The Atlanta Braves came one step closer to the playoffs and extended retiring manager Bobby Cox’s season for at least one game, beating the Philadelphia Phillies 8-7. With their win over the Phillies today, the Braves finished the season at 91-71, assuring themselves either the National League wild card spot or a potential one-game playoff against the Giants or the Padres.
If the San Francisco Giants beat the San Diego Padres this afternoon to take the NL West title, the Braves will be in the postseason as a wild card, which goes to the second-place team with the best record. If the Padres win, they would tie the Giants at 91-71 and would play San Francisco in a one-game playoff tomorrow for the NL West title. The loser then would play the Braves the following day in Atlanta for the wild-card spot.
