The Atlanta Braves enter the 2026 season with renewed optimism after a frustrating and injury-filled 2025 campaign. While the Los Angeles Dodgers remain the National League’s powerhouse, national analysts believe the Braves are one of the few teams with a legitimate chance to challenge them.
That belief is rooted in improved health, roster reinforcements and the expectation that Atlanta’s core players will return to form after an uncharacteristically uneven year.
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Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com recently ranked the Braves as the second-best threat to dethrone the Dodgers in 2026, placing them behind only the New York Mets. His evaluation reflects both the strength of Atlanta’s roster and the potential for a significant bounce-back if key players stay on the field.
Castrovince began his assessment by acknowledging the central question surrounding Atlanta’s outlook. “To list the Braves here requires belief in better health in 2026.”
He noted that the team’s confidence has already been tested by an offseason setback. “This belief is already being tested by an offseason injury to re-signed shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, and I’d like to see Atlanta add another starter to its current group.”
From there, he shifted toward the reasons for optimism, highlighting the rotation’s upside. “Still, I like the possibilities for the rotation with Sale in a contract year, Strider further removed from surgery, Lopez coming back and youngster Hurston Waldrep in the mix after his impressive big-league break-in.”
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Castrovince also pointed to the bullpen as a major area of improvement. “And the Braves definitely beefed up their bullpen by signing free agent Robert Suarez for the eighth and re-signing Raisel Iglesias for the ninth.”
He closed with the most important variable of all. “Oh, and a full season of Acuna can’t hurt. So the Braves are a strong bounce-back candidate.”
His ranking places Atlanta directly behind the Mets, who he listed as the top challenger to the Dodgers due to their aggressive roster overhaul and improved pitching depth. Even so, the Braves remain the more established contender, with a proven core and a track record of sustained success.
Atlanta’s path back to the top hinges on health, consistency and the ability of its stars to perform at their expected levels. Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies still form one of the most dangerous offensive groups in the league.
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The rotation, if healthy, has the potential to be one of the deepest in the National League. The bullpen, now fortified with Suarez and Iglesias, should be far more reliable in late-inning situations.
The Dodgers remain the benchmark, but the Braves have positioned themselves as a serious threat. With improved health, a deeper pitching staff and a full season from their MVP-caliber superstar, Atlanta enters 2026 with every reason to believe it can close the gap and make a real run at the National League crown.