Countdown: Braves’ magic number at 1

Credit: Atlanta Braves

Braves manager Brian Snitker comments on the first two wins against the Phillies as the team inches closer to clinching its fourth straight division title.

The Braves clinch their fourth straight division crown with a win over Phillies Thursday night at Truist Park.

Atlanta shaved the magic number to one game with a 7-2 win over Philadelphia behind by a stellar performance by Max Fried, who held the Phillies to two runs (one earned) on four hits over seven innings. He struck out six and didn’t walk a hitter.

If the Phillies spoil the Braves’ bid to clinch Thursday, the race extends into the weekend. (The magic number will decrease with each Braves win or Phillies loss.) Should the Braves win the division title, they would be the No. 3 seed and open the playoffs against the Brewers, who have clinched a playoff spot, have a significant lead the NL Central over the Cardinals and would be the No. 2 seed. The Giants and Dodgers have clinched playoff spots from the NL West, with one being the division winner and the other the first wild card. Just one wild-card spot remains in the NL with the Cardinals currently holding the spot. The Reds, Phillies and Padres remain in contention for the final spot.

The Braves-Brewers series would start Oct. 8 and 9 with Games 1 and 2 in Milwaukee and Oct. 11 and 12 with Games 3 and 4 in Atlanta. If a Game 5 is necessary, it would be played Oct. 14 in Milwaukee.

Remaining schedules:

Braves (85-72)

Thursday: vs. Phillies

Friday: vs. Mets

Saturday: vs. Mets

Sunday: vs. Mets

Phillies (81-77)

Thursday: at Braves

Friday: at Marlins

Saturday: at Marlins

Sunday: at Marlins

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