3 goals for Braves to keep their focus on in final three 2026 series

The Atlanta Braves have only three series left in the 2026 season, with three game slates against the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, and the Miami Marlins to close out the year. Atlanta remains in the driver's seat in the National League East and is within reach of one of the NL's top seeds, but will need a bit of help to be able to escape playing in the wildcard round. All of this adds up to every reason to continue to keep a close eye on Atlanta heading into the postseason.

With this in mind, let's look at the most obvious goals for Atlanta to help get the 2026 postseason off to a great start and perhaps set up a World Series run that would offer the fanbase needed excitement after recent postseason failures.

1. Keep Ronald Acuna Jr. Healthy

This is obviously not completely in control of the Braves, but basicmoves to help keep Acuna healthyare needed. Not asking too much of the 2023 MVP on the bases while also keeping him at DH as much as possible are great moves to lessen wear-and-tear and give you the best chance to keep the outfielder in the lineup over the final weeks of the season and into games that truly matter.

Acuna has made it clear how frustrating it was not to be able to contribute to the 2021 World Series run and his desire to contribute to a championship. This has shown up with heroics against the Philadelphia Phillies and a hot streak that serves as a reminder of just how important the hitter will be when it comes to making a postseason run.

2. Chris Sale Needs Extra Rest

The southpaw is going to open any postseason series and be expected to carry a heavy load. Being unable to rely on the rest of your rotation means the Braves are going to need a lot of innings from their bullpen in the rest of any series. Sale is carrying a load that, in many ways, is unfair to ask of a player at this stage of his career.

However, the starter is the ultimate gamer and will hold himself to an incredibly high standard, expecting to set the tone for any series and the rotation. With this in mind, it makes a lot of sense for the Braves to focus on the final series being an off week for Sale and allow the pitcher much-needed rest ahead of an important run.

3. Matt Olson's Streak Isn't More Important than Winning

Olson hasn't missed a game since joining the Braves, and the history around the games played has gotten a lot of attention. The counter to this is pointing out the decline in production over the last month at the plate. The question here for the Braves is what they are willing to sacrifice to accomplish the ultimate goal. Olson is needed at his very best, and this might mean ending the streak and shutting it down for just a bit to gain needed rest.

Even if the Braves don't want to be responsible for ending Olson's shot at history, you can start Olson and pull him early in the game, putting Dominic Smith at first to hand the star much-needed respite.

Add us as a preferred source onGoogle

Follow