Looking at the rest of the Braves schedule as the postseason looms

The Braves have about a month left in the season and are amid Game 1 of a three-game set against the Rockies at home. Coming off a series against the Phillies, in which they fell in three of four, the Braves are now well out of reach of the NL East title, but attention shifts to the NL Wild Card.

At the time of this writing, this is how the Wild Card race looks.

NL Wild Card Race

1. San Diego Padres — (79-61)
2. Arizona Diamondbacks — (77-61)
3. Atlanta Braves —  (74-63)
4. New York Mets — 0.5 GB
5. Chicago Cubs — 3.5 GB
6. St. Louis Cardinals — 5.5 GB

The Braves schedule isn’t hard down the stretch; in fact, it’s relatively easy with series against the three worst teams in the National League, but there are a couple of teams in the playoffs or vying for a spot.

3 games vs. Colorado Rockies (51-87)

This has to be a get-right series for the Braves. Demanding a sweep is difficult to ask against any MLB team, but Colorado is among the worst clubs in baseball. It’s not crazy to say the Braves need to sweep.

3 games vs. Toronto Blue Jays (67-72)

The Blue Jays aren’t nearly as bad as the Rockies, but this is another series the Braves should win, taking at least two of three.

1 game vs. Cincinnati Reds (66-73)

This is a make-up game from a doubleheader from late July against a club that isn’t in postseason contention that should be a Braves win.

2 games @ Washington Nationals (61-76)

The second-to-last place in the division, the Braves have owned the Nationals in recent years, and even with some inspiring young talent, Washington probably shouldn’t split this pair.

4 games vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (83-55)

The Braves host the first-place Dodgers, who are trying to fight off the red hot Padres and Diamondbacks in the NL East. LA won’t be coasting into October in this one. Atlanta will get their best.

3 games @ Cincinnati Reds (66-73)

They won’t be in playoff contention later in the month either.

3 games @ Miami Marlins (51-86)

The Marlins are a glorified Triple-A club, and the Braves have to take this one too.

3 games vs. New York Mets (74-64)

The Mets have won five in a row as I write this, and they’re within spitting distance of the Braves in the Wild Card. This is a series that very well could decide the final spot in the NL Wild Card race.

3 games vs. Kansas City Royals (75-64)

The Royals own the final spot in the AL Wild Card race and are up 4.5 games on the Red Sex, 5.0 games on the Tigers, and 5.5 games on the Mariners. Though Kansas City’s lead is larger than the Braves, they likely won’t be letting their foot off the pedal in the final series of the season unless they have clinched a postseason berth.

—

All in all, the Braves schedule down the stretch is favorable.

—

Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire