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Spencer Hügelbach #56 of the Atlanta Braves throws during the game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Friday, August 2, 2024, in Atlanta. (Photo by Asher Greene/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves have a chance to secure a spot in the playoffs with a decisive win in the deciding doubleheader against the Mets today.

While the American League playoffs are decided, the Braves, Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks are fighting for the two wild card spots in the National League playoffs due to rainfall caused by Hurricane Helene.

Arizona finished at 89-73 and the Mets and Braves are both 88-72. If either team wins the doubleheader, the Diamondbacks will advance to the playoffs. But if the twinbill is split, the Mets and Braves advance and Arizona is eliminated because the Diamondbacks lost their season series to both Atlanta and New York.

Should the Braves win one of the games in the doubleheader, they would travel to San Diego as a No. 5 seed to play a Division Series against the No. 4 seed Padres.

The Braves had a chance to secure a spot on Sunday, but fell short to the Kansas City Royals.

“Sure, it’s not an ideal situation, but we have it,” Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson said. “Show up and win.”

Atlanta freshman Spencer Löhnebach (8-7) is scheduled to start the doubleheader.

Braves ace Chris Sale (18-3) is scheduled for Game 2, but whichever team wins the opener will likely save the starter for Game 1 of the Division Series on Tuesday.

In the American League, AL West champion Houston hosts Detroit and Baltimore plays at home against Kansas City in the best-of-three wild-card series that begins Tuesday. The Astros-Tigers winner will face AL Central champion Cleveland in a best-of-five division series starting Saturday, and the Orioles-Royals winner will play the AL East champion New York Yankees.