The Braves are back in the postseason!

Well, well, well, for the first time since 2010 the Atlanta Braves are back in the postseason and I for one am glad to see it. With more than a week remaining in the regular season, the Atlanta Braves clinched at least a National League wild card berth last night.

The way that it happened was monumental. It was the bottom of the ninth inning and first baseman Freddie Freeman hit a two-run homer to give the Braves a 4-3 win over the Miami Marlins.

As of today, four National League playoff spots have been secured. In addition to the hometown Braves, the Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds, and San Francisco Giants are all in.

For Braves’ fans, the guarantee of the playoffs was a sigh relief, especially considering the total collapse of the team last year when the Bravos blew an 8 ½ game lead with four weeks left in the season. I still have a sour taste in my mouth from that.

But I’m optimistic about this postseason for the simple fact that it’s Chipper Jones’ last year so what better way for him to go out than with a World Series title, right? It may be a little far-fetched but it is possible, especially if the Braves can remain healthy.  

The postseason will be the perfect opportunity for Fredi Gonzalez to redeem himself. I don’t think he is a bad manager, but following in the footsteps of Bobby Cox is a difficult task. I can’t wait to see who the Braves play first in the playoffs.

After the Marlins’ series concludes Thursday, the Braves have two three-game series against the New York Mets and the Pittsburg Pirates. This should give the Braves ample time to rest some of their players and hit the ground running in October.

Go Chipper, and go Braves!