The Atlanta Braves were the first National League team to secure a postseason berth this year, clinching the NL Central with a win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sept. 22. However, they it wasn’t until Monday that they knew the identity of their opponent.
With the Dodgers winning the NL West by defeating the Colorado Rockies in Game 163, it officially locked in an NL Division Series matchup with the Braves. What the Braves did know is they would begin the postseason on the road, regardless of who won the NL West.
On the verge of traveling to Los Angeles, the Braves aren’t certain if shortstop Dansby Swanson will be on their NLDS roster, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com:
The Braves haven’t ruled out the possibility that Dansby Swanson could suddenly become healthy enough to be placed on the National League Division Series roster. But when pressed about the shortstop’s availability, manager Brian Snitker certainly did not seem optimistic.
“There’s a chance, I don’t know how great of one really,” Snitker said. “We’re just going to keep working on him and see.”
Swanson remains on the mend from a torn ligament in his left hand. He suffered the injury during the final week of the regular season, though there was initial optimism a few days of rest and recovery would lead to Swanson being available for the NLDS.
If he is to be left off the roster, the Braves presumably would turn to former Dodgers shortstop Charlie Culberson. He memorably clinched the NL West with a walk-off home run in Vin Scully’s final game at Dodger Stadium.
Culberson also filled in admirably during the 2017 NL Championship Series, which Corey Seager was inactive for because of a balky back.
