NL Wild Card Race: Atlanta Braves need 1 win against New York Mets to advance to MLB playoffs

That's what matters.

The Atlanta Braves host their National League East rival, the New York Mets, in a doubleheader on Monday to determine the final NL Wild Card spots.

For the Braves, the playoff scenario is simple: win and you're in. Get defeated and stay home.

“I don’t think anyone has ever experienced this whole thing,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said Sunday.

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The Braves only needed a win against the Kansas City Royals or a loss against the Arizona Diamondbacks to make the playoffs on Sunday. But the Diamondbacks beat the San Diego Padres and the Mets defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, setting up Monday's showdown.

The Braves and Mets have identical records heading into Monday's doubleheader at 88-72. The Diamondbacks finished the season 89-73. This means both teams only need one win as they each have a tiebreaker against Arizona to advance to the playoffs.

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It doesn't matter which game the Braves win, Game 1 or Game 2. Atlanta plans to have two of their best on the mound to put them in a position to win.

Snitker said rookie Spencer Wechselbach will get the start in Game 1. If the Mets win Game 1, Atlanta will turn to All-Star and Cy Young front-runner Chris Sale to help send them to the playoffs.

“That’s about the best I can feel,” Snitker said. “The ball is in our court. If we don’t get one of those things done, it’s just one of (those) things.”

If the Braves secure a wild card spot, they will be the No. 5 seed and fly off to play the Wild Card series against the No. 4 seed Padres.

The Associated Press contributed to this report from Truist Park.

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