MLB Playoffs (National League Divisional Round): Braves, Dodgers Complete Three-Game Sweeps, Will Play For NL Crown

 Both of the National League's divisional playoff concluded on Thursday.

At Minute Maid Park, Houston:

Kyle Wright pitched six innings of three-hit, seven-strikeout baseball while relievers A.J. Minter, Jacob Webb, and Shane Greene each pitched an inning to preserve the shutout as the Atlanta Braves, who scored four runs in the fourth inning,  completed a three-game divisional playoff series sweep of the Miami Marlins with a 7-0 game-three pasting.

The Braves will be playing in their first National League Championship Series since 2001.

For the Marlins, this marked the first time they have ever lost a playoff series, having won their previous seven postseason encounters.

At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas:

Will Smith set a franchise postseason record with five runs while Jac Pederson added a two-run single to cap off a five-run third inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers demolished the San Diego Padres 12-3 to complete a three-game divisional playoff series sweep of their Southern California rivals.

MLB Playoffs (National League Divisional Round): Braves, Dodgers One Win Away From League Championship Series

 Both National League divisional playoff series continued on Wednesday.

At Minute Maid Park, Houston:

Ian Anderson pitched 5 and 2/3 innings of shutout (and eight-strikeout) baseball while Travis d'Arnaud and Dansby Swanson each hit a home run as the Atlanta Braves blanked the Miami Marlins 2-0 in game two of their divisional playoff series.

The Braves, up two games to none, can finish off the Marlins with a game-three victory on Thursday (11:00 AM Pacific Time, Fox Sports One)

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At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas:

Clayton Kershaw pitched six innings of six-strikeout baseball while Corey Seager batted in a pair of runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers held off the San Diego Padres 6-5 in game two.

Cody Bellinger (who hit a home run in the game) turned in what may have been the biggest defensive play of the postseason as he leaped in the air and made a catch in the seventh inning that robbed the Padres' Fernando Tatis of what would have been a go-ahead two-run homer.

The Dodgers, up two games to two, can close out the series with a game-three victory on Thursday (6:08 PM Pacific Time, MLB Network).

MLB Playoffs (National League Divisional Playoff Series): Braves, Dodgers Grab Series Openers

 The National League's two divisional playoff series opened on Tuesday.

At Minute Maid Park, Houston (site of all series games):

Ronald Acuna, Travis d'Arnaud (who batted in four runs), and Dansby Swanson each belted a home run as the Atlanta Braves overcame a three-run deficit and overpowered the Miami Marlins 9-5 in their series-opening contest.

At Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas (site of all series games):

Corey Seager's sacrifice fly in the sixth inning sent in the go-ahead run as the Los Angeles Dodgers opened their divisional playoff series with the San Diego Padres with a 5-1 victory.