Simply wild: NL's last playoff spot could come down to final week

Entering play Tuesday, the Atlanta Braves hold a half-game lead over the New York Mets and a 3.5-game lead over the Chicago Cubs for the final wild-card spot in the National League.

Atlanta (74-63) is coming off losing three of four to the Phillies, while the Mets and Cubs are playing some of their best baseball of the season, putting pressure squarely on the Braves.

Atlanta is entering the softer part of its remaining schedule, with upcoming series against the Rockies (51-87), Blue Jays (67-72) and Reds (66-73).

For the Mets, they are also in a softer part of the schedule, with series next against the Red Sox (70-68), Reds and Blue Jays.

Meanwhile, the Cubs are entering the toughest stretch of their remaining schedule after Tuesday's game against the downtrodden Pirates (64-73). After Pittsburgh, Chicago has a three-game series against the first-place Yankees (80-58) and then the Dodgers (83-55).

Atlanta must play its best over the last four weeks of the regular season to hold off the Mets and Cubs.

For the Braves, the recent additions of second baseman Whit Merrifield (released by Phillies) and third baseman Gio Urshela (released by Tigers) have worked out well. Merrifield has a .243 average and an OPS of .698, since signing with Atlanta, which is a major improvement compared to his .199 average and .572 OPS with the Phillies. Urshela is batting .293 with an OPS of .675 since his signing .

For the Mets, the duo of first baseman Pete Alonso (two home runs in past five games) and shortstop Francisco Lindor ( .316 AVG in past five games) has fueled a five-game winning streak.

For the Cubs, a prolific offense — Chicago has scored 102 runs over its past 11 games — has powered a 9-2 stretch.

In previous seasons, the Mets have collapsed down the stretch and eventually missed out on the playoffs, an issue manager Carlos Mendoza knows well.

The Cubs do not hold a tiebreaker over any team ahead of them in the standings, as the Braves, Mets, Diamondbacks and Padres all won their season series over Chicago. It is important for the Cubs to maintain their torrid pace, and they will still need help from other teams.

The Braves and Mets will meet one last time in a three-game series in Atlanta from Sept. 24-26. That series could very well determine who wins the final wild card.