All National League division races are over before the final weekend of the regular season, but the wild-card race is just starting to heat up.
The Braves, Mets and Diamondbacks are competing for only two postseason spots after the Padres locked up one wild-card berth, setting the stage for an exciting stretch of games that could actually extend into Monday.
Thanks to Hurricane Helene, there is a real chance all three teams finish Sunday without knowing their fate. The Braves and Mets saw their Wednesday and Thursday games postponed, forcing a doubleheader on Monday as long as the games have playoff implications. With so little separation between the three teams, they likely will.
What does each team need? Here's a look at how the NL wild-card race could shake out.
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NL wild-card playoff picture
The Mets and Braves enter Monday tied with the tiebreaker still to be determined, but the Diamondbacks also find themselves in a virtual tie with two more games played than their counterparts.
- WC2: Braves, 88-72 (.550)
- WC3: Mets, 88-72 (.550)
- Diamondbacks, 89-73 (.549, 0.0 GB
Here are the magic numbers for each team entering Monday's doubleheader:
Mets magic number
The Mets' magic number is 1. With three games left, that means New York controls its own fate.
The Mets simply need one win in Monday's doubleheader to reach the postseason. A sweep, meanwhile, would land them the No. 5 seed in the NL. A split would be enough to get New York in, while two losses would knock the Mets out.
Diamondbacks magic number
The Diamondbacks' magic number is 2.
Arizona is in the unique position of waiting around to find out if the postseason is in the cards, and the path forward is simple: they need either the Mets or Braves to be swept in Monday's doubleheader. A split would eliminate the Diamondbacks.
If they reach the postseason, the Diamondbacks know they would face the Brewers in the Wild Card Series for the second consecutive year.
Braves magic number
The Braves' magic number is still 1. They could have clinched with a win or an Arizona loss on Sunday, but they instead will have to at least split the doubleheader on Monday.
Only a Mets sweep can knock the Braves out. If they do clinch, the Braves know they will face the Padres in the Wild Card Series.
MORE: How do MLB tiebreakers work?
NL wild-card standings
Standings updated through games on Sept. 29.
- WC1: Padres, 93-69 (.574), +4.0 GB
- WC2: Braves, 88-72 (.550)
- WC3: Mets, 88-72 (.550)
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- Diamondbacks, 89-73 (.549), 0.0 GB
- Cubs, 83-79 (.512), ELIMINATED
- Cardinals, 83-79 (.512), ELIMINATED
- Giants, 80-82 (.494), ELIMINATED
- Reds, 77-85 (.475), ELIMINATED
- Pirates, 76-85 (.472), ELIMINATED
- Nationals, 71-91 (.438), ELIMINATED
- Marlins, 62-100 (.383), ELIMINATED
- Rockies, 61-101 (.377), ELIMINATED
MORE: Complete wild-card picture, MLB playoff bracket
Are the Braves in the playoffs?
The Braves have not yet made the playoffs and just need one win over the Mets in Monday's doubleheader to clinch.
Are the Mets in the playoffs?
The Mets have also not yet clinched a postseason berth, but their path forward is the same as Atlanta's: win one game and advance. New York will have to play both games, but a win in Game 1 would fulfill their hopes of playing in October.
Are the Diamondbacks in the playoffs?
The Diamondbacks are currently out of the postseason picture and need either the Mets or Braves to sweep Monday's doubleheader. A split would eliminate Arizona from contention.
