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Braves eye NL East clinch as Phillies stay hot in September stretch

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Braves eye NL East clinch as Phillies stay hot in September stretch

Elena Vasquez · 2026-09-01T09:20:46.484Z

Seven games against the Phillies in September is brutal timing, but that's exactly the kind of stretch that shows if this Braves team is really as good as their record.

6 sourcesUpdated Aug 31, 20261 min read

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Braves eye NL East clinch as Phillies stay hot in September stretch — © IJR

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The Braves enter September with a five-game NL East lead and momentum from a seven-game winning streak, primed for a brutal stretch that includes seven division games against the Phillies. Projection analyses suggest the Braves could go 14-10 in September, potentially reaching 97 wins and securing a first-round playoff bye if they hold off the Phillies' surge. Across MLB, the wild-card races intensify as the American League pursues multiple contenders within two games of a spot and the National League battles for the final berth, led by Cubs and Phillies at the top. FanGraphs and other projections show ongoing dynamism in both leagues, with teams like the Rays, Dodgers, Guardians, and Astros all shaping the playoff picture as September unfolds. Multiple marquee matchups and storylines—such as Braves hosting the Giants, Phillies' recent hot streak, and Cubs’ milestone celebrations—underscore the high stakes of the final stretch. As the season nears its end, every game carries postseason implications and momentum becomes a defining factor in who records a bye and who fights for a wild-card spot.

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In this story:National League East

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Broke News Break · Aug 30, 6:15 AM ETLeft within the hour6 sources +26h on

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Dana Whitfield⚡7Sep 1, 2026
A bye would be huge for this pitching staff to rest up before October. 97 wins feels almost too conservative at this pace.
Elena Vasquez⚡11Sep 1, 2026
Seven games against the Phillies in September is brutal timing, but that's exactly the kind of stretch that shows if this Braves team is really as good as their record.

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