WASHINGTON -- Mike Foltynewicz has put himself in the thick of the postseason roster decisions, which became even more pressing when the Braves secured a playoff berth with a 10-1 win over the Nationals on Saturday afternoon.

Postgame thoughts focused on Charlie Culberson, who was struck under the right eye while attempting to bunt a Fernando Rodney pitch during what proved to be a decisive four-run seventh. An incensed Brian Snitker was ejected when a strike was called because the umpires ruled Culberson was still squaring to bunt when he was hit.

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As Culberson was being evaluated at a nearby hospital, the Braves gained a 10 1/2-game lead over the second-place Nationals and reduced their magic number to clinch the National League East to four with 12 games remaining. There¡¯s a little more work to do to clinch a second straight division title, but the Braves have ensured they would at least secure one of the NL¡¯s two Wild Card spots.

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The Braves¡¯ return to the postseason has been secured as they have produced MLB¡¯s best winning percentage dating back to June 1. They have won 11 of their past 15 (including five of six within the past two weekends) against the Nationals.

¡°When we played them [last weekend] at home, that was a huge series,¡± Braves catcher Brian McCann said. ¡°We answered the bell. We come here, it¡¯s a big series and we¡¯ve done the same thing. This team is for real.¡±

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The results of this start were much different than when he had last pitched at Nationals Park on June 23. The former All-Star allowed eight runs over four innings that night and was then sent to Triple-A Gwinnett for six weeks.

It¡¯s safe to say Foltynewicz¡¯s mood was much different after he limited the Nationals to one run over six innings on Saturday. He has steadily improved since returning to the Majors on Aug. 6 and now has a 1.52 ERA over his past five starts.

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¡°I think I¡¯m back to where I was last year,¡± Foltynewicz said. ¡°I got sent down to figure a lot of things out. I went there because I know how good this team is. I know I can help this team win.¡±

A year ago, Foltynewicz was the Braves¡¯ Game 1 starter in the NL Division Series. He might not draw that honor again this year. But over the past few weeks, he has gone from a potential playoff reliever to somebody who would be hard to leave out of a postseason rotation.

Along with improving the effectiveness of his two-seamer and slider, Foltynewicz has benefited from a better demeanor. Instead of becoming upset when he allowed Anthony Rendon¡¯s first-inning RBI double or when he encountered more second-inning trouble, he persevered and retired 13 of the last 14 batters faced.

¡°He¡¯s been really, really good,¡± McCann said. ¡°He¡¯s been working both sides and getting that two-seamer going and the four-seamer. He¡¯s getting early-count outs and putting away guys when he gets two strikes on them.¡±