Will the Braves win the NL East in 2026?
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Video Transcript
All right, so can the Atlanta Braves win the National League East in two thousand and twenty-six?
All right, so can the Atlanta Braves win the National League East in two thousand and twenty-six?
Well, it’s not going to be easy.
Well, it’s not going to be easy.
You have the Phillies, you have the Mets, you know, those are both really good teams.
You have the Phillies, you have the Mets, you know, those are both really good teams.
Those are both really good teams, no question.
Those are both really good teams, no question.
And the Braves, meanwhile, have a lot of questions.
And the Braves, meanwhile, have a lot of questions.
in their rotation, they have some injuries.
in their rotation, they have some injuries.
overall, they’ve had guys with injury history.
overall, they’ve had guys with injury history.
So I think that two things need to happen in order for the Braves to have a chance of competing for a playoff spot or at least winning the division.
So I think that two things need to happen in order for the Braves to have a chance of competing for a playoff spot or at least winning the division.
They could possibly compete for a wildcard spot if these things don’t happen, but I still think these things need to happen.
They could possibly compete for a wildcard spot if these things don’t happen, but I still think these things need to happen.
The first thing is bullpen, bullpen, bullpen, as I write here in the article.
The first thing is bullpen, bullpen, bullpen, as I write here in the article.
I think bullpen’s crucial for this team, no question.
I think bullpen’s crucial for this team, no question.
You know, I think they’re almost– I, I’m not gonna say they’re built around their bullpen, but the Braves bullpen is going to be a strength if it performs up to expectation.
You know, I think they’re almost– I, I’m not gonna say they’re built around their bullpen, but the Braves bullpen is going to be a strength if it performs up to expectation.
They re-signed Raisel Iglesias to be the closer.
They re-signed Raisel Iglesias to be the closer.
They brought back– or they brought in Robert Surez.
They brought back– or they brought in Robert Surez.
They’ve also– they also have guys like Dylan Lee and Tyler Kinley and Aaron Bummer.
They’ve also– they also have guys like Dylan Lee and Tyler Kinley and Aaron Bummer.
The bullpen could be really good, and I don’t think it’s received a lot of attention.
The bullpen could be really good, and I don’t think it’s received a lot of attention.
But if the bullpen performs like I think it can, then it will be a strength.
But if the bullpen performs like I think it can, then it will be a strength.
And I am a firm believer that bullpens lead to winning– or good bullpens lead to winning.
And I am a firm believer that bullpens lead to winning– or good bullpens lead to winning.
So that’s the first thing.
So that’s the first thing.
The second thing is Chris Sale.
The second thing is Chris Sale.
That’s what I wrote here.
That’s what I wrote here.
And look, the rotation has questions.
And look, the rotation has questions.
I think a lot of people know that.
I think a lot of people know that.
But if Chris Sale can finish within, you know, top ten of Cy Young voting, I could even see him finishing top five if he’s healthy, then I think the Braves will be in a good position.
But if Chris Sale can finish within, you know, top ten of Cy Young voting, I could even see him finishing top five if he’s healthy, then I think the Braves will be in a good position.
Like, they need Chris Sale to be Chris Sale.
Like, they need Chris Sale to be Chris Sale.
Last year– You might say, “Well, last year he was good.”
Last year– You might say, “Well, last year he was good.”
Sure, but he also was limited to, I think, twenty-one appearances.
Sure, but he also was limited to, I think, twenty-one appearances.
So if Chris Sale can pitch in, you know, at least, at least twenty-five games, but hopefully like thirty games and pitch at, pitch at a Cy Young level, then I think the Braves will be in a good position.
So if Chris Sale can pitch in, you know, at least, at least twenty-five games, but hopefully like thirty games and pitch at, pitch at a Cy Young level, then I think the Braves will be in a good position.
So bullpen and Chris Sale.
So bullpen and Chris Sale.
Do they need other things to happen?
Do they need other things to happen?
Of course, they need the offense to perform well.
Of course, they need the offense to perform well.
But I think their biggest question mark is in their rotation, and a big Chris Sale year would help with that.
But I think their biggest question mark is in their rotation, and a big Chris Sale year would help with that.
And if the bullpen performs well, I just think they’ll be in an overall pretty good spot.
And if the bullpen performs well, I just think they’ll be in an overall pretty good spot.