Going For The Jugular...

[clvclv]

12 games with the Nats and Phillies between now and the 18th. This team couldn't possibly have picked a better time to be playing like this - take 2 of 3 in each of those series, and this "race" can be over in mid-August.

[weso1]

Even if we just go .500 against them the race may be over. But it would be awesome if we do more than that.

[zitothebrave]

Would be great to take 8 of thme .But I won't hold my hopes up.

[thethe]

Phillies don't matter. They are done. Just split the games with the Nats for the rest of the year or go 1 under and the division is ours.

[mfree80]

Win 8 of 12 and it is over. Win 6 of 12, keeping them from making up any ground and it almost accomplishes the same thing.

In order to catch up, they would have to dominate and win most or all.

[clvclv]

1-0.

[50PoundHead]

During the streak, the Braves always seemed to go on a stretch that salted things away and I'm hoping we are on that stretch. We're playing good baseball.

[weso1]

Even if the team does put themselves in position to win the division easily they can't rest on their laurels. Really need to try and get the best record in baseball so you don't have to face the Dodgers in the first round. It would be much better to get the wild card game winner.

[tvsportscaster]

Even if the team does put themselves in position to win the division easily they can't rest on their laurels. Really need to try and get the best record in baseball so you don't have to face the Dodgers in the first round. It would be much better to get the wild card game winner.

Yeah, getting the best record in baseball is the incentive here. Not necessarily to avoid the Dodgers in the first round, but to play at home because they are just so dominant at Turner Field.

[thethe]

Eh, rather not play the Dodgers in the first round either. They are going to be tough in the postseason.

[stpeteirish]

we're going to see some quality pitching in the next few days. And Lannan today is not necessarily in that category but he 's given us fits over the years.

Stasberg, OTOH, has been someone we've hit pretty well.

[NinersSBChamps]

If the team collapses again, we can all look at this thread as a reason why.

[NYCBrave]

I know we don't want to play the Dodgers, and I don't want to either, but do we really want to play the wild card game winner either? Usually that's a team that's coming in very hot and won't be easy to put away. In my opinion, the best case scenario would to have the 2nd best record and somehow play Pittsburgh in the first round.

[NinersSBChamps]

All I am concerned with is that we make the post season and play in an actual playoff series this time around.

[CyYoung31]

If the team collapses again, we can all look at this thread as a reason why.

lol

This thread isn't jinx worthy at all.

[bravebonebook]

All I am concerned with is that we make the post season and play in an actual playoff series this time around.

Agreed 100%!! One game playoff "series" are just another example of the crap MLB has thrown up. Whether we win or lose at least we'll have up to 7 games to do it.

[parkvadawg]

All I am concerned with is that we make the post season and play in an actual playoff series this time around.

Yep this is why I embrace our division's craptitude

[Lville21]

Nats are lining up their best against the Braves -- Strasburg, Gonzalez, and Zimmerman this week.

[CyYoung31]

Agreed 100%!! One game playoff "series" are just another example of the crap MLB has thrown up. Whether we win or lose at least we'll have up to 7 games to do it.

You mean 5.

[Heyward]

Nats are lining up their best against the Braves -- Strasburg, Gonzalez, and Zimmerman this week.

Not necessarily, with two off days this week, it just goes in order like that.

Without two off days, we probably avoid one of them.

[Heyward]

All I am concerned with is that we make the post season and play in an actual playoff series this time around.

This times a billion.

[clvclv]

2-0.

[chopdrew]

Snap necks & cash checks....