The best closer in baseball wastes a two-run lead and blows his first save since May 7. The best shortstop in baseball makes a game-losing error. The Atlanta Braves' magic number remains at four. Their lead over the Washington Nationals shrinks to nine games with 12 to play. And surely some among us are wondering, "Is this 2011 all over again?"

The answer: No, it's not. It can't be. In the history of baseball, no team has ever not made the playoffs after leading by 10 games on Sept. 16. Not the 1964 Phillies, not the 2011 Braves (or the 2011 Red Sox) -- nobody ever. But the way the Braves are playing, it's a good thing they got so far ahead. Because September hasn't been kind, and the Nats, who took forever to get going, are going now.

The Braves led by 15 games on Sept. 3. They've since lost eight of 12, while the Nats have won 10 of 12. Any sense of creeping dread would be alleviated by a victory in the second half of today's day-night doubleheader, but it's worth noting that Tuesday afternoon's excruciating loss came on a day when Dan Uggla actually drove in a run. When that happens, you're supposed to win.

In its oddness, this loss was reminiscent of the loss in Miami on Sept. 19, 2011. That was the night Chipper Jones lost a ground ball in the lights, the night Omar Infante hit a game-winning homer off Craig Kimbrel, the night the Epic Collapse began in earnest.

Please understand that I'm not saying another collapse is about to occur. Actually, I'm saying it's not. (The laws of probability tell us as much. Don't they?) But you can understand if we around here get a little skittish this time of year.

Oh, and if the Braves beat the Nats the next two days and clinch in Washington, forget I said anything.

Today's print column via myajc.com: Are the Braves ready for October?

Further reading: Has Fredi Gonzalez given up on Dan Uggla?