2026 BRAVES FALL SHORT- WHAT WENT WRONG?

After winning 94 games, winning the National League East, and eliminating the Phillies in the NL Wild Card, the Braves ultimately crumble and fall in the NLDS to the Los Angeles Dodgers. After Atlanta's Game 2 win in LA, the offense fell flat.

The Braves and Dodgers split the first 2 games of the NLDS in LA, giving the Braves the advantage, coming home to Truist Park with a chance to send the Dodgers packing. Atlanta had their ace, Chris Sale, in a huge Game 3. Game 3 was defined in the 4th inning when Kike Hernandez connected for a 406ft 2 run homer. It was followed by a solo home run by former Brave, Freddie Freeman. Atlanta would only score 1 run, putting their backs against the wall heading into Game 4. They would have Tyler Mahle starting who has been excellent since joining the team at the deadline. The Braves would strike first, scoring a run in the 1st inning, but not scoring again the rest of the game. This game was defined by a 7th inning Andy Pages 2 RBI single. The Dodgers would not look back, adding on in the 9th with a Max Muncy no doubt home run off of Raisel Iglesias. With a 4-1 win, the Dodgers' quest of a "3-peat" would roll onto the NLCS.

What's next for the Braves? What needs to happen in the offseason? One of the biggest names for this offseason is Ronald Acuna Jr. A lot of Braves fans find themselves enraged with his lack of performance in the 2026 Postseason. He even recieved boos after his final at bat of the season at Truist Park. His wife, Maria, took to Instagram expressing her love for Ronald, asking fans to have mercy on her husband. She mentioned how hard Ronald works, and how amazing he is as a person and a father. A lot of fans anticipate him to be traded. My honest thoughts? Give him another chance. We see how Michael Harris completely changed the trajectory  of his career after a few minor adjustments, allowing for an unforgettable MVP type 2026 season. Allow Ronald to listen to the criticism, and make the adjustments necessary to prove himself in 2027 in an Atlanta Braves uniform. A lot of fans also want Austin Riley gone. My thoughts? Give him another chance as well. We've all seen what he's capable of. And he wound up having one of the biggest swings of the season in NLWC Game 1 against the Phillies. Keep him. 

What changes DO need to be made? I'm interested to see what the Braves do with their pitching staff this offseason. A lot needs to be done with the rotation. The 2026 bullpen was good, but there were more than a few issues for the starting rotation. Atlanta was never able to establish a 5 man rotation this season. Relying heavily on 37 year old Chris Sale, 35 year old Martin Perez, and Grant Holmes. Eventually they would land Tyler Mahle who was fantastic with them. One HUGE thing that needs to happen: Bryce Elder and Spencer Strider NEED TO GET OUT OF ATLANTA AND NEVER STEP FOOT IN TRUIST PARK AGAIN. They are awful, and they need to go. Alex Anthopolous needs to go get 2-3 starting pitchers who can really solidify and establish a starting rotation. That being said, they need to resign Tyler Mahle. Chris Sale likely has 1 year left in his MLB career, but he still shows no signs of slowing down. Another HUGE thing that needs to happen: RESIGN MAURICIO DUBON. He was AMAZING. A massive part of this teams chemistry and success. 

It sucks to see this season end the way it did, but it truly was an amazing season. Accomplishing so much with so much adversity. Winning 94 games and OWNING the Philadelphia Phillies IN THE REGULAR AND POSTSEASON. FINALLY. The Dodgers will play the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS. That series will begin Monday at 8:00pm Eastern in Milwaukee. Good job Braves, you made us proud this year. 

posted October 8, 2026

This year's National League Wild Card Series between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies lived up to its full potential. The Braves seek revenge for 2022 and 2023, where the Phillies eliminated them in the postseason. This year, they finally got their "get back." Safe to say it did not come without an emotional battle that lasted 28 innings.

Game 1 will always be remembered for Austin Riley's clutch 3 run home run to turn the game upside down and give the Braves the lead in the 8th. ATL led this series 1-0. Game 2 was just as emotional. The Braves took a 2 run lead into the 7th, but back to back mammoth home runs by Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper tied the game. In the 10th inning, Alec Bohm would hit the go ahead homer and the Phillies "Pushed the setting sun back into the sky" as announced by NBC play by play announcer Matt Vasgersian. Game 3 was all Atlanta with home runs from Michael Harris II, Ozzie Albies, and Matt Olson. The Phillies could not keep up and were defeated 6-2, finally ending the Braves playoff curse against Philly. Game 3 will forever be remembered as one of the most electric atmospheres in Truist Park history.

Atlanta will head to Los Angeles to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers, who seek their 3rd consecutive World Series title. The series will begin Saturday 10/3 at 1:00pm local. What a ride and what an opportunity for the 2026 Atlanta Braves.

This game was covered live, under the "BRENTLY'S LIVE SCORES" page.

posted October 4, 2026

For the 3rd time in the last 5 seasons, the Braves and Phillies will meet in the Postseason. This year, they will meet in the best of 3 National League Wild Card Series. ALL 3 (IF NECESSARY) games will take place at Truist Park in Atlanta.

Even though the Braves claimed the NL East title, the Phillies have a chance to send them packing just like they did in 2022 and 2023. The Braves' 94 win season comes down this winner take all 3 game series. What's helping the Braves? They will not have to step foot into Citizens Bank Park, where they were eliminated in 22 and 23. On top of that, the Phillies have been a total disaster, lifeless for the past 2 weeks. What's helping Philadelphia? They will not have to face a nighttime Truist crowd, as MLB opted to make this series a 2:00ET start time. Also, the Braves offense has been ice cold for the past couple of weeks. 

It all begins Tuesday, with Game 1 of this NLWC airing on NBC/Peacock at 2:00ET. The winner of this series will head out west to face the 2x defending champ Dodgers in Los Angeles. 

posted September 28, 2026

On Saturday, Auburn outlasted Vanderbilt 21-15 and collected not only the first SEC win under new head coach Alex Golesh, but also their first SEC win on the plains since November of 2024 when they upset #16 Texas A&M. Coach Golesh made sure to thank the fans for showing up and for always being there, even in the darkest of years. He stated following the game that he cannot control what happened before he got there, and that Auburn fans will have plenty to cheer about in the near future.

It was not a pretty win for the Tigers, but they held onto their lead from the first quarter on. Auburn's offense did not look great, really struggling on first down and could not escape 3rd and long. Byrum Brown thew a first quarter interception, leading to a Vanderbilt field goal to put them up 3-0. Auburn would respond as Brown connected with Chas Nimrod on a deep ball to put the Tigers up 7-3. The next score would come when Auburn's Omar Mabson II blocked a punt, and was scooped up and returned for the TD. Auburn took a 14-3 lead to halftime. Vanderbilt's offense did look much better in the 2nd half, as they scored a touchdown and kicked 2 field goals. Auburn would score once in the 2nd half on a Byrum Brown rushing touchdown. 

Auburn will prepare for an absolute gauntlet of an upcoming schedule, featuring trips to Tennessee, Georgia, and Ole Miss, along with playing Lane Kiffin's LSU Tigers at home. What will Auburn's 2026 record look like?

posted September 26, 2026

With the Atlanta Braves 4-2 win over Houston on Sunday, not only did they complete the sweep, but they put an end to the long and treacherous race for the National League East. From leading 10.5 games in early June, to leading by just 1.5 games just before the All Star Break, the Braves were able to answer the question once and for all. 

Atlanta won the season series against the Phillies 8-4. Basically owning them. The offense has been a struggle as of late but they have continued to find a way to win games. With 6 games to go, Atlanta sits 92-64. They have 2 remaining series; At home against the Reds, and then they'll finish the season in South Beach against the Marlins.

Atlanta will begin the Postseason on Tuesday, September 29 in the National Wild Card Series (NLWC) against most likely either the San Diego Padres, or yes, the Philadelphia Phillies. A week from now the table will be set. Buckle up.

posted September 20, 2026

A taste of October in September! The series of the year between the Braves and Phillies had a Game 1 that did not disappoint! Drake Baldwin gets the biggest hit of his young career as the Braves walk off the Phillies 6-5 on Friday night!

After Matt Olson hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 1st inning, Philadelphia's Derek Hill hit a bases clearing double to make it 3-1 Phillies in the 2nd inning. The score would remain just that until Austin Riley's solo home run in the bottom of the 7th. Philly lead 3-2 going into the bottom of the 9th until a pair of  singles by Atlanta's Mike Yastrzemski and Sean Murphy. Yaz was able to score from first as Phillies' center fielder Derek Hill bobbled the ball. Philadelphia was able to escape the 9th with no further damage to force extras.

Justin Crawford collected an RBI single on the first pitch of the 10th inning putting Philly back in the driver seat, but a sac fly by Mauricio Dubon would erase that, and force an 11th. Luis Arraez would get his own RBI single in the top of the 11th to make it 5-4. Philly got 2 easy outs to start the inning, but Atlanta's Ha-Seong Kim came through yet again, and tied the game at 5. Then Drake Baldwin finished the job with a double into the Right center field gap. 

Atlanta now has a 5 game lead in the NL East with a magic number 9. They are a few games away from clinching their first division title since 2023!

posted September 12, 2026

The Braves lead the Phillies by 4 games with 15 games remaining in 2026. The winner of this series is likely well on their way to an NL East title. The Phillies are looking for their 3rd straight as the Braves look for their first since 2023. 

With a sweep, or even a series win, Atlanta would likely cement themselves as the Champs of the East. For Philly, a sweep would put them just a game back from tying the division lead.

Atlanta has already won the season series, meaning Philly must lead the division; a tie would go to the Braves.

posted September 11, 2026