look to defend the league’s best regular season record and they attempt to reach their fourth World Series in six years. They hope to capture their second World Series since 2019. The Cardinals look to send off Adam Wainwright, Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina with a World Series ring. The legendary trio will say goodbye to baseball, after this year. The NL Pennant race will be a fun one to watch, with the playoffs beginning Friday.

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