Ranking Atlanta Braves' Most Ideal 1st-Round Matchups

The Atlanta Braves notched a much-needed victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday afternoon to remain in the hunt for a wild-card berth.

Amazingly, the Braves sit just 1.5 games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates for the second and final wild-card spot.

While it has been an up-and-down season for the Braves, they still have a chance to reach the postseason for the third straight year.

Advancing in the postseason relies a lot on the matchups. Like any other team, the Braves match up favorably with some more than others.

Here's a list of the least favorable to most favorable matchups for the Braves in the first round of the playoffs.

5. Los Angeles Dodgers

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The team the Braves would least like to see to begin the postseason would be the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers ended the Braves' season a year ago, and they once again have a roster loaded with talent.

It starts with Clayton Kershaw, who has posted an absurd 1.67 ERA in 177.1 innings to go with his 18-3 record. The National League Cy Young front-runner and MVP candidate is a difference-maker in a one-game scenario or series.

Meanwhile, Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu give the Dodgers very good options behind Kershaw in the rotation.

They also feature a potent offense that ranks fifth in runs scored (601) and second in average (.260) in the National League.

The Braves do not want to see the Dodgers in the first round, as they are arguably the favorites in the National League.

4. San Francisco Giants

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Another team from the NL West shows up next on this list in the San Francisco Giants.

The Giants currently hold the first wild-card spot and would be the most likely team the Braves would play in the one-game playoffs. That could spell trouble for the Braves, as they have an ace in Madison Bumgarner and the second-best bullpen in the NL.

The Giants won the season series over the Braves with a convincing 5-1 record.

The Braves lost to the Giants in Bobby Cox's last few games with the team, and AT&T Park has been a tough place to win for the Braves the past few seasons.

With all that being said, the Braves would rather avoid the Giants.

3. St. Louis Cardinals

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Once again, the St. Louis Cardinals have positioned themselves to make the postseason.

Year after year, the Cardinals seem to start slow, only to catch fire at the right time. And they always seem to make noise once they make the postseason.

The Braves and Cardinals most recently matched up in the one-game playoff featuring the infamous infield fly rule.

This season, the Cardinals still have big-game pitcher Adam Wainwright. The rotation behind him is a little more shaky than in years past, with Michael Wacha returning from injury and Justin Masterson struggling since being acquired by the team. John Lackey also hasn't been great since joining the Cardinals, but I wouldn't count him out in a big-game situation.

The Cardinals offense is solid but unspectacular, as it ranks in the top five in the National League in both average and OBP but last in home runs and bottom five in runs scored.

The Cardinals always seem to play their best ball at the right time, but they have their weaknesses that can be exploited.

2. Pittsburgh Pirates

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It would take some serious shifting of teams for the Braves to play the Pirates. The Pirates and Braves would have to keep winning while the Giants collapsed down the stretch.

However, the Pirates would be a favorable matchup for the Braves if this unlikely scenario played out.

The Pirates do not have the postseason experience of the Dodgers, Giants or Cardinals. They also don't have as dominant of an ace at the top of their rotation. Gerrit Cole would likely be the top starter for the Pirates, but that's a lot to ask of a 24-year-old.

The Braves and Pirates faced off in Pittsburgh this year (series later in Atlanta), with the Braves taking two of three and blowing a late lead in the other.

The Braves would have an improved chance of advancing if they matched up with the Pirates.

1. Milwaukee Brewers

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The most favorable matchup for the Braves this postseason would be the Milwaukee Brewers. Like the Pirates, this would take both the Braves and Brewers getting hot while the Giants collapse.

The Brewers have fell apart the past month, as they recently dropped nine straight to go from leading the central division to out of the playoff picture altogether.

Also, similar to the Pirates, the Brewers don't have the luxury of having a clear No. 1 starter. They could go with Kyle Lohse, Yovani Gallardo, Matt Garza or Wily Peralta. All have had their moments but are far from a sure thing to perform.

The Braves also proved to play well against the Brewers this season, as they won five of the seven games against Milwaukee.

This would be the dream scenario for the Braves.