<\/p>\n
For the seventh time in nine seasons, the Atlanta Braves<\/a> are back atop the National League East.<\/p>\n Atlanta clinched the division on Sunday with a 4-2 win over the Houston Astros<\/a>. Despite a late-season push from the Philadelphia Phillies<\/a>, the Braves controlled the division for almost the entire season.\u00a0<\/p>\n The last time Atlanta didn’t hold sole possession of first place in the NL East was on April 7. The Braves moved into first on April 8 and have held sole possession of the division lead ever since.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n With just six games remaining in the season, Atlanta currently has the third-best record in the National League at 92-64. As things stand, the Braves would host the No. 6 seed in a three-game series in one of the two National League Wild Card Series.<\/p>\n There is still time, though, for Atlanta to move up to the No. 2 seed and secure a first-round bye. It certainly won’t be easy, as the Braves will enter Monday either three or four games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Atlanta’s final six games include three against the Cincinnati Reds<\/a> and three against the Miami Marlins<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The final six games for the Dodgers include three against the San Diego Padres<\/a> and three against the San Francisco Giants<\/a>.<\/p>\n Atlanta will likely know its chances of securing a top-two seed headed into the final weekend of the season. A series win for the Dodgers over the Padres would likely secure things and set the seeding in the National League.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nAtlanta clinched the division after a series sweep<\/h2>\n
The Braves still have a chance of a first-round bye<\/h2>\n
The remaining schedules favor the Braves<\/h2>\n