The Atlanta Braves have not won a playoff series since 2001, but the National League East champions believe they are the team to break that streak entering Game 1 of the NL Division Series at home Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Braves won 97 games and a second-consecutive division crown, but there is concern around two key pieces of an offense that finished the regular season third in the NL in runs scored, and fourth in batting average and homers.

The Washington Nationals were fortunate to win the National League Wild Card Game and their reward is a meeting with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series. Game 1 of the best-of-five set is Thursday at Dodger Stadium with Washington scoring a 4-3 comeback victory over Milwaukee on Tuesday when rookie right fielder Trent Grisham misplayed Juan Soto's bases-loaded single in the eighth inning, allowing the go-ahead run to score.