HOUSTON -- Tyler Mahle was part of a third-place Reds team that was swept by the Braves in the opening round of the expanded playoff format used during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. His hope to pitch in the 2023 playoffs for the Twins was erased when he underwent Tommy John surgery in May of that season.

So, it’s easy to understand why the veteran hurler had extra motivation as he helped the Braves claim a 6-2 win over the Astros on Friday night at Daikin Park. The victory clinched a postseason berth for Atlanta and allowed Mahle to grow more excited about what will be his first playoff start.

Now that the Braves have guaranteed they’ll be in the postseason, they’ll focus on wrapping up the National League East. They own a five-game lead over the second-place Phillies with just eight games remaining.

To clinch before heading home on Sunday night, the Braves would need to sweep this three-game series and have the Phillies lose one of the next two games against the Mets.

This is the eighth time in nine years that the Braves have reached the postseason. Their greatest run during that stretch occurred in 2021, when they celebrated a World Series title with a Game 6 win here in Houston.