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MLB standings: Who is leading NL East, what this week means for Braves, Phillies, Mets in playoff picture

The NL East race is tight heading into the final two weeks of the season. We break down the standings and schedule in the penultimate week of the season.

By David Fucillo Updated
Atlanta Braves Left Fielder Abraham Almonte (34) and Atlanta Braves Center Fielder Guillermo Heredia (38) and Atlanta Braves Right Fielder Joc Pederson (22) celebrate the victory after the ninth inning of a Major League Baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies on July 24, 2021, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Mets head into the final two weeks of the 2021 MLB season potentially in a race for a single playoff spot. The Braves lead the NL East by two over the Phillies and 5.5 over the Braves. The Phillies are presently three out of the second wild card berth while the Braves are seven back. More than likely, only one of these teams is going to the playoffs this year.

The real deciding factor will be the final week as the Braves close out the season with three games against the Phillies and then three games against the Mets. With a two game lead heading into their final 13 games, those final six games could give Atlanta some measure of control over its playoff destiny (not that destiny can be controlled!)

Here’s how the standings currently look along with the two opponents each team will face this week.

Wednesday, Sep 22 — The Braves beat the Diamondbacks 9-2, while the Phillies knocked off the Orioles 4-3, but the Red Sox beat the Mets 12-5.

Tuesday, Sep 21 — The Braves and Phillies both won while the Mets lost. New York drops to seven games back in the division.

Monday, Sep 20 — The Braves beat the Diamondbacks 11-4 while the Phillies lost to the Orioles 2-0. That drops Philly three games back. The Mets were idle so they are now a full six games back of Atlanta.

Atlanta Braves, 80-70, —

@ Arizona Diamondbacks — Mon-Thu (ATL is 1-2 vs. ARI)

  • Mon: Braves 11, Diamondbacks 4
  • Tue: Braves 6, Diamondbacks 1
  • Wed: Braves 9, Diamondbacks 2
  • Thu: Charlie Morton vs. Madison Bumgarner

@ San Diego Padres — Fri-Sun (ATL is 1-1 vs. SD)

  • Fri: Max Fried vs. Yu Darvish
  • Sat: Huascar Ynoa vs. Jake Arrieta
  • Sun: TBD vs. Joe Musgrove

Philadelphia Phillies, 78-74, 3 games back

vs. Baltimore Orioles — Mon-Wed (Only series this year)

  • Orioles 2, Phillies 0
  • Tue: Phillies 3, Orioles 2 (F/10)
  • Wed: Phillies 4, Orioles 3

vs. Pittsburgh Pirates — Thu-Sun (PHI is 1-2 vs. PIT)

  • Thu: Bryse Wilson vs. Aaron Nola
  • Fri: Kyle Gibson vs. TBD
  • Sat: Ranger Suarez vs. Dillon Peters
  • Sun: TBD vs. Mitch Keller

New York Mets, 73-79, 8 games back

@ Boston Red Sox — Tue-Wed (NYM is 0-2 vs. BOS)

  • Tue: Red Sox 6, Mets 3
  • Wed: Red Sox 12, Mets 5

@ Milwaukee Brewers — Fri-Sun (NYM is 2-1 vs. MIL)

  • Fri: Taijuan Walker vs. Corbin Burnes
  • Sat: Carlos Carrasco vs. Eric Lauer
  • Sun: Rich Hill vs. Freddy Peralta

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