Spring training is quickly approaching and it's no secret that the Atlanta Braves have a tough road ahead of them in 2025. The division continued to add talented players to their rosters and it'll be a tight race all year. However, one team in particular has created their own super team and that is the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Braves fans know far too well the annoyance that comes from chasing the Dodgers. The team struggled against them in the playoffs every year but exercised that demon in 2023. LA creating the deepest roster in baseball presents a roadblock but it's not impassable.
How do the Braves stack up against the National League's best teams?
Nick: A healthy Braves team should be favored against anyone in a postseason series except the Phillies or Dodgers. Philly maintains the mental edge over Atlanta having ended their season two of the last three years. While Atlanta remains more talented it is a concerning matchup. The Dodgers have more talent than many contenders combined. It is going to take a Herculean feat to beat such a stacked lineup. The rest of the field Atlanta maintains a clear advantage over.
Fred: The Dodgers have the deepest roster, everyone else is one major injury to a star player away from a struggle. After that, the Braves, Phillies, Mets, Diamondbacks, Cubs, Padres Reds, and Brewers.
Mitchell: It’s actually unbelievable the Braves made the playoffs last year. Everyone was either injured, underperforming, or both. There are only so many All-Stars that can be out for two-plus months before things fall apart. Somehow, the Braves avoided complete rock bottom. With everyone more or less healthy, I expect the Braves to be second-best in the NL, easily.
Chase: The Dodgers are in a tier of their own, but I think the Braves will battle either the Phillies or Mets for the NL East, and that coveted (not so coveted?) first-round bye. After that I expect the third NL East finisher, the Padres, Diamondbacks, and NL Central winner (Cubs/Brewers) to round out the postseason picture.
Eric: The Dodgers are pretty clearly better on paper, but I would pick the Braves over any other team in the National League assuming they don’t get destroyed by injuries again. I also think that the Braves have a more complete roster than the Dodgers with fewer questions even if I have conceded that LA’s overall strength is higher.
Steven: It’s obviously the Dodgers versus everyone this season. They are the deepest team in baseball on paper but we all know that doesn’t always equal an automatic World Series win. Last season clouds the judgment for some Braves fans but Atlanta is the second-best team in the National League. Atlanta has tons of depth and a very talented roster. It’s hard to imagine they won’t compete for the NL pennant in 2025.