How the Braves Made the 2026 MLB Postseason

Injuries dragged the Braves down in 2025, in what was, arguably, the most disappointing season for the franchise in a decade. But given all that talent still on the Braves, it would have been very difficult to envision the club missing out on postseason baseball in 2026. Atlanta, in control of the NL East for virtually all of the year, officially locked up a postseason spot on September 18.

Back in the groove

While the Braves’ offense didn’t see everyone participate as hoped, it was a very strong year for the likes of Michael Harris II, Mauricio Dubon, and, when healthy, Ronald Acuna Jr.

Last year was an adjustment year for Harris II. Traditionally a second-half behemoth, Harris II made some hand position changes with his setup last year. He hit the cover off the ball down the stretch, and it was fitting that Harris played a role in the Braves’ playoff-clinching game on September 18.

Harris II, as of the 19th, had 26 home runs, was in the top-25 of the Majors in extra-base hits and slugging percentage.

Dubon, acquired from the Astros for Nick Allen last winter, has never been known for his bat. Rather, Dubon came into the year as a very good defensive player with positional versatility, all while being an offensive upgrade from Allen. And yet, Dubon is fifth on the Braves in extra-base hits (41).

Despite hamstring problems, Acuna Jr. is on the verge of a 20-home run season.

Aside from those three, Ozzie Albies had a resurgent season one year after a very down offensive campaign in 2025. Reigning NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin cracked 24 home runs in his sophomore campaign.

Standout year from Olson

However, you can’t have a conversation about the Braves’ offense without Matt Olson.

Yes, Olson’s torrid offensive pace from the first half did slow after the All-Star break. The first baseman slashed .230/.303/.469 (.772 OPS) after the Midsummer Classic in Philadelphia. And yet, Olson paced the Braves’ offense with 40 total home runs, 15 of which came after the 14th of July.

He entered play on the 19th, one off of Rafael Devers for second (73) in the Majors in total extra-base hits.

Finding help for the rotation

Two years after Chris Sale won his first Cy Young Award, the left-hander had a season worthy of at least finishing a finalist for it in 2026. He was in the top 10 among starters in opponents’ wOBA, and will likely finish in the top-15 in strikeouts.

But aside from Sale, the Braves didn’t have it easy when it came to filling out the rest of the rotation. Hurston Waldrep missed most of 2026 and will likely miss most or all of 2027. Spencer Schwellenbach, who had an elbow injury in 2025, missed all of 2026 with a fractured elbow.

Those injuries opened the door for the likes of AJ Smith-Shawver, who missed the first few months, Owen Murphy, and JR Ritchie to get some work. But the real saviors down the stretch wound up being two veterans: Tyler Mahle & Martin Perez.

Mahle, who didn’t have great numbers in San Francisco, looked more like the pitcher Texas Rangers saw in 2025 — and then some. The right-hander struck out 55 over 53, and his 1.96 ERA was sixth-best in MLB among starters.

As for Perez, the left-hander bounced around between Triple-A Gwinnett and Atlanta to start the year, riding the Minor League contract wave that the club also used for Carlos Carrasco. But in the second half, Perez was, arguably, the second-best pitcher on the club.

Now, what was even more impressive? The left-hander suppressed well-hit contact against right-handed hitters at the highest order. Only Shane Baz had a better opponents’ Barrel% versus right-handed hitters in the second half than Perez (.8%). And overall, his .38 HR/9 in the second half was second-best among starters (min. 45 IP).