Before starting their three-game set with the San Diego Padres, the Atlanta Braves had Thursday off. The Braves were certainly tuned in, however, as the Washington Nationals topped the St. Louis Cardinals 8-1, which had ramifications in both the National League Wild Card and East races.
The Braves fell to 5.5 games back of the Nationals in the NL East chase, but continue to hold the top spot in the Wild Card race in the National League, as the Cardinals fell to 3 games back of the Braves in the still playoff-bound second spot. The Pirates are 3.5 games back of the Braves, on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.
Here is the picture in the National League East:
And for the NL Wild Card:
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