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09/18 22:26 CDT Atlanta Braves clinch 8th playoff berth in 9 years with victory
over Astros
Atlanta Braves clinch 8th playoff berth in 9 years with victory over Astros
By KRISTIE RIEKEN
AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) --- The Atlanta Braves are back in the playoffs after missing out
last season.
The first-place Braves beat the Houston Astros 6-2 on Friday night to punch
their ticket to the postseason for the eighth time in nine years. They clinched
at least a National League wild card and reduced their magic number to three
for winning the NL East.
Michael Harris II, Ronald Acua Jr. and Matt Olson each hit a two-run homer to
help the Braves bounce back after dropping two of three games to the Chicago
Cubs this week.
Atlanta is trying to hold off the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East title
and could wrap up the division crown as soon as Sunday. Atlanta's win Friday
night coupled with Philadelphia's 6-3 loss to the Mets gave the Braves a
five-game lead over the Phillies with eight to play.
If the Braves take the division, it will be their seventh NL East championship
in nine years.
Atlanta's return to the playoffs comes after a disappointing 2025 season in
which the team went 76-86 and finished fourth in the division, snapping a
streak of seven straight playoff appearances that included six consecutive NL
East titles from 2018-23. That run was highlighted by beating the Astros to win
the 2021 World Series.
Friday's victory gave the Braves 90 wins, marking the fifth time in the last
eight full seasons that they've reached the mark. The only teams with more
90-win seasons in that stretch are the Dodgers with eight and the Brewers and
Yankees with six apiece.
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