All things considered, the Atlanta Braves are in a great spot. The Braves’ mission to start off the NLDS against the Dodgers was to steal at least one of the games in LA, and the Braves pulled that off thanks to some brilliance from their bullpen. Just like that, the Braves head back to Atlanta needing to win what amounts to a best-of-three series with two games at home, with Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle starting on the mound.
However, that doesn't mean things have been easy. Yes, the Braves have had some standout performers this postseason who have done a lot of the heavy lifting, but they also have a few players who are making this matchup much more difficult than it needs to be. If that doesn't change, Atlanta could find themselves in trouble despite their favorable position.
Here are the Braves players that are not doing their part (yet) in the NLDS
Ronald Acuña Jr.
Strictly speaking, Ronald Acuña Jr. hasn't been completely terrible this postseason, as he has made some plays with his legs, scored some runs, and has hit some balls hard that just found gloves. However, the results have definitely not been what the Braves have needed from him for two straight playoff series this year, and his double play in Game 2 with the bases loaded and one out was absolutely brutal.
Roki Sasaki works into and out of trouble in the eighth by getting Ronald Acuña to ground into a double play! pic.twitter.com/tpLG6CEwTa
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 5, 2026
Matt Olson
Matt Olson picked pretty much the worst time to go into one of his slumps, but here we are. After only posting a .633 OPS during September in the regular season, Olson has just one hit in this series against the Dodgers so far. The Braves have faced some really tough lefties, which hasn't helped, but Olson must show up against Yoshinobu Yamamoto and others if the Braves are going to finish the job in this series.
Austin Riley
Austin Riley's game-breaking home run against the Phillies in the Wild Card round was amazing, and many hoped it was a sign that he has finally figured things out again. In the four playoff games since then, Riley has one hit and three walks in 17 plate appearances, including a 0-for-7 mark against the Dodgers so far in the NLDS. Riley may be broken, but it would be great if he could find a way to at least chip in a bit more.
Lane Thomas
The Braves traded for Lane Thomas and his reputation as a lefty killer to balance their lineup out. Unfortunately, that trade is looking like a bust so far, as Thomas posted a .171/.261/.317 line in 46 regular-season plate appearances, got hurt, and then returned just in time to go hitless through the first two games of the NLDS. At this point, it is hard to see Thomas succeeding in the role the Braves need him for.
Grant Holmes
When Ray Kerr exited his two "starts" this postseason, the Braves were in firm control of each game and just needed some bulk innings from Grant Holmes to close things out and preserve the rest of the bullpen. In both instances, Holmes fell short, including an embarrassing outing in Game 2 of the NLDS where he only recorded two outs and gave up a homer. Atlanta needs both Martin Perez and Bryce Elder to come back healthy and strong, because it is clear that the Braves don't trust Holmes right now, with good reason.
Victor Mederos
The Braves have a few bullpen arms that they very clearly trust more than others. The way guys like Didier Fuentes and Kerr have been pitching, there is good reason for that. However, the main bullpen guys can't pitch EVERY inning, but the Braves now find themselves pushing those limits because guys like Victor Mederos have fallen short when given opportunities. When a pitcher gives up a walk and two hits, including a homer, in the playoffs and only gets a single out, it's hard to go back to them as the stakes get higher.
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