Countdown: Braves’ magic number at 1

The Braves clinch their fourth straight division crown with a win over Phillies Thursday night at Truist Park.

Atlanta shaved the magic number to one game with a 7-2 win over Philadelphia behind by a stellar performance by Max Fried, who held the Phillies to two runs (one earned) on four hits over seven innings. He struck out six and didn’t walk a hitter.

If the Phillies spoil the Braves’ bid to clinch Thursday, the race extends into the weekend. (The magic number will decrease with each Braves win or Phillies loss.) Should the Braves win the division title, they would be the No. 3 seed and open the playoffs against the Brewers, who have clinched a playoff spot, have a significant lead the NL Central over the Cardinals and would be the No. 2 seed. The Giants and Dodgers have clinched playoff spots from the NL West, with one being the division winner and the other the first wild card. Just one wild-card spot remains in the NL with the Cardinals currently holding the spot. The Reds, Phillies and Padres remain in contention for the final spot.