Atlanta Braves: Does this team still have a shot at NL Wild Card vs. Rockies?
In her “Braves could play two one-game playoffs” piece, the AJC’s Carroll Rogers sets out the scenario under which Atlanta might host two deciding post-regular season games:
“If the Braves finish in a three-way tie with the Phillies and Rockies, they would play Monday to decide the division winner and if they lose, another game Tuesday to decide the wild-card winner.
That would happen if the Braves go 5-0, the Phillies go 0-5 and the Rockies go 2-3.
Here are the teams’ schedules, including results for all three clubs from Tuesday, Sept. 29. The schedules end Oct. 4.
Braves – at home vs. Marlins (9/29-30) LOSS vs. Marlins on 9/29 … at home vs. Nationals (10/1-4)
Phillies – at home vs. Astros (9/29-10/1) WIN vs. Astros on 9/29 … at home vs. Marlins (10/2-4)
Rockies – at home vs. Brewers (9/29-10/1) WIN vs. Brewers on 9/29 … away at Dodgers (10/2-4)
YOU TELL US: Which scenario listed above is most likely to happen, given the three teams’ schedules? Will the Braves play one, two or no deciding games at The Ted?
GOING TO THE GAME? Our Inside Access blogger, Jamie Gumbrecht, has some cool “know before you go” hints geared to save Braves fans time and money.
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86 comments Add your comment
Daniel
September 30th, 2009
11:59 am
The Rockies can still go 2-3 in the final five. Problem is I don’t thiink the Braves can go 5-0. I really hope I’m wrong though
desibrave
September 30th, 2009
12:05 pm
Lets take the Tie with the phillies out of the picture. Phillies are going to the division. Our best chance is Wildcard. So we have to go 5-0 which is highly likely. This team can do it. Big question is 2-3 by Rockies. Looks like the Brewers are giving hard time for Rockies. So lets say they go 1-1 the rest of this series with Brewers. That means Dodgers have to win the series against Rockies. Dodgers are managed by Joe Torre who would respect the schedule and make sure he fields his best team during that series. Dodgers own Rockies this season 12-3 so far. And the games are in LA. So pretty good chances for Braves to get into a tie with Rockies. Javy is on the mound today so we still Believe!
dylan
September 30th, 2009
12:06 pm
second
Marc in FL
September 30th, 2009
12:08 pm
Last night was inflating, still proud of this team though, keep on keeping on Braves!
dylan
September 30th, 2009
12:08 pm
i BELIEVE!!!!!!!
Wes
September 30th, 2009
12:18 pm
I don’t think the Braves have a shot at the NL East title… those fightin’ Phils pretty much have it already. However, the Braves just need to take care of business at the Ted this weekend and basically win all of their remaining games. And we need major help from the Brew Crew and Dodgers to beat the Rockies.
I will be at the Ted tonight… GO BRAVES!
Michael C
September 30th, 2009
12:24 pm
The NL east is out of the question, however, the wild card is still a good possiblity. Hopefully the Brewers can come through and thankfully the Dodgers are still fighting to maintain the best record in the NL. Also another incentive for the Dodgers is that they want the want the Braves to win the Wild card. That would mean the Dodgers would face the Braves if they maintained the best record, otherwise they would have to face the Cardinals in the first round, the three headed monster of a pitching staff for the Card’s is not desirable for the team with the best record in the NL! GO BRAVES!!!
DHD
September 30th, 2009
12:25 pm
It’s the old “one day at a time” thing. We have to win tonight and the Rockies lose tonight, or it’s history. Pretty simple.
DC Bravesfan
September 30th, 2009
12:45 pm
That’s the problem with a 7 game win streak, it’s gotta end sometime…The Braves can win out, and COL can lose one to MIL, and 2 to LAD, that would do it. A sweep of COL by LAD would be crucial! Too bad their race isn’t tighter…
RHR
September 30th, 2009
12:46 pm
I wouldn’t call the wild card a “good possibility” … I wouldn’t have even called it that before the loss last night. It was always a long shot. The dodgers are playing like crap and the rockies have luck on their side every year in September, it seems. If we had another week to play then I’d put money on the braves but we don’t. I do think the Braves are playing better than any team in the NL right now, its a shame they likely won’t be playing next week. I love how they have turned it around this second half and will be a contender all season in 2010 not just a 2nd half contender like they were this year. Thanks for making it interesting til the end, Braves.
mexican-brave
September 30th, 2009
12:47 pm
we can still make it!!! let’s support this team, folks…they have played unbelievable baseball fot the past couple of weeks, so let’s cheer them on!!! I STILL BELIEVE!!
RHR
September 30th, 2009
12:47 pm
The NL east is out of the question
*sigh*
If only we were chasing the mets…
BravesfaninWis
September 30th, 2009
12:48 pm
One series to determine the WC winner at the most.. There is no way in hell that the Phillies will go 1-4 in their next 5 games against the Brewers and Marlins.. They are the Division Champs in my eyes.. There is a chance that the Braves can go 4-0 in their final 5, but this team brought the entire fan base back down to reality last night.. I do feel good about tonight with Javy Vazquez on the mound, but we still have to pitch Derek Lowe against the Nats, and Lowe has been horrific lately.. As long as we don’t pitch Lowe, Hudson, or Kawakami in the next 4 games, we could be alright.. If it were up to me, it would be Vazquez, Hanson, and Jurrgens in the final 5 games, but I know that won’t happen.. So therefore, I think the Braves are going home after the final game of the season, and no playoffs..
BravesfaninWis
September 30th, 2009
12:49 pm
I meant 5-0 in their final 5, not 4-0
timthebrave
September 30th, 2009
12:49 pm
The Braves can still get a tie for the wildcard. I believe and will be cheering at the Ted tonight
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried
September 30th, 2009
12:49 pm
I think if can somehow be two games back…going into the final 4…we still have a shot.
BUt we need to win against Nolasco tonight…and the Brewers have to somehow beat Colorado.
The Rockies are going to be pummped up after that big win last night…
timthebrave
September 30th, 2009
12:51 pm
Even if they don’t they have been fun to watch. I enjoy the hustle and the fire they are playing with. Did you see Prado hustling down the line in the 9th. That is exciting baseball. Go Braves!
GT Brill
September 30th, 2009
12:53 pm
We have to run the table. If only we had brought up Tommy Hanson at the beginning of the year.
TheCircleH
September 30th, 2009
12:57 pm
Everyone is right. the Phillies will win the division. Probably tonight. Good news for Braves fans is that they will then set their sights on Home Field Advantage, where they trail the Dodgers by 1.5 . That’s good for the Braves because the Dodgers can’t let up, so Colorado losing all 3 isn’t that far a stretch.
Phinfan
September 30th, 2009
12:57 pm
Win tonight and go brewers
< Previous Day
2009 NL Standings
East W L PCT GB RS RA EXPW EXPL DIV WC POFF
Philadelphia 91 66 .580 - 795 684 93.8 68.2 99.9 <0.1 99.9
Atlanta 86 71 .548 5 722 620 89.0 73.0 0.1 7.4 7.5
Florida 84 74 .532 7.5 750 750 86.0 76.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Coolstandings @ 7.5 chance to get card
Sam
September 30th, 2009
1:01 pm
Just the fact that the Braves still have a chance at the division title is amazing considering where this team was just a couple months ago.
I don’t know about you guys but this playoff chase has really got me excited about October baseball for the first time in a couple years.
37YrBravesFan
September 30th, 2009
1:05 pm
Division, no. And I think that they will miss the Wild Card by one game…unfortunately.
GO BRAVES!!
Dan c
September 30th, 2009
1:13 pm
Enter your comments here I don’t think they can win the division. they can win out. Five games is possible. There playing the best ball in years. It isn’t over till it’s over.
CC in Denver
September 30th, 2009
1:15 pm
With their win the Rockies eliminated the Marlins from playoff contention and can do likewise to the Giants tonight with a win (or SF loss).
In playoff odds land, the Rockies’ playoff chances increased by 18% according to Sportsclubstats to 90.4%. At BP, the Rockies’ odds are now at 92.5%, with at 2.6% chance at the division. It’s amazing what one good day can do.
Scenarios for a WC tie:
COL ATL SF SF
0-5 89 wins 3-2 89 wins 5-0 89 wins
1-4 90 wins 4-1 90 wins
2-3 91 wins 5-0 91 wins
3-2 92 wins
4-1 93 wins
5-0 94 wins
Ray Pugh
September 30th, 2009
1:17 pm
Carroll,
If we ended the season tied w/ the Phillies for the divisional lead, there would be no tiebreaker as we have the better record against them head-to-head this year.
jeff
September 30th, 2009
1:22 pm
I think they’ll miss out the wild card by one or two games. Will be pulling for them. Hopefully something will happen and they’ll get in.
The one thing though is that even if they get it, they aren’t going to win a championship. Of all the national league teams in it, I don’t see any of them that are that dominating unless a bunch of players get hot. It wouldn’t be shocking if the Braves were able to win a round or two. In the end though, the national league playoffs are pretty much going to be to see who gets to lose to the eventual champs in the world series.
Believernot
September 30th, 2009
1:25 pm
Enter your comments here
Maybe next year. Too many chances gone by (how many men left on base last night, how many blown saves along the way, how many times swinging and grounding out on the first pitch from a struggling pitcher……..). The Braves are done and so am I.
Brian
September 30th, 2009
1:31 pm
Ray Pugh, that would be the case if the Braves and Phillies both had a better record than the Rockies. Because there is a third team involve, there would be a playoff. This would be the case whether they were tied with the Rockies, or if the Rockies were ahead of both teams. (In that case, obviously, there wouldn’t be a playoff game with Colorado, just between the Braves and Phillies).
paw paw
September 30th, 2009
1:37 pm
me and grandson dugout tickets tonight.. thanks nana chipper will carry braves tonight
(we hope) WE BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good Grief
September 30th, 2009
1:37 pm
At best we’d have to hope for a tie of the wild card. The loss last night and the Rockies win hurt. I don’t think the Braves have a chance if they dont win out – the braves need to win all 5 games to make it
bass stringerfish
September 30th, 2009
1:41 pm
Great call CircleH…my only fears to the equation was us actually winning 5 (hey Pittsburgh beat the Dodger who are trying to clinch 2 times in a row….) and after LA does clinch they’d play the second teamers and even then not that hard..but with that home field advantage on the line…WOW! that made me feel a lot better about how they will attack until the last day….Watching every game via MLB.com from Utah (snow last night by the way…) Go Braves!!!
brent a.
September 30th, 2009
1:41 pm
Tonight is the spring board for the rest of the week. Win tonight, and this team will be licking its chops as it approaches the week-end.
Win tonight and 5-0 is more than reasonable. Lose tonight, and they could be almost eliminated by midnight.
Go Braves!
john
September 30th, 2009
1:44 pm
I definitely think they can win out, but Colorado losing three is going to be a long shot, especially with the way the dodgers have been playing.
it's over
September 30th, 2009
1:45 pm
Who cares … it’s football season
Nostalgia
September 30th, 2009
1:47 pm
This reminds me of the battle with the Dodgers in ‘91! Those were awesome times and they used to give out the gigantic foam tomahawks!
Borg
September 30th, 2009
1:53 pm
It’s over Commander – the Braves are fleeing into the woods.
atlindenver
September 30th, 2009
1:59 pm
The Rockies have a three game lead in the WC race. If the Braves go 5-1 and the Rox go 3 and 3, the Rox will still be ahead by one. Someone needs to double check their math…
mexican-brave
September 30th, 2009
2:03 pm
atlindenver…there are just 5 games left on the season
Sg
September 30th, 2009
2:06 pm
All season I have not been able to get that Phillies game out of my head from the beginning of the season where we were up by 7 or 8 in the late innings and they came back. If we end up one game out of the wild card, that is the one that will haunt me.
That being said, we still have a pulse and we are still fighting. Let’s see what happens tonight and discuss tomorrow…
Pete
September 30th, 2009
2:11 pm
Enter your comments here
What scenario puts the Braves in ??
How about NONE ?
They have about as much a chance as Appalachain State winning the NCAA Football national championship.
This is still Atlanta………….right ??? LOL
Doug B
September 30th, 2009
2:14 pm
We will be watching the Braves all the way in Houston, TX and we….
BELIEVE!!!
Bob Horner
September 30th, 2009
2:26 pm
Chipper,
You are not a power hitter anymore, lay down a bunt and move Martin over to second.
Gibby
September 30th, 2009
2:28 pm
The Braves aren’t going anywhere but back home where they belong. Typical Bobby Cox team — close, but no cigar. LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL
Innocent Bystander
September 30th, 2009
2:31 pm
If the Rockies don’t lose tonight or tomorrow, I don’t think the Braves will be motivated enough to sweep the Nats. I don’t see LA sweeping them this weekend, unfortunately.
Pete
September 30th, 2009
2:33 pm
Michael, you call the Braves WC chances “good” being 3 games back with 5 left to play? That is quite a stretch, to say the least!
Coop
September 30th, 2009
2:33 pm
Gibby – Don’t be tool.
Gibby
September 30th, 2009
2:36 pm
The Atlanta Braves: For Those Who Are Satisfied With “Almost”
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Pete
September 30th, 2009
2:36 pm
atlindenver double check YOUR math there are only 5 games left so going 5-1 would be most difficult lol
McFly
September 30th, 2009
2:44 pm
Ray, Sorry, you’re WRONG. The tie w/Philly just decides the HOME team for the playoff game.
Buzz29
September 30th, 2009
2:44 pm
The best pitch that a hitter will see during an at-bat is on the 3-0 count. Why in the hail won’t they swing the dam bat! And don’t tell me it’s because they want them to make them throw a strike. 84% of the time the 3-0 pitch is a fastball belt high down the middle. Take a chance! I miss Greg Olson. GO Jackets!
GTSteve
September 30th, 2009
2:46 pm
Tell em Pete, hard to go 3-3 also
Redapple
September 30th, 2009
2:52 pm
Just Believe people!!!!
And please stop with the sarcastic comments, sounds like a bunch of 12 year olds.
Pete
September 30th, 2009
2:54 pm
GT I didnt want to pile on lol
Nativebird
September 30th, 2009
2:59 pm
…And Lucy (Braves) holds the ball for Charlie Brown )Braves fans) to once again try another field goal kick.
Vampirella
September 30th, 2009
3:01 pm
Braves “fans” get what they deserve: NOTHING.
wmatlanta
September 30th, 2009
3:04 pm
The Dodgers are still trying to beat the Phillies for best record in the NL and home field advantage until the World Series. So they will be trying very hard to beat the Rockies.
GT
September 30th, 2009
3:06 pm
The fact that the Braves are even in a discussion this late in the year is a small miracle. Seems like 1990 or one we had to win and San Diego had to lose or win for us to win a spot and it happened the last day. The town was on fire. I am always amazed at how none of that matters to the modern Brave fan. They are like the dizzy blonde that keeps chewing the gum and doing her nails during sex. There were people this year that would have gladly tossed a few games for a guess appearance by Tom Glavine and only if we had brought Hanson up a little sooner this might of been our year. I think part of the reason we left Hanson down was the uncertainty of what we had to do with Glavine. We may lose this thing by two games, two we could have gotten out of Hanson. Two we might have won if we were not distracted by Glavine. We have one more year with Cox who everybody in this blog wanted to toss a month ago, one more year to throw the bubblegum away, let the hair turn a natural color and count our blessing that we have seen a management that won’t past this way for a long long time.
oldmactech
September 30th, 2009
3:18 pm
Too bad it’s not the stinkin’ Mets instead of the Phils. We would be icin’ the champagne already.
jb
Nativebird
September 30th, 2009
3:22 pm
Braves? are the Braves still playing?
Steve
September 30th, 2009
3:36 pm
Last night was pretty crushing, but this can still happen. It won’t be easy but we can win our last five…the biggest question is whether MIL & LA can put together 3 wins again the Rockies.
WisePatH2Follow
September 30th, 2009
3:40 pm
I predict the Braves will come up 1 game short and they will only have themselves to blame for it. Ask anybody who was there or stayed up late enough to see the Aug. 21 game with the Marlins. Ask Joe Simpson, I’m sure he remembers it and the 2 comments he made. I stopped watching them after that.
Braves=Believe
September 30th, 2009
3:41 pm
todays lineup
Diaz .500 against Nolasco
Prado .500 against nolasco
C.Jones
McCann
LaRoche HAS KILLED nolasco
Escobar
Anderson
Infante
COX NEEDS TO PUT THE PLAYERS THAT ARE HITTING NOT MCOULTH
Braves=Believe
September 30th, 2009
3:43 pm
3-3 and is possible from the Rockies they still have to play the dodgers, and the Brewers pt up a fight. just HOPE dont give up. They really need us NOW
Braves=Believe
September 30th, 2009
3:44 pm
Ted made sme noise last night, Im thinking of flying down to atlanta to see there 1 game playoff vs the Rockies
ABravesFan
September 30th, 2009
3:46 pm
The Rockies haven’t been playing all that well but they have managed to win some close one like last night or with a phantom catch and double play on Sunday. I’m more sure that the Braves can win 5 straight than the Rockies drop 3 of the last 5. Hopefully the Dodgers will play well (and not rest their guys on the last game).
spence
September 30th, 2009
3:48 pm
Regarding last night’s game … where is Francisco Cabrera when you need him?
old fart
September 30th, 2009
3:56 pm
Enter your comments here
Let’s go for 90 wins … what a second half turn around … and come out smokin in 2010.
wareaglerob
September 30th, 2009
3:59 pm
Did yall see that pissweak swing Chipper took with Prado on first in the ninth? It reminded me of my Granny tryin to run the cat out of the house with a broom.
Mike McDonald
September 30th, 2009
4:08 pm
2009 will be a very disappointing season because of these poor performances: Chipper Jones, Bennett, Carlye, the little red-head guy who was finally traded, Norton, the entire outfield (except Diaz against lefties), first base (Kotchman and La Roach) and especially the manager and his staff.
Overall, pitching was more than we could have hoped for, but the total lacking of hitting, other than from McCann, Yunel, Prado, Infante and our capable back-up Ross, was absolutely miserable and totally unacceptable at the MLB level. The lineups selected over the season were plain dumb.
Chipper’s performance last night was all to typical of 2009. Now’s the time to trade him or let him retire if he means what he has said about not hanging around in mediocrity.
2010 may be successful if the Braves keep the pitching core and add at least five more big bats…three in the outfield, one at third and another at first.The departure of Hudson and Lowe would help fund some big timber with defense.
Speaking of money, as a long suffering tax payer, I am offended by the so-called charitable foundations of the likes of the Hudsons. Let’s call them what they are: the Hudson family tax shelter which gives them big tax advantages along with lots of free personal publicity under the phony guise of great self sacrifice. It’s hypocritical and it takes up innings of on-air bullsh*t interviewing.
gayle
September 30th, 2009
4:15 pm
When the Braves nation is rejoicing the fact that the opposing pitcher is projectile vomiting before the game, can this possibly be a playoff team? And all of this hangwringing over running the table to possibly squeak in – remember that the team the Braves are chasing are in the position they are in because their ownership had the courage to dump their manager.
Enjoy the tension and the tease that this team brings you as well as the excitement and promise for what is to come – but realize that this team will never move forward until that relic in the dugout is gone. Where was his genius just last month getting swept by the last place Reds at home? 2 out of 3 in that series and the Braves are printing playoff tickets right now.
And this “believe” mantra? Braves fans are the biggest bandwagon around. You can’t even fill half the stadium when the playoffs are on the line. You can’t sell out the stadium for the playoffs – those of you who can remember that far back.
2011 is the year when Bobby will be gone (presumably) and there will be new ownership – hopefully someone local who really cares about building a winning franchise.
Until then Braves fans – enjoy your college and pro football because it will be the only sports taking place in Alanta in October.
coach smith
September 30th, 2009
4:21 pm
The Braves win the Next 2 nights and the Rockies lose the next 2
MARK IT DOWN we go into that weekend series 1 game back!!!!!!
Dumbfound
September 30th, 2009
4:21 pm
Baseball is a humbling thing. The rockies may think they are unbeatable but, this game can bring back down in a eyelash ! I would’t be surprised if they lose the next 3. We shall see.
Marc in FL
September 30th, 2009
4:21 pm
Mike McDonald reminds me of one of those fat kids that are mean to everyone else to make himself feel better.
Dumbfound
September 30th, 2009
4:23 pm
Can bring you back down in a eyelash. Sorry.
Joe With Shoes On
September 30th, 2009
4:26 pm
Here’s another possibility: Rockies win all their games, win the West, and the Braves take the Wild Card.
gayle
September 30th, 2009
4:27 pm
Win out? A team that was swept by the last-place Reds at home when it meant something? Please!
When the Braves nation is rejoicing the fact that the opposing pitcher is projectile vomiting before the game, can this possibly be a playoff team? And all of this hangwringing over running the table to possibly squeak in – remember that the team the Braves are chasing are in the position they are in because their ownership had the courage to dump their manager.
Enjoy the tension and the tease that this team brings you as well as the excitement and promise for what is to come – but realize that this team will never move forward until that relic in the dugout is gone. Where was his genius just last month going 1-5 against last place teams? Consistency through the year and Braves are printing playoff tickets right now.
And this “believe” mantra? Braves fans are the biggest bandwagon around. You can’t even fill half the stadium when the playoffs are on the line. You can’t sell out the stadium for the playoffs – those of you who can remember that far back. BTW, there were over 10,000 more fans at Coor’s field last night to see the Rockies win.
2011 is the year when Bobby will be gone (presumably) and there will be new ownership – hopefully someone local who really cares about building a winning franchise.
Until then Braves fans – enjoy your college and pro football because it will be the only sports taking place in Alanta in October.
bobby
September 30th, 2009
4:36 pm
As much as I have bashed Bobby, you can’t blame last night on him. To win you have to hit sometimes, especially in the clutch. Still without the ____poor managing job all year, it wouldn’t have come down to having to win out to make the playoffs.
Scoots
September 30th, 2009
4:40 pm
Tonight’s the most important game. I think the Braves should and probably will sweep the Gnats, but the fish always play us tough.
I think there’s a realistic shot at winning out, but the better question is whether the Rox will lose 3 out of 5. That seems less likely than the Braves winning out – we need a lot of help from Milwaukee and especially L.A.
Last night was a huge blow to ‘The Miracle’ but we’re still hanging on by a thread. Go Braves!
BobStevens
September 30th, 2009
4:48 pm
Its true that the Braves will need a miracle to get into the playoffs now. Last nights loss was the final backbreaker. Unfortunately its almost impossible now for the Braves to get into the post season. It could still happen, but then we could see pigs fly at night. Stick a fork in it; the seasons over and theres plenty of blame to go around from Cox to the players to the management, etc. Its a heartbreaking season that is on the cusp of ending. I do believe that if the Braves had been fortunate to get into the tournament; they would have won the world series. The Braves will probably get eliminated from post season competition with another Braves loss tonight. Thanks for a wonderful season but the fat lady is warming up.
Stcole
September 30th, 2009
5:22 pm
Although it is a moot point, I do not think Carroll Rogers is correct in his analysis. My understanding of MLB’s playoff system considers the “pre-Postseason” playoff game as part of the Regular Season. Thus in a three way tie with two teams in one division, when one of those teams loses it has a lower winning percentage than the out of division team and therefore is no longer tied for the Wildcard. The team outside of the division would win the Wildcard by default. If anyone is absolutely sure either way, please state so in this blog. Thank you
Scott
September 30th, 2009
5:30 pm
I think you mean that you don’t think Carrol Rogers is correct in her analysis.
Scott
September 30th, 2009
5:31 pm
Enter your comments here
Stcole
September 30th, 2009
5:36 pm
Scott: while I have no idea if Carroll (2 “L”s according to the first line of this article) is male or female, I am pretty sure that “do not” (as I typed) and “don’t” (as you typed) mean the same thing.
Bull butter
September 30th, 2009
6:00 pm
Chipper swings and hits a ground ball dobble play season over.
Mike Sauerhouse
September 30th, 2009
10:30 pm
Believe?
In Chipper?
Again?
Doh!
You’re kidding right?
Kevin
October 10th, 2009
4:47 pm
How amuzin that AJC leaves Toilrt paper bogs of a braves team that is home watchin rockies n phillies n dodgers an st.louis soon be dodgers after sweep tonight…..lurussa Must takin a page from Bobby cox on how not to managed a team!