Open in App
  • Local
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • Sporting News

    NL wild-card standings, explained: Updated Braves, Mets, Diamondbacks playoff chances and tiebreakers for 2024 MLB bracket

    By Dan Treacy,

    23 hours ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4XeXTy_0vm0x1PA00

    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.

    SN's MLB HQ: Live MLB scores | Updated MLB standings | Full MLB schedule

    NL wild-card playoff picture

    The Mets, Diamondbacks and Braves are separated by zero games entering Saturday, though Arizona has played two more games than its counterparts.

    • WC2: Braves, 87-71 (.551)
    • WC3: Mets, 87-71 (.551)
    • Diamondbacks, 88-72 (.550) 0.0 GB (tiebreaker)

    The Braves currently hold the NL's No. 5 seed, but the Mets are in a virtual tie with the same record and Arizona trails only be a hair.

    Here are the magic numbers for each team entering Saturday.

    Mets magic number

    The Mets' magic number is 3 . With four games left, that means New York controls its own fate.

    The Mets entered their series against the Braves with hopes of locking up a postseason berth, but a loss in the series opener and the postponement of the final two games erased any hope the team could play some meaningless games down the stretch.

    New York can still clinch against the Brewers, but it would require some help in the form of Diamondbacks losses to the Padres.

    The Mets hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Diamondbacks but would need to sweep the doubleheader against the Braves to hold that tiebreaker as well. A three-team tie would send New York and Atlanta to the postseason.

    MORE: Which MLB, college football games are being impacted by Hurricane Helene

    Diamondbacks magic number

    The Diamondbacks don't have a magic number anymore, but their elimination number is 3 .

    Arizona entered Friday in control of its fate, but a loss to the Padres and Braves win pushed the Diamondbacks out of a postseason spot. Since the Mets and Braves still play each other, just one Diamondbacks win over the Padres could be enough keep the team's hopes alive into Monday.

    The Diamondbacks do not hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over either the Braves or Mets and would lose out in a three-team tie scenario.

    Braves magic number

    The Braves' magic number after Friday's win over the Royals is 3 . The victory sent Atlanta surging back into a postseason spot.

    After taking down the Mets on Tuesday, the Braves know three consecutive wins would be enough to make the postseason regardless of what else the Diamondbacks and Mets do over the weekend.

    Atlanta doesn't need to finish 4-0 to make the postseason. More losses by the Mets and Diamondbacks this weekend can help open up an easier path for the Braves.

    The Braves hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Diamondbacks and need just one more win over the Mets to hold that tiebreaker as well.

    MORE: How do MLB tiebreakers work?

    NL wild-card standings

    Standings updated through games on Sept. 27.

    • WC1: Padres, 92-68 (.575), +4.0 GB
    • WC2: Braves, 87-71 (.551)
    • WC3: Mets, 87-71 (.551)
    • Diamondbacks, 88-72 (.550), 0.0 GB
    • Cubs, 82-78 (.513), ELIMINATED
    • Cardinals , 82-78 (.513), ELIMINATED
    • Giants, 79-81 (.494), ELIMINATED
    • Reds, 76-84 (.475),  ELIMINATED
    • Pirates, 75-85 (.469), ELIMINATED
    • Nationals, 70-90 (.438), ELIMINATED
    • Rockies, 61-99 (.381), ELIMINATED
    • Marlins, 60-100 (.375), ELIMINATED

    MORE: Complete wild-card picture, MLB playoff bracket

    Are the Braves in the playoffs?

    The Braves have not yet clinched a playoff spot, but they did jump to the No. 5 seed on Friday. Atlanta already controlled its fate, but the Braves now need only three more wins to guarantee themselves a trip to the postseason.

    The Braves hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Diamondbacks, and one more win over the Mets would give them that tiebreaker as well. In a three-team tie, the Braves and Mets would advance.

    Are the Mets in the playoffs?

    The Mets have not yet clinched a postseason berth, though they currently hold the NL's No. 6 seed.

    There is still plenty of uncertainty surrounding the Mets, as their season could come down to a Monday doubleheader against the Braves. The mission is clear, though: win three more games and make the playoffs.

    Any more help from the Padres against the Diamondbacks over the weekend could make the Mets' path to clinching much easier.

    Are the Diamondbacks in the playoffs?

    The Diamondbacks are currently out of the postseason picture and no longer control their fate entering Saturday.

    If the Diamondbacks continue to struggle against San Diego, they could be waiting around Monday to find out whether they will make the postseason at all. In one scenario, Arizona could enter Monday knowing the franchise is playoff-bound but not knowing where it will play Tuesday.

    Expand All
    Comments / 1
    Add a Comment
    Richard Nordin
    11h ago
    CYA DBACKS!!
    View all comments
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Local News newsLocal News
    Total Apex Sports & Entertainment11 hours ago
    Arizona Diamondbacks On SI2 days ago

    Comments / 0