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Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: don’t lose the edge for chaos could happen

By Alan Carpenter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - SEPTEMBER 02: A fire burns at the National Museum of Brazil on September 2, 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The museum, which is tied to the Rio de Janeiro federal university and the Education Ministry, was founded in 1818 by King John VI of Portugal. It houses several landmark collections including Egyptian artefacts and the oldest human fossil found in Brazil. Its collection include more than 20 million items ranging from archaeological findings to historical memorabilia. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - SEPTEMBER 02: A fire burns at the National Museum of Brazil on September 2, 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The museum, which is tied to the Rio de Janeiro federal university and the Education Ministry, was founded in 1818 by King John VI of Portugal. It houses several landmark collections including Egyptian artefacts and the oldest human fossil found in Brazil. Its collection include more than 20 million items ranging from archaeological findings to historical memorabilia. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) /
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As the first team clinching in the National League, the Braves have a chance to rest and set themselves up for an October 4th date… against somebody… somewhere.

It’s a bit of unfamiliar territory, this position that the Atlanta Braves find themselves in.  Mind you, it’s also exactly what you want to see happen:  an early end to your divisional race with your team on top.

But now the Braves need to figure out a balance between continuing to play like their hair is still on fire and trying not to get hurt.  This club has gotten where they are by doing the former all year long.  They now need to take care of themselves while also trying to continue the intensity of this past weekend.

Part of the reason for that, of course, is that Atlanta still has something to play for.  As of this writing (while games are still in progress tonight)…

  • The Cubs are behind to Pittsburgh, 3-1 (in 6th)
  • The Cardinals and Brewers are tied, 1-1 (Top 5th)
  • The Rockies are ahead 4-0 over the Phillies (3rd)
  • The Dodgers and DBacks are underway; LA up 1-0.

All of these games – and their full series’s – have potential impact for the Braves in terms of seeding and home field advantage.

Starting on Tuesday, Atlanta will be playing a feisty Mets club that’s 5-5 in their last 10, having done that work against the Red Sox, Nationals, and Phillies… taking 3 of 4 from the Nats in recent days.

The Cubs finish with the Pirates and then the Cardinals.  If the Pirates hold on tonight, then perhaps the Cubs’ 3 game cushion starts getting wobbly – particularly if the Cards continue to play well.

So as things stand at this moment, the Braves still have these possible options in play for their first round matchup:

  • DODGERS – Home or Away
  • ROCKIES – Home or Away
  • CUBS – Home or Away
  • BREWERS – Home or Away
  • CARDINALS – Home or Away

Yes – all of those scenarios are still on the board.  The most likely outcome is a matchup with the Dodgers… and I’m guessing that it happens in LA as they win the tie-breaker.

The Chaos Scenario

I’m going to write this down quickly in case it becomes impossible after tonight 😀 … here’s the deal:

  • Dodgers (87-69).  Play Arizona (3)/Giants (3).
  • Rockies (85-70).  Play Phillies (4)/Nationals (3).
  • Cubs (91-64).  Play Pittsburgh (4)/Cardinals (3).
  • Brewers (89-67).  Play Cards (3)/Tigers (3).
  • Cardinals (87-69).  Play Brewers (3)/Cubs (3).
  • Braves (88-68). Play Mets (3)/Phillies (3).

More from Tomahawk Take

Here it goes… never mind how likely it won’t happen:

  • Cubs lose all 7.  91-71 finish.
  • Braves win 3, lose 3.  91-71 finish.
  • Cards beat MIL once, beat Cubs 3 times.  91-71 finish.
  • Brew Crew beats Cards twice, loses out to Tigers.  91-71 finish.
  • Dodgers win 4, lose 2:  91-71 finish.
  • Rockies win 6, lose 1:  91-71 finish.

…OR…

  • Cubs beat PIT once; lose the rest.  92-70 finish.
  • Braves win 4, lose 2.  92-70 finish.
  • Cards beat MIL twice, beat Cubs 3 times.  92-70 finish.
  • Brew Crew beats Cards once, beats Tigers once.  92-70 finish.
  • Dodgers win 5, lose 1:  92-70 finish.
  • Rockies win all 7:  92-70 finish.

YES!  Either situation gets us a six-way tie among all playoff teams!  The Braves get to sit and laugh while the others fight for division titles and Wild Card positioning, but the tie-breakers and game venue decisions would be hilarious.  It won’t happen, but I really wanna see this chaotic event happen ONCE in my lifetime!

TUES AM UPDATE:  Brewers/Dodgers/Rockies all win; Cardinals/Cubs lose.  Chaos is still possible, though more difficult.

ALSO:  The Nationals (79-78) just moved past the Phillies (78-78) into 2nd place in the NL East.

Next. Braves have any angels in their future outfield?. dark

But let’s enjoy the week:  a day off on Monday followed by 6 more regular season games, three consecutive days off, and then show time.

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