What Braves Fans Should Be Cheering For: Updated Wildcard Rankings

Following a Cinderella Tuesday night, the landscape for the Braves and a potential playoff birth has changed. Going into the series opener against the Mets the belief was that the Braves, down 3 games to the Mets in the wild card, needed a sweep of the division rival to advance to the postseason. However..things have changed.

What Happened and Why It Matters

• The Arizona Diamondbacks were defeated by the San Francisco Giants 11-0. Why it matters: With the Diamondback's loss, the Braves are now tied in the loss column with the Diamondbacks and a half-game out (the Diamondbacks have played one more game than the Braves). Furthermore, while the blowout may or may not hint at a pending collapse, the Diamondbacks, in any case, had to expend quite a few arms out of the bullpen right at the start of an essential final week.
• The San Diego Padres defeated the Dodgers on an insane triple play. Why it matters: After the Diamondbacks get out of the San Francisco series, they have to travel to San Diego to take on the Padres in their final matchup of the season. San Diego began the series with the Dodgers 3 games back of the division leading Dodgers. The division winner will get an all-important first-round buy of the playoffs. The Dodgers could've clinched the series with the Padres, meaning San Diego likely would've rested players against the must win Diamondbacks. However, if the Padres take one or both of the next two from the Dodgers, they'll have everything to play for against Arizona.
• The Royals beat the Nationals 1-0 in 10 innings. Why it matters: The Braves play the Royals in a three game stretch at home to finish the season. The Royals could clinch a wild-card berth BEFORE the series with the Braves, suggesting they might rest players against the must win Braves.
• Both the Mariners AND Twins lost must win games. Why it matters: The Mariners and the Royals currently trail the Royals for the last wild-card spot in the AL. With both teams losing, the Royals now have a realistic chance to clinch a wild-card spot before they play the Braves.
• A hurricane is coming through Atlanta. Why it matters: MLB may postpone the last two games against the Mets and do a double header Monday after the weekend series'. Why would this matter? First, the Mets would have to fly back to Atlanta Sunday night after concluding their series with the Brewers. However perhaps more impactful is that one of the key figures in the NL Cy Young Race for much of the season, Reynaldo Lopez, is eligible to come back from the IL on Thursday. Whether they would rush him back remains to be seen, but the timing is nonetheless serendipitous.
• Oh yea, also BRAVES WON.

Who Braves Fans Should Cheer For

Ok the short of it without the confusing logic of it all:

• Braves to Win (obviously).
• Royals to sweep the Nationals.
• Twins to lose.
• Mariners to lose.
• Padres to sweep the Dodgers (or at least take another game in the series).

NL Wild Card Standings are entering on Wednesday, September 25th.