Resilient Braves bounce back to clinch playoff berth in Game 162

ATLANTA -- The Braves could have easily been a bust during a season that began with thoughts of “World Series or bust.” But at no point did they give in, so maybe it shouldn’t have been surprising to see this injury-depleted and resilient bunch bounce back one more time to send them to the postseason with a Game 162 win.

There was reason for the Braves to celebrate after they claimed a 3-0 win over the Mets in the second game of Monday’s doubleheader at Truist Park. After blowing a lead in both of the final two innings of a crushing 8-7 loss in the first game, they learned top Cy Young Award candidate Chris Sale had been scratched from the nightcap because of back spasms.

But thanks to a barely prepared Grant Holmes’ efficient spot start and 2021 postseason hero Jorge Soler’s two doubles, the Braves got the one win they needed to secure a matchup against the Padres in the National League Wild Card Series that begins Tuesday at 8:38 p.m. ET on ESPN. The entirety of the best-of-three series will be played at Petco Park.

Monday’s clinch added yet another thrill to a season filled with significant injuries. Cy Young Award candidate Spencer Strider made just one healthy start and Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a season-ending knee injury near the end of May. Six of the 10 members of Atlanta’s Opening Day lineup (starting pitcher included) missed at least two months due to injury this year.

But there was no quit in this team that entered the regular season’s final week two games behind both the Mets and D-backs in the battle for the National League’s final Wild Card spots. Atlanta maintained its momentum around the two rainouts on Wednesday and Thursday that forced Monday’s doubleheader, winning six of its final eight games.

Holmes, who threw 21 pitches over 1 2/3 innings against the Royals on Sunday, found out he was starting about 30 minutes before first pitch. The 28-year-old rookie responded with four scoreless innings. His effort was backed by Soler, who doubled in the second and scored on Gio Urshela’s single, and a two-run single by Marcell Ozuna in the seventh for some much-needed insurance.