MLB Preview: Atlanta Braves

Published on March 24, 2026 at 7:45 AM

The Atlanta Braves enter 2026 coming off a disappointing season in which injuries snapped their seven-year postseason streak. The front office was uncharacteristically loud this winter, prioritizing defensive stability and bullpen depth to ensure there is no repeat of last year’s collapse.  Unfortunately, the injury bug is already starting to bite Atlanta as one of their key acquisitions, Ha-Seong Kim (1 year, $20million) is expected to be out until May with a torn finger tendon.  Sean Murphy is also recovering from hip surgery and is aiming for a mid-May return. Both Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep are sidelined until the summer after undergoing elbow procedures. The Braves also signed Robert Suarez (3 years, $45million), the former Padres closer, in hopes of shoring up the backend of the bullpen.  To help the lineup, Mike Yastrzemski was added with the plan to platoon in the outfield but will likely become a mainstay with Jurickson Profar serving a season long suspension for PEDs.  Despite the early injuries, the “A” on the cap still represents one of the best rosters in the National League.

 

Lineup

Ronald Acuna Jr. is now back fully healthy and has reclaimed the leadoff spot at the top of the order (95 games played, 21 home runs, and .935 OPS in 2025) as he will be looking to push for another 40/40 season. Matt Olson remains the gold standard for reliability as he played all 162 games in 2025 – his fourth consecutive season do so – while remaining highly productive hitting .272 with 29 home runs and 95 RBIs; while adding a third career Gold Glove award.  Austin Riley returns to 3B after being limited to 110 games (19 home runs with a .737 OBP) in 2025 and hopes to get back to his MVP-caliber play.  Joining these three will be Drake Baldwin, coming off winning the 2025 NL Rookie of the Year, who will be the everyday starter at Catcher while Murphy recovers.  Michael Harris will move down in the order but still provides pop as he’s coming off a 20-home run, 86 RBIs season and is still one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball.  Ozzie Albies should remain in the #2 hole and is one of the best defensive second basemen in the National League.

Rotation

Since the departure of Max Fried, Chris Sale has been tasked as the undisputed ace of the pitching staff and was surgical in 2025 (2.58 ERA) and recently signed an extension through 2027. Behind Sale, is Spencer Strider whose velocity dipped last season which led to his ERA to balloon to 4.45; however from what he’s shown this spring, Strider’s velocity has improved, but he likely won’t consistently touch 100 mph anymore.  With Schwellenbach and Waldrep on the 60-day IL, the backend of the rotation is currently thin.  Reynaldo Lopez and Bryce Elder will provide veteran depth and stability, until those two return from the IL.  Didier Fuentes (20 years old) is forcing the front office’s hand as he has had a very good spring and made the Opening Day roster and though the plan is for him to start in the bullpen; he could expect to see some starts with how the Braves rotation is currently situated.

 

Bullpen

While the rotation is currently dealing with injuries, the bullpen is expected to be one of the best in baseball this season. Raisel Iglesia, who was dominant during the second half of 2025 (1.76 ERA, 0.75 WHIP) was brought back on a 1 year, $16million to remain the closer.  Suarez, who led the NL in saves last season, will be the setup man and brings a triple-digit heater with him to the 8th  Aaron Bummer, who missed all of 2025 with shoulder inflammation, is back to full health and will be the primary lefty specialist, who relies on a high groundball rate to navigate opposing batting orders.  The Braves also added Tyler Kinley and Joel Payamps to fill middle relief roles.

Projected Lineup

  1. Ronald Acuna Jr. – RF
  2. Ozzie Albies – 2B
  3. Matt Olson – 1B
  4. Austin Riley – 3B
  5. Drake Baldwin – C
  6. Michael Harris – CF
  7. Mauricio Dubon – SS (until Ha-Seong Kim returns)
  8. Mike Yastrzemski – LF
  9. Dominic Smith – DH

Projected Rotation

  1. Chris Sale
  2. Spencer Strider
  3. Reynaldo Lopez
  4. Bryce Elder
  5. Didier Fuentes
  6. *Spencer Schwellenbach
  7. *Hurston Waldrep

Projected Bullpen

Raisel Iglesias – Closer

Robert Suarez – Setup

Aaron Bummer

Tyler Kinley

Joel Payamps

Dylan Lee

Manager: Walt Weiss (1st season)

 

Projection: 91-71 (1st in the NL East)

 

Written By: Brian Finnigan

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