Predictable result, although the path they took to get it was not expected. As soon as Chipper hobbled all the way to second base I knew the game was over, it was just a question of how the Marlins would gack up the lead.

And the Nationals found another way to lose so their lead over the Braves continues to shrink. Magic number remaining at 5 seems not so magic right now, except that it's elusive and just out of reach.

Poor outing for Kimbrel tonight. He allowed a hit and struck out just one batter!

I think that was the 22nd consecutive Medlen start that they won, which ties the record held by Carl Hubbell/the Giants and Whitey Ford/the Yankees.

Magic number of five with 8 to go. Nats ought to be able to hold it but if I recall correctly, the Braves were in a similar situation last year. Huh.

Braves and Red Sox redeem themsel.....oh wait, nevermind. Not a Braves fan, but good on them, for you know, actually not repeating the mistakes of last year, moving on and becoming a playoff team once again.

Medlen has been incredible this year, but that wasn't the case when the Braves went 13-1 in his starts in 2010. In those 11 straight wins before he was shut down in '10, his ERA was 4.12 for those starts and the Braves scored six runs a start for him--which they are also doing this year.

Pitching to the score Don, pitching to the score. The kid's got Hall of Fame written all over him.

Walt - Glad to see you're keeping a sense of humor. It now looks like the Cardinals, who surely have sold their souls to somebody, are going to make it into the playoffs as the first ever NL "second wild card" team, and will have Chris Carpenter available just in time for the postseason. As if they didn't get lucky enough last year. Meanwhile, the Cubs can't ever get a break any year. I've lived my entire life in STL, but I'm beginning to think that I should root for the Cubs, just because they deserve it. - Brock Hanke

Dammit people, the play-in game is not the playoffs! They have clinched jack and #### and jack just left town.

Braves and Red Sox redeem themsel.....oh wait, nevermind. Not a Braves fan, but good on them, for you know, actually not repeating the mistakes of last year, moving on and becoming a playoff team once again.

Yeah, it's nice to see the Braves bounce back. I like Fredi simply for the way he handled Hanley many years ago and always felt he got badly screwed down there. Good for him.

Dammit people, the play-in game is not the playoffs! They have clinched jack and #### and jack just left town.

For that matter, neither is the NLDS! or games 1, 3, and 4 of the LCS! and the 6th inning of game 2 of the world series!

For the Braves, if they get the Cardinals for the Play in game, it could be a way of getting revenge for last year. Exorcising those demons.

It's not my impression that anyone associated with the Braves harbors ill will towards the Cardinals for last year's fiasco. All the Braves had to do was not be completely awful, and they blew it. Last year was on them.

No, last year is not why the braves hold ill will towards the cardinals. There are many other reasons.

No, last year is not why the braves hold ill will towards the cardinals. There are many other reasons.

Looking across the aisle and seeing a team that can actually win in the post season? :)

Is Kris Medlen the best pitcher ever or something? I've seen the highlights from just one game and he looked like Greg Maddux.

Hmm. I don't particularly want to see the Braves in round 1 of the playoffs.

Man, I never thought the Cubs would be so bad I'd be pitied by Cardinals fans.

Just you wait Brock! Theo's gonna get this ship turned around and then we'll be right there with you competing for that #5 slot and 87 wins!

Sometime around 2021 I figure.