.David Schoenfield, ESPN Senior WriterSep 29, 2024, 07:00 AM ETCloseCovers MLB for ESPN.com.Former replacement editor of Page 2.Been actually with ESPN.com since 1995Travis d'Arnaud hit the biggest home of the period for the Atlanta Braves. Supporters of the New York Mets are in a state of panic. Paul Skenes delivered pair of even more scoreless innings to cap off his magnificent newbie season with a 1.96 TIME. Sunday remains in the books. Our experts have one full time of the normal season left-- plus the Braves-Mets double feature Monday.Here's what to watch, beginning with the National League wild-card nationality, where the Braves currently possess a one-game lead over the Mets and also Arizona Diamondbacks as the 3 teams battle for pair of spots.New York Mets at Milwaukee BrewersThe Makers locked out the Mets 6-0 on Saturday, handing the Mets their 1st three-game losing streak considering that Aug. 11. When the Braves beat the Royals 2-1 later on, it dropped the Mets responsible for the Braves in the status for the very first time given that Sept. 4. The Mets will start David Peterson on Sunday. The lefty has actually enabled five runs in 2 of his past three starts, although he has commonly been effective due to the fact that July, along with a 2.90 time over his previous 15 beginnings. The Brewers are locked right into the third seed and also is going to certainly rest all their best killers as they prepare for Tuesday's wild-card collection. Colin Rea gets the start for Milwaukee, yet count on a heavy bullpen game with the additional reducers getting the action.The Mets used their leading three beginners within this set: Sean Manaea on Friday, Jose Quintana on Saturday and right now Peterson. That means Luis Severino and also Tylor Megill are the most likely starters for Monday's double feature. The Braves carry out possess a righty-heavy schedule and also possess an OPS almost 70 points higher against lefties, so at least the Mets will definitely have their 2 right-handed starters going Monday.Kansas City Royals at Atlanta BravesThe Braves beat the Royals on d'Arnaud's walk-off crowning achievement. Reynaldo Lopez returned coming from the damaged listing to create his 1st beginning for Atlanta ga considering that Sept. 10 as well as allowed just 2 favorites as well as one run in six innings. The 2024 All-Star finishes the period with a 2.00 ERA in 25 begins (although he really did not toss enough innings to get the ERA label). The Braves' gamble to resist on beginning probable Cy Youthful champion Chris Sale until definitely needed to have has settled. Purchase can possess begun Friday, yet the Braves have actually claimed they were heading to keep him back until encountering prospective removal. Along with a one-game top in the wild-card race, the earliest that currently could come would certainly be actually the second activity of the double feature versus the Mets. The best-case situation, certainly, is actually that they confirm prior to making use of Purchase and also possessing him ready for Video game 1 of the wild-card series.As of Sunday evening, manager Brian Snitker pointed out the group had not selected a Sunday starter. Charlie Morton would be actually the starter with the absolute most rest, but the Braves could desire to conserve him for the Mets. That could leave behind Give Holmes to face a sagging Kansas Area offense.Remember at the same time: The Braves lead the season collection 6-5 over the Mets, meaning the sudden death in between the two staffs is actually still up for grabs.San Diego Padres at Arizona DiamondbacksThe Padres blanked the Diamondbacks 5-0 on Sunday-- the second shutout in four games for the energetic Arizona strike and also their 5th reduction in six video games as a wild-card spot that looked pretty risk-free a full week back is suddenly at risk. Without a doubt, the trick to keep in mind listed here is actually the Diamondbacks shed the tiebreaker to both the Mets and Braves.Sunday currently seems like a must-win for Arizona. If they shed once more, one gain due to the Mets on Sunday or even in Monday's double feature would get rid of the Diamondbacks.With Zac Gallen level to begin the wild-card opener after pitching Wednesday, Brandon Pfaadt will certainly start Sunday against Martin Perez. Pfaadt has actually been all over the area recently, obtaining knocked senseless in the third inning of his final start as well as in the 2nd inning 2 starts back, but sandwiched around a 12-strikeout game.American Game crazy cardLots of this particular was resolved Friday evening: First, before an energetic crowd of 44,435 fans at Comerica Park, the Tigers beat the White Sox 4-1 to succeed their sixth upright game and clinch their 1st playoff area since 2014. They had actually been actually tied with the Angels for the lengthiest energetic playoff drought in the majors.The Royals way backed in to their first postseason because 2015 when the Doubles lost.The Orioles secured the fourth seed in beating Minnesota. The Tigers are actually one game up on the Royals for the fifth seed, however the Royals keep the tiebreaker in the event they completed with the exact same document. The fifth seed is going to dip into Baltimore while the sixth seed will play at Houston in the wild-card set (the much higher seed gets all home video games). The bright side for the both the Tigers as well as Royals is they can spare Tarik Skubal as well as Cole Ragans for the very first games of the wild-card set, as opposed to having to begin all of them Sunday.Battles advantageous document and also leading seedThe Dodgers clinched both the front runner in the NL as well as the top seed overall (the fourth time in eight time the Dodgers finished with MLB's greatest document). That leaves behind the Phillies as the No. 2 seed in the NL.Despite a 9-4 reduction to the Pirates as Luis Gil dished out 4 crowning achievement, the Yankees clinched the front runner in the AL when the Guardians lost, bring in Cleveland the No. 2 seed.The No. 5 and No. 6 seeds in each games continue to be unsettled. The Tigers possess a one-game lead over the Royals in the AL, however the Royals have the tiebreaker if they finish with the same record.The Shohei Ohtani watch ... continuesThe guy is actually not decelerating. You assumed we were made with Ohtani landmarks after he cleared 50/50? No chance. He went 2-for-5 along with his 58th swiped foundation in Saturday's blowout sway Colorado-- his 35th successive taken foundation without acquiring recorded. Getting back to his 6-for-6 game, he is actually an awesome 26-for-39, a. 667 average.What can he do if he participates in Sunday? He's at 99 extra-base hits the final players to hit 100 did it in 2001. As Well As the Three-way Dental crown remains in play. Ohtani raised his standard to.310. Game innovator Luis Arraez didn't play Sunday, thus remains at.314. It will definitely interest find if Arraez rests once again on his.314 standard and forces Ohtani to possess a wedding day to capture him.If Ohtani goes 4-for-5, he would certainly be actually reaching.31397. Arraez is currently at.31388. Various other analytical competitions at playCan Aaron Judge get to 60 home runs? Court was back in the lineup Saturday after a day off, however went 0-for-5 with five strikeouts. That lost his slugging percent to.701 as he attempts to come to be the 1st player to pound.700 given that Barry Connections in 2004. The final gamer to accomplish therefore beyond the 1994 to 2004 window was actually Ted Williams in 1957. Ohtani already passed 400 overall manners, the very first time that was done since 2001. Judge goes to 392 so will likely require a two-homer finale to get there.Bobby Witt Jr. now resembles a padlock for the AL batting label. He has actually stored the top all summer season, as well as when he peaked along with a. 352 average on Aug. 16, he kept a relaxed 19-point lead over Court (and also thirty three factors over Vladimir Guerrero Jr.). After resting Saturday, Witt stayed at.332, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 0-for-4 to be up to.324 while Judge went down to.322 (which also removes his opportunity of a Triple Dental Crown). Jose Ramirez hit his 39th crowning achievement Sunday, thus needs to have another to sign up with the exclusive 40/40 nightclub, which has merely 6 members: Ohtani, Ronald Acuna Jr. (2023 ), Alfonso Soriano (2006 ), Alex Rodriguez (1998 ), Barry Bonds (1996) and Jose Canseco (1998 ). Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals has 49 conserves 50 saves has been actually attained 17 opportunities, the last by Edwin Diaz in 2018. Mentioning goodbyeJoey Votto, who didn't play in the majors this season after authorizing a minor league agreement along with the Blue Jays, declared his retired life a few full weeks back, and his following cease will become receiving a Hall of Popularity oral plaque buildup in Cooperstown. 2 long time outfielders possess likewise officially announced their retirement lives at the end of the period: Los Angeles Dodgers CF Kevin Kiermaier: It's unclear whether Kiermaier will definitely create the Dodgers' playoff roster as a backup outfielder (he has hit.164 with the Dodgers as well as has actually started simply two video games in September), therefore this may be it for among the most ideal defensive facility fielders of perpetuity. Yes, perpetuity. Kiermaier has gained 4 Gold Gloves, displaying extraordinary sidewise variety during the course of his prime time along with the Tampa bay Gulf Rays. His 38 protective runs spared in 2015 is the greatest single-season total for a center fielder given that DRS started in 2003, and also his occupation overall of 173 is actually the best for any type of outfielder considering that 2003 (and also 3rd most at any sort of opening, behind simply Andrelton Simmons as well as Adrian Beltre). Kiermaier's protective superiority is shown in his career battle of 36.1. Tolerable for a 31st-round choice from Park Neighborhood College.Colorado Rockies DH/OF Charlie Blackmon: Blackmon has actually spent his entire 14-year career with the Mountain ranges. It took him a while to acquire positioned in the big times-- his first full season really did not happen up until he was 27 years old-- but he happened to end up being a four-time All-Star and also completed fifth in the 2017 NL MVP ballot after leading the game in hitting average (.331 ), smash hits (213) and also operates (137 ). His power decreased after that 2016 to 2019 optimal, however he is among one of the most well-liked players in Mountain ranges past and also will definitely completed with more than 1,800 smash hits in the majors.There could be a few various other experts playing their final games who simply haven't but revealed their retirement lives. Matt Carpenter comes to mind here. Kyle Hendricks wants to pitch in 2025, however he heads into free of charge agency, and also his beginning Sunday at Wrigley Industry are going to likely be his final one after 11 times along with the Chicago Cubs. Permit's hope Andrew McCutchen goes back to the Pittsburgh Pirates for an additional period after he installed sound numbers in 2024. If these individuals don't return-- thanks for the memorable jobs.