The Braves’ playoff roster is coming into focus, and the biggest decisions are already made. Atlanta has wrapped up the NL East and is almost certain to open the postseason at Truist Park in a three-game Wild Card Series. The only real mystery left is the opponent, with the Padres, Phillies, and Cubs still sorting out the Wild Card standings.
On the pitching side, Alex Anthopoulos already tipped the hand a bit earlier in the week: Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle will take Games 1 and 2. If the series goes to a deciding Game 3, Atlanta sounds ready to play it by ear.
That could point to a bullpen game, though Martín Pérez has at least earned a look. He’s been excellent at home, posting a 1.80 ERA at Truist Park, and over his last six starts that mark has dropped all the way to 0.28.
Grant Holmes may not crack the rotation for this series, but he still fits the postseason picture. He’s done well in relief before, so he could absolutely be part of the mix if Atlanta needs another arm.
The bullpen group looks settled, too. Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, Dylan Lee, Didier Fuentes, Brent Suter, Victor Mederos, Ray Kerr, Dylan Dodd, and AJ Smith-Shawver are all in the frame.
Suarez’s return is the key development there; he pitched in Gwinnett over the weekend and is expected back with the big-league club in the next couple of days. If he’s healthy, he’ll be on the roster.
A couple of fringe arms have also made their cases harder to ignore. Kerr has put up a 1.76 ERA across 15.1 innings this season, while Smith-Shawver has looked more comfortable in relief, with a 2.57 ERA over 7.0 innings.
Behind the plate, the notable tweak is the addition of a third catcher. The Braves could choose to go without one, but with Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy expected to be in the lineup every game, carrying an extra catcher makes sense for late-game flexibility. It also seems to reflect where things stand with Dominic Smith, who has only six at-bats since August 21st and hasn’t recorded a hit.
The infield group includes Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, Mauricio Dubon, Austin Riley, and Ha-Seong Kim.
In the outfield, the roster picture features Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II, Mike Yastrzemski, Brewer Hicklen, and DaShawn Keirsey Jr.
In Other News...
Braves Fans Got A Clearer Look At Who Helped Gwinnett Matter
The Gwinnett Stripers finished their minor league season at 76-73, giving Braves followers a useful look at a farm club that stayed relevant deep into the summer. Gwinnett was one of just two Atlanta affiliates to post a winning record in 2026, and that mattered because the Stripers were often the organizations most visible proving ground for players moving up, moving through, or trying to get back on track.
Brewer Hicklen and Owen Murphy ended up taking the top honors, with Hicklen earning hitter of the year after a .302 season with 18 home runs and 30 stolen bases, and Murphy named pitcher of the year after working to a 3.07 ERA with 94 strikeouts. The broader picture was just as encouraging for Atlanta, with several other contributors turning in notable seasons and a number of major leaguers passing through Gwinnett along the way, giving Braves fans a clearer sense of who helped keep the affiliate mattering. [Read more 🡒]
Walt Weiss Built A Braves Case Voters May Be Ignoring
The Braves got back to the top of the division in 2026 under first-year manager Walt Weiss, and the case for his work is easy to see when you look at the circumstances surrounding the season. Atlanta had to navigate major injuries to key players and plenty of strain on the starting rotation, yet still finished with 92 wins and its first division title since 2023.
Pat Murphy is still the favorite for NL Manager of the Year, but Weiss has built a resume that deserves more attention than it has gotten. First-year manager, depleted roster, division crown, 92 wins - it adds up to a strong argument for voters who tend to reward the obvious success stories and overlook the steady job behind them. [Read more 🡒]
Robert Suarez Has Become A Huge Braves October Decision
Robert Suarez took another step back toward Atlanta on Sunday, turning in a scoreless inning for Gwinnett and flashing the kind of velocity the Braves have been waiting to see as he works his way back from injury. With the minor-league season now over, the clubs next move is more about timing and trust than pure rehab, and general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Suarez is likely to be activated soon, perhaps by midweek.
For the Braves, the question is whether that means enough to make him part of the postseason picture. October roster spots are hard to earn this late in the process, especially for a reliever still proving his body is ready, and Suarezs return will force the front office and coaching staff to weigh upside against certainty as they settle on the group they want for the postseason. [Read more 🡒]