Braves have faced an all-time pitching gauntlet this postseason, and Game 4 is no different

Facing elite starting pitching in the postseason is exactly what you expect when you reach October. However, the Atlanta Braves have faced an absolute gauntlet through the first six games of their 2026 postseason. To be blunt, this is not an excuse for Atlanta's offense. Strong pitching aside, their best players have not shown up yet, and they are on the brink of elimination because of it.

However, once you break down the opposing pitchers Atlanta has faced, it is easier to see why they have been in the middle of numerous low-scoring affairs. The Braves haven't faced typical "elite" postseason pitching, they have faced the best of the best over the last few years, and Game 4 doesn't get an easier.

Braves offense has struggled, but it's hard to face tougher competition

In the Wild Card round, the Braves knew they would have to feast on the Phillies bullpen. Philadelphia's rotation of Jesús Luzardo, Cristopher Sanchéz, and Zack Wheeler backed them into a corner. Atlanta found a way to prevail through that tough Wild Card series, but it was anything but easy.

Advancing to play the two-time defending champion Dodgers meant the opponent would only get harder. The Dodgers took the liberty of showcasing their trade deadline trophy by pitching the dominant Tarik Skubal in Game 1, only to follow that with another former Cy Young winner in Blake Snell. Thankfully, the Braves found a way to split those two contests.

Los Angeles pitching a talent like Yamamoto in Game 3 is a testament to the depth they have accumulated. As the Braves look to stave off elimination on Wednesday night, they need the offense to wake up against another talented arm. Tyler Glasnow will get the ball for L.A. in Game 4, and his track record against the Braves is pretty impressive.

In six starts against Atlanta, Glasnow has a 2.48 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 32.2 innings. Glasnow is one of those pitchers who can dominate for stretches; it is just a matter of staying healthy throughout the season. Despite making just 13 starts in 2026, the Dodgers got Glasnow to October healthy.

Glasnow generates a ton of swing and miss (92nd percentile in whiff rate), so someone other than Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies needs to contribute. Among those on the postseason roster, Rowdy Tellez and Sean Murphy are the only guys who have homered off Glasnow, and both may not even play if Ronald Acuña Jr. is still limited to a DH role because of his knee.

Regardless, everyone is tired of hearing the excuses for the offense. It's been going on multiple postseasons now where the offense has not shown up, and nothing other than results will change people's tone. Atlanta has seen opposing teams' (rotation) stars show up for years now; it's time the Braves' offensive stars return the favor.

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