Postseason Preview: If the Season Ended Today, Who Would Be Atlanta's Playoff Challengers?

It's no secret: In the National League, it's been the Atlanta Braves and then everybody else.

After their 8-0 win over the red-hot Chicago Cubs, Atlanta became the first team in baseball to notch 70 victories on the season. As it stands, the Braves sit 70-34 on the year — the best record in baseball. They boast a commanding 12.0 game lead on the Philadelphia Phillies, who sit at second place in the NL East at 59-50.

That 70 Show!

The @Braves are the first team in MLB to 70 wins. pic.twitter.com/g0UuO9rHNF
— MLB (@MLB) August 4, 2023

The magic number for Atlanta is now 43. If Brian Snitker's squad were to play the rest of the way at the New York Mets' current winning percentage (.463), and if the Phillies were to play the rest of the season at the Braves' current winning percentage (.654), Atlanta would still win the division by a game.

The Braves are just the 19th team since 2000 to get to 70 wins before 40 losses. Six of the previous 18 teams made the World Series, four won. Needless to say, there's still work to be done — but Atlanta looks historically good.

However, they won't be without plenty of worthy challengers come October. Let's take a look at the current postseason picture in the National League.

THE BIG PICTURE:

Your current division leaders at the moment are the Atlanta Braves (70-34, No. 1), Los Angeles Dodgers (62-45, No. 2), and Milwaukee Brewers (59-51, No. 3).

With the new 12-team MLB playoff format being implemented in 2022, the top two seeds in each league receive a bye into the Division Series, while the remaining four teams play a best-of-three Wild Card Series — meaning that the Brewers would be your top-seeded Wild Card team as it currently stands, and the Dodgers would be slated for the second bye behind the Braves.

Joining the Brewers in the Wild Card are the San Francisco Giants (61-49, No. 4), Philadelphia Phillies (59-50, No. 5) and Cincinnati Reds (59-52, No. 6).

The winner of Philadelphia vs. San Francisco would take on Atlanta. The winner of Milwaukee vs. Cincinnati would face Los Angeles.

WILD CARD CONTENDERS:

Lingering in the immediate shadows are the Miami Marlins (58-52), Arizona Diamondbacks (57-53) and Chicago Cubs (56-54).

The Marlins will be hoping that deadline trade acquisition Jake Burger (.215/25 HRs/52 RBIs/.313 rOBA) can provide some pop and ticket sales at third base as Miami sits a half-game back of the Reds for the final playoff spot.

The Marlins are offering $5 burgers tonight to welcome Jake Burger to the team 😭

(via @Marlins) pic.twitter.com/X0hAsI555B
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 2, 2023

Arizona addressed most of their deadline needs by adding Seattle Mariners closer Paul Sewald, bats Tommy Pham and Jace Peterson, and right-handed reliever Peter Strzelecki. One game back of Miami and 1.5 games behind Cincinnati, the Diamondbacks have made it clear that they intend on making a strong postseason push in the second half.

Initially thought to be sellers, Chicago made a splash at the deadline — acquiring third baseman Jeimer Candelario from the woeful Washington Nationals. Candelario, a seasoned veteran, is in the midst of a career year — slashing .274/.356/.497 with 16 HRs and 54 RBIs. Not trading valuable chips in SP Marcus Stroman and OF/1B Cody Bellinger could come back to bite, but the Cubs feel as if a 2.5 game deficit for the final Wild Card spot and a mere 33.6% chance at making the playoffs aren't too much to overcome in Wrigleyville.

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