The Braves are NL East champions and heading into the final home series of the regular season. Barrett Sallee and Chris Dimino discuss how Atlanta should use this week to get ready for the postseason—including bullpen roles for A.J. Smith-Shawver and Robert Suarez, Chris Sale’s tune-up, lineup decisions, and potential Wild Card opponents.

Plus, why Walt Weiss deserves serious consideration for NL Manager of the Year after guiding the Braves through a wild 2026 season.

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The Braves are closing in on a playoff spot, but Chris Dimino says their formula for winning has not changed: hit home runs, get enough starting pitching and hand a lead to the bullpen. On this edition of Braves Central, Chris and Nick break down Atlanta’s frustrating struggles with runners in scoring position, the Astros series in Houston and why the postseason can hinge on an unexpected player rising to the moment. They also discuss Chris Sale’s adjusted schedule, Tyler Mahle and Martín Pérez, the state of the bullpen and what the Braves need to see as October approaches.

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The Braves took two of three from the Phillies, but their biggest October questions remain unanswered with just 12 games left in the regular season. On Braves Central, Barrett Sallee and Chris Dimino discuss whether Matt Olson is finally breaking out of his slump, Atlanta’s pursuit of a top-two playoff seed and a potential Wild Card matchup with the Padres. They also preview the upcoming series at Wrigley Field and examine the Braves’ postseason pitching decisions involving Tyler Mahle, AJ Smith-Shawver, JR Ritchie, Dylan Lee and Robert Suarez.

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Ronald Acuña Jr. has become Philadelphia’s newest villain—and Braves fans should love every second of it. After Acuña’s home run celebration and curtain call fired up Phillies fans, Chris Dimino and Barrett Sallee explain why the Braves superstar is becoming this generation’s Chipper Jones against Atlanta’s biggest division rival. On Braves Central, they also discuss: • Grant Holmes strengthening his case for the postseason rotation • Reynaldo López returning to start against the Tampa Bay Rays • Bryce Elder’s move to the bullpen • Atlanta clinching the season-series tiebreaker over Philadelphia • The Braves and Rays battling for potential World Series home-field advantage • Why Tampa Bay presents a completely different challenge for Atlanta

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The biggest series of the Braves’ season is here. Atlanta heads to Philadelphia for a four-game showdown with the Phillies that could reshape the NL East race. On Braves Central, Barrett Sallee and Chris Dimino explain how Don Mattingly has transformed Philadelphia into a more patient and versatile offense led by Bryce Harper. They also discuss: • Ronald Acuña Jr.’s 200th career home run • Atlanta’s improving lineup entering September • Ha-Seong Kim’s potential postseason role • The Braves’ struggles away from Truist Park • Philadelphia’s loaded starting rotation • Grant Holmes’ opportunity to prove he belongs in Atlanta’s playoff rotation Can the Braves protect their four-game division lead in Philadelphia?

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Chris Sale delivered an all-time performance, throwing a complete-game shutout as the Braves beat the Dodgers 1–0 to finish off a three-game sweep. Drake Baldwin provided the only run with a first-pitch leadoff homer. On Braves Central, Barrett Sallee and Chris Dimino break down Sale’s dominant night, the playoff atmosphere at Truist Park and what the sweep means for Atlanta’s postseason push. They also discuss Ronald Acuña Jr.’s mental reset, where he should hit in the lineup, Grant Holmes’ role and the difficult decisions awaiting the Braves when they build their postseason pitching staff.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are in Atlanta for a massive three-game series with the Braves — and it has all the makings of a playoff preview. On Braves Central, Chris Dimino and Barrett Sallee break down what’s at stake for Atlanta, the continued concerns surrounding the Braves offense, why Bryce Elder is under the microscope in Game 1, and which Braves hitters need to step up against one of baseball’s deepest pitching staffs. They also discuss Matt Olson, Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II, the Dodgers’ star-studded roster, Max Muncy’s underrated career, Atlanta’s bullpen, Mauricio Dubón taking over at shortstop and why this series could have major implications for National League playoff positioning.

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The Braves head to Milwaukee for a huge series against the team with the best record in baseball — and it starts with one of the most anticipated pitching matchups of the season. Chris Sale takes the mound as Atlanta looks to build off Grant Holmes’ dominant outing and a lights-out performance from the bullpen. But with the Braves’ offense still struggling to cash in with runners in scoring position, can they generate enough offense against one of baseball’s best pitching staffs? Barrett Sallee and Chris Dimino break down the matchup, Milwaukee’s fundamentally sound style of baseball, Atlanta’s offensive concerns and why this stretch against the Brewers and Dodgers has a definite October feel. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Braves Central: Brewers Series Preview 0:26 Grant Holmes’ Dominant Bounce-Back Start 2:19 Braves Bullpen Steps Up 2:39 Didier Fuentes Becoming a Weapon 5:50 Chris Sale vs. Jacob Misiorowski 8:01 Can the Braves Offense Break Out? 11:12 Braves Need to Get Aggressive on the Bases 12:55 How Milwaukee Wins Without Home Runs 16:28 Why This Series Feels Like October 18:31 Could This Be an NLCS Preview? 19:50 Could Milwaukee’s Shadows Impact Hitters? 22:47 Marietta Toyota 23:55 Final Thoughts Braves Central — presented by Marietta Toyota.

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