For the first time since 2005 the Atlanta Braves have clinched the NL East division title.
The Braves found out that they had clinched in the sixth inning of a game at Wrigley field against the Cubs, when the Nationals lost to the Marlins 4-2 on Sunday afternoon. All the Braves needed to clinch going into Sunday was a win or just one Nationals loss, which is what they got.
According to MLB.com the Braves have held the division lead since their fifth game of the season on April 5. Atlanta has been on top of the division for a league-high 175 days. They have also held a lead of at least eight games going back to July 24.
Even after clinching, the Braves still have a reason to go out and play hard to get wins in the last week of the season. CBS Sports reports that Atlanta came into Sunday with a half-game lead over the Cardinals for the best record in the NL. If they hold this lead over St. Louis, they will have home team advantage throughout the NL portion of the playoffs.
Sitting as division champs, the Braves will wait patiently to see who will be facing them in the NL Division Series.