Braves return to postseason focused on NL East ‘marathon’

Travis d’Arnaud focused on the Atlanta Braves’ pursuit of the New York Mets after their postseason place was confirmed for a fifth straight year on Tuesday. The defending World Series champions defeated the Washington Nationals 3-2 at Truist Park, with their playoff spot clinched shortly afterwards as the Mets rallied to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-5.

It was not necessarily the outcome the Braves wanted, however, as a victory for the Brewers would have seen Atlanta pull level with the Mets atop the NL East. As it is, the Braves are one game back, but d’Arnaud warned their rivals they have plenty still left in the tank. “It’s a marathon, it’s not over,” he said. “So we’ll just keep going after it until the end.”

All-Star catcher d’Arnaud had extended his career-high home run total to 18, while William Contreras, his backup, has 19. They are just the fourth catching duo in NL or AL history to each hit at least 18 homers in a season with at least two-thirds of their games played at catcher. And Arnaud was effusive in his praise of Contreras, adding: “It’s been so much fun. The energy he brings every day honestly inspires me and makes me feel young. So I don’t know if I’d be having as good of a year if he wasn’t here.”

Back in action on Wednesday

The Braves face the Nationals again on Wednesday, looking for a clean sweep as the Mets do likewise against the Brewers.