The Braves dropped the final, forcing a win-and-in twin bill against the Mets

ATLANTA — Nothing has come easy for the Braves this year. So, it should come as no surprise that what turns out to be their final day of the regular season will determine their postseason fate.

“We've got a chance to make the postseason,” Braves first baseman Matt Olson said. “It's like any day, we have to show up and win tomorrow. Obviously, you wanted to do it today and take the easy way out tomorrow.”

Both the Braves and Mets need just one win in Monday's twin bill to secure one of the wild card spots. If both teams are swept, the D-backs will advance to the postseason.

The Braves will start rookie sensation Spencer Schollenbach in the first game. Schullenbach has allowed one run in 14 innings against the Mets and has a 1.79 ERA in his seven starts against NL playoff contenders.

If Schullenbach doesn't do the job, the Braves will give the ball to Chris Sale in the nightcap. Sale needs four strikeouts and will need to keep his ERA under Tarik Skubal's 2.39 mark to become the first pitcher to win MLB's Triple Crown since Johan Santana in 2007, but will keep the veteran much more available to start Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, which is Tuesday. The game will be in San Diego against the Padres.

“The ball is in our court,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “If we can pull one of these off, it's one of those things.”

Sale and Schullenbach were the options for the doubleheader Sunday when Atlanta gambled on Charlie Morton's power.

Unfortunately for Morton, what could have been the final start to his career, didn't go the way he or the team wanted. The 40-year-old hurler surrendered a three-run homer to Michael Massey before recording the first out of the game. He surrendered a two-out solo homer to Hunter Renfro in the fourth.

“I don't know how to feel about it because of the outcome,” Morton said. “I feel like I let the team down because of the result.”

Had the Braves won, they would have entered the wild card series with both Sale and Schullenbach available. But the blame extended beyond Morton, who was lifted after 4 1/3 innings.

The Braves scored just two runs as the Royals entered the seventh inning, albeit before using any pitchers who are locked in for a postseason roster spot. Alec Marsh gave up two runs — one earned — in five innings and lowered his ERA to 4.53.

A third-inning leadoff homer by Gio Urschela and a fourth-inning RBI single by Ramon Loreno accounted for Atlanta's only runs. Braves also got out untimely.

Orlando Arcia was knocked out as Marcell Ozuna attempted to advance to third base at the plate by going just to the right of Royals catcher Freddie Fermin.

Jorge Soler was easily knocked out at the plate when he attempted to score on a sharp grounder from fourth base to third base.

“It's not a perfect game,” Snitker said. “These guys are not perfect. It's always tough in these situations, especially where we were in the lineup.

Completing the Royals' three-game sweep would have allowed them to begin preparing for the Wild Card series without first having to play a doubleheader. But that wouldn't be a fitting development in this injury-plagued season that's been fraught with challenges.

“We're going to play two ball games and hopefully we'll go out there and get some big hits and everything,” Snitker said. “It's up to us. We have to make it happen.”