What Braves sweep would mean for MLB Playoff Bracket

If the Atlanta Braves were to sweep the New York Mets on Sunday night, their magic number would shrink to just one game.

Defeating the Mets on Sunday night would ensure a sweep in the teams’ final series of the year. It would also decrease their magic number to 1, with a three-game set against the Miami Marlins coming up.

Atlanta proved they can handle New York’s best this weekend, defeating Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer thanks in large part to the long ball. Sunday night marked a matchup between pitchers who rely heavily on their breaking pitches — namely their curveballs — in Chris Bassitt and Charlie Morton.

Atlanta is comfortable

on the big stage

, and have been here before. Just last season, in fact, they won the NL East and eventually the World Series.

What Braves sweep would mean for MLB Playoff Bracket

Yet, a different playoff format makes this year’s division crown all the more important. Since June 1, Atlanta is playing at a 114-win pace. Winning the East means the Braves would get five days off and an automatic trip to the NLDS. The loser of this NL East battle will be forced to go through a three-game Wild Card series as the No. 4 seed.

Braves magic number

Atlanta’s magic number was 4 entering Sunday night’s game against the Mets. It would shrink to just 1 if they won, and thus swept the series and took the season series against New York, 10-9. New York will play against the Washington Nationals after this series. Should the Braves lose, they would not be in control of their own destiny.

MLB Playoff Bracket if season ended today

If the season ended today, the National League seeding would look like this:

1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Atlanta Braves
3. St. Louis Cardinals
4. New York Mets
5. San Diego Padres
6. Philadelphia Phillies

The entire Mets-Braves series has felt like a postseason preview. Later this week, we’ll start some real October baseball.