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Michael Harris II Sparks Braves' Wild Card Series Win on Thursday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II threw the first punch in his team's 6-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series on Thursday, hitting a three-run home run in the first inning. Harris II had an excellent series overall, logging five hits in 13 plate appearances to go along with three RBI and three runs scored. The 25-year-old's hot start to the postseason is a continuation of his strong close to the regular season. Across 93 plate appearances in September, Harris II hit .281 with three home runs, nine RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases. If Harris II can continue to produce at a high level, he could be an X-factor for the Braves in their upcoming National League Division Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Tyler Mahle Pitching Through Abdominal Issue
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that starting pitcher Tyler Mahle (abdominal) felt an abdominal pull while warming up for his start against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series, per Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game. McAuley also reports that Mahle downplayed the issue, saying he "didn't feel it affected him whatsoever" and that it "wouldn't stop him from pitching today or in the future." Mahle pitched well against Philadelphia on Wednesday, allowing one earned run and recording six strikeouts across seven innings of work. Still, it's worth noting that the veteran right-hander could be operating at less than 100% if Atlanta advances to the National League Division Series and beyond. Mahle emerged as the Braves' number two starter behind ace Chris Sale down the stretch of the regular season, recording a 1.99 ERA across nine starts after Atlanta acquired him from the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline.
Source: 92.9 The Game - Grant McAuley
Source: 92.9 The Game - Grant McAuley
Chris Sale Strikes Out Nine in 2026 Postseason Debut
Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale put together his usual strong performance in his team's 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing four hits, a walk, and three earned runs while striking out nine across 6 1/3 innings of work. Sale exited the game in the seventh inning, having only surrendered one run, but Braves right-hander Didier Fuentes allowed both inherited runners to score and briefly put Sale on the hook for the loss. Sale was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2026, recording a 14-9 record with a 2.16 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 200 strikeouts across 162 2/3 innings (27 starts). The 37-year-old's average fastball velocity of 96.2 miles per hour was the best of his career, and he posted an elite 26.1% strikeout rate. Atlanta's rotation depth behind Sale is questionable, so the veteran lefty will likely need to continue his dominance into the postseason for the Braves to make a deep playoff run.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Austin Riley Powers Braves to Game 1 Victory with Late Home Run
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley was the hero of his team's 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series, hitting a go-ahead three-run home run off of Phillies closer Jhoan Duran in the eighth inning. It was Riley's lone hit in three plate appearances on Tuesday, but it obviously came at a key time for Atlanta. The 29-year-old battled through a frustrating year at the plate in 2026, hitting .219/.290/.364 with 19 home runs, 72 RBI, 64 runs scored, and nine stolen bases across 630 plate appearances. Riley's 31.9% strikeout rate was his worst since his rookie season in 2019. However, the righty slugger still maintained a solid 12.4% barrel rate during the regular season. If he can unlock some of his power in October, Riley could be an impact bat for the Braves in the postseason.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Michael Harris II Heating Up Entering the Postseason
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II put together a resurgent season in 2026, hitting .294/.321/.491 with 26 home runs, 87 RBI, 79 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases across 621 plate appearances. The 25-year-old remains one of the most aggressive hitters in baseball, logging just a 3.7% walk rate this year. However, Harris II's contact quality remains strong, as he posted a 10.3% barrel rate and a 47.6% hard-hit rate. Harris II also enters the postseason running hot, recording seven hits across his final 13 plate appearances of the regular season. If Harris II can continue his recent success in the playoffs, he could be one of the key players in Atlanta's National League Wild Card Series matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Austin Riley Has Been a Disappointment for Fantasy Managers in 2026
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley has had a disappointing year in 2026, hitting .223/.294/.371 with 19 home runs, 72 RBI, 64 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. The 29-year-old has struck out in 31.6% of his plate appearances, his highest rate since his rookie year in 2019. While Riley's 12.4% barrel rate and 44.2% hard-hit rate remain above-average, they are a notch below the marks he posted on his way to three consecutive 30-homer, 90-RBI seasons from 2021 through 2023. Riley has been a bit better in the second half of the season, hitting .248 with 10 home runs across 233 plate appearances since the All-Star break. However, he's struggled to a .229 batting average with a 31.6% strikeout rate in September. Entering the final weekend of the 2026 season, Riley remains a middling third base option for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Martin Perez Placed on 10-Day Injured List with Lower-Back Inflammation
Atlanta Braves left-hander Martin Perez (back) has been placed on the 10-day injured list with lower back inflammation, per Jesus Cano of The Athletic. While Perez could technically return in the middle of the National League Division Series, Braves manager Walt Weiss has already said that the veteran left-hander will likely not be available unless the team makes it to the National League Championship Series. Perez had a surprisingly excellent season for Atlanta in 2026, recording a 9-9 record with a 3.04 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 102 strikeouts across 142 innings (30 games). The 35-year-old's 17.1% strikeout rate limits his fantasy value, but he's been a quality innings eater who likely would have played a role in the Braves' playoff rotation. Without Perez, Braves right-handers Tyler Mahle, Grant Holmes, and JR Ritchie profile as the team's top arms behind ace Chris Sale.
Source: The Athletic - Jesus Cano
Source: The Athletic - Jesus Cano
Ronald Acuna Jr. Back in Braves' Lineup on Thursday
Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (shin) is starting in right field and is batting second against the visiting Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Brady Singer on Thursday, per MLB.com. Acuna fouled a ball off his left shin in Tuesday's game against the Reds and did not start on Wednesday, but he is back for the series finale and should be returned to all starting fantasy lineups against Singer. In just five career at-bats against Singer, Acuna is hitting .600 with a solo home run. The 28-year-old former MVP and five-time All-Star had two separate stints on the injured list this year with hamstring injuries, which have limited his overall production for fantasy managers. Acuna has hit .259 (102-for-394) with 20 home runs, 55 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and 60 runs scored. Braves fans can breathe a sigh of relief that they did not lose Acuna just before the start of the playoffs next week, and they will be hoping he can carry over his hot hitting in September. In 19 games during the month, he has gone 25-for-74 (.338) with seven homers and 19 RBI in 81 plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ronald Acuna Jr. Held Out on Wednesday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (shin) is not in the team's starting lineup for Wednesday's contest at home against the visiting Cincinnati Reds, per MLB.com. Brewer Hicklen is making the start in right field for the Braves and will bat eighth against Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott. Acuna was pulled from Tuesday's game early against Cincinnati after fouling a ball off his left leg. Thankfully, X-rays came back negative, and he was diagnosed with a shin contusion. The Braves are giving Acuna a precautionary day off on Wednesday, but he could be back as soon as Thursday's series finale in Atlanta. The Braves' primary concern will be for Acuna to be ready to roll for the start of the postseason next week. The 28-year-old former MVP and five-time All-Star missed more time due to injuries in 2026, but he still managed to reach the 20-homer mark in just 104 games played while slashing .259/.352/.462 with an .814 OPS. Acuna has added 55 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and 60 runs scored. He has been seeing the ball well in September, going 25-for-74 (.338) with seven home runs, five doubles, 19 RBI, 13 runs scored, and a stolen base in 19 games.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Braves Reinstate Robert Suarez From Injured List
The Atlanta Braves officially announced on Wednesday that they reinstated right-handed reliever Robert Suarez (elbow) from the 60-day injured list and optioned right-hander Owen Murphy to the minors in a corresponding move. After missing more than three months with inflammation in his right elbow, Suarez is back at the back end of the Braves' bullpen for the tail end of the regular season. The Braves might ease the 35-year-old veteran Venezuelan hurler back into the fold so that he is ready to roll for the postseason next month. Before his elbow injury, Suarez, a two-time All-Star who had 76 saves in the previous two seasons with the San Diego Padres, had been pitching extremely well in Atlanta. He was 4-0 with a 0.56 ERA (2.44 FIP), a 0.84 WHIP, four saves, 26 strikeouts, and six walks in 32 relief innings. Suarez's return definitely makes Atlanta's bullpen more intimidating, just in time for the postseason in October.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits Early on Tuesday with Shin Contusion
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (shin) exited early from his team's 4-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday after fouling a ball off his leg. Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, X-rays on the leg were negative, and the star outfielder is now being listed as day-to-day with a shin contusion. Acuna Jr. was hitless in one plate appearance before leaving the game. While it appears that he's avoided a serious injury, Atlanta could still choose to be extremely cautious with Acuna Jr. in the final week of the regular season. The Braves have already clinched the National League East title and are likely locked into the number three seed in the NL. Across 455 plate appearances in 2026, Acuna Jr. is hitting .259/.352/.462 with 20 home runs, 55 RBI, 60 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. If he misses any time, Braves outfielders Brewer Hicklen and Mike Yastrzemski would likely see an increase in at-bats.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Robert Suarez Expected to Return This Week
Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said during a radio appearance on 680 The Fan that right-hander Robert Suarez (elbow) is "highly likely" to be activated from the 60-day injured list on either Wednesday or Thursday. Suarez has been sidelined since mid-June by inflammation in his right elbow, but it appears he will be back in the Atlanta bullpen for the team's postseason push. Across 32 innings (31 games) before suffering the injury, Suarez recorded a 0.56 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 26 strikeouts, and four saves. While the 35-year-old's strikeout rate dropped to 21.5%, he allowed just one home run (0.28 HR/9). Upon his return, Suarez should be a key part of the bridge to Braves closer Raisel Iglesias.
Source: 680 The Fan
Source: 680 The Fan
Eric Hartman Struggling With Bat Since Call-Up to Double-A Columbus
Atlanta Braves outfield prospect Eric Hartman has had a good minor league season at age 20, but has struggled since his call-up in early August to Double-A Columbus. In 34 games with Columbus, the left-handed hitter has two homers and 10 RBI while hitting just .182. He does, however, have 18 stolen bases, which is a great sign despite the struggles in the batting average department. Hartman is the top prospect in the Braves' system and boasts 70-grade speed with a 55-grade hit tool and 50-grade power. Between Columbus and High-A Rome this season, Hartman has shown off that speed with 56 combined stolen bases to go with 26 homers and 74 RBI and a combined .249 batting average. Hartman looks like the real deal with his stolen base threat and that makes him a potential five-tool player and fantasy contributor a few years down the road.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Tate Southisene Headed to Arizona Fall League
Atlanta Braves infield prospect Tate Southisene had a solid 2026 season that started at Single-A and moved to High-A after 51 games. High-A proved a bit more challenging in terms of batting average (.297 vs. .255), but there was not a significant jump in strikeout rate, and his walk rate remained superb at 15.8 percent. The former first-rounder was promoted to Double-A for a single game to end the season, finishing with a .278/.408/.467 slash line with 12 home runs and 45 steals across all three levels. Though it was just one game, the promotion to Double-A is meaningful, especially considering the right-handed hitter is also being sent to the Arizona Fall League for some additional work. That could be an indication that the Braves see him as part of their future and want to get him prepared for a full season at Double-A, with some time at Triple-A potentially later in the year. There is enough contact and power here to go along with his elite speed that should keep the 19-year-old on the dynasty radar, particularly with a 2028 debut in sight.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Chris Sale Being Pushed Back, Will Not Start This Weekend
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale's next scheduled start is being pushed back, per Jesus Cano of The Athletic. Cano reports that the veteran left-hander is "not dealing with anything" and that there is "no need to panic." Still, it appears that Sale's next scheduled start will now be next Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds instead of this upcoming weekend against the Houston Astros. Sale has been one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2026, recording a 14-9 record with a 2.18 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 190 strikeouts across 157 innings (26 starts). He was effective in his most recent outing on September 11, allowing three earned runs while recording six strikeouts across seven innings pitched against the Philadelphia Phillies. Still, with the Braves locked into a playoff berth, it looks like the team is prioritizing having Sale as fresh as possible in October.
Source: The Athletic - Jesus Cano
Source: The Athletic - Jesus Cano
