4 Braves who must set the tone for potential World Series run

TheAtlanta Braves clearly have legitimateWorld Series hopes as the franchise is in a great position heading into the playoffs and has both the offense and bullpen needed to get it done. However, there is no debating that things are going to have to fall into place with a handful of key players having the chance to wing what is a potentially late October run.

With this in mind, let's look at the most important pieces when it comes to an Atlanta run. This means looking at players who have been inconsistent that must be at their absolute best for the Braves to complete that hasn't been accomplished by the franchise since the 2021 season.

1. Ronald Acuna Jr.

Acuna has the highest ceiling of any player the Braves have rostered, but has dealt with consistent injuries and issues with the high fastball. With that said, when Acuna is at his best, the 2023 MVP offers a form of electric energy that is unmatched. Acuna lives for the big moments and is more than capable of going on a run that fuels the offense and takes pressure off the middle of Atlanta's lineup.

Already, the Braves have had an injury scare this past week, with Acuna missing a game due to an injury. For Atlanta to make a run Acuna must stay healthy and give the Braves the best version of the star .

2. Tyler Mahle

Prior to Mahle's previous start the right-hander had been unhittable at home. The Reds got to the starter and left a bit of concern when it comes to the clear plan to give the veteran the ball in the second game of a postseason series. There simply isn't another healthy option that the Braves can put on the mound and reasonably expect to buy their offense time to figure things out.

For a World Series run to happen, you're going to need a surprise option to emerge from the current rotation and Mahle seems the most likely option. Was the final start a sign of things to come or simply the outlier?

3. Austin Riley

The Braves have no shortage of contract busts with Jurickson Profar and Sean Murphy putting their names into the discussion. Spencer Strider's regression and inability to stay healthy leaves the right-hander in this conversation as well. However, it is Austin Riley who has been the most shocking bust in the 2026 season spending the bulk of the year hovering just above the Mendoza line.

Fans can quickly forgive and forget if Riley can find a way to turn the page on the weeks of inconsistency and be the best version of himself. The infielder returning to form would make Atlanta's lineup unquestionably elite and make a clear World Series push.

4. Raisel Iglesias

This is an obvious one with the closer having moments of dominance and stretches of putting Braves fans through it. The closer must be the dominant force he was in the early months of the season. Looking at the options in the rotation the bullpen is going to need to be a lockdown unit in October for the Braves to make a run.

Clearly, no player is more important to this effort than Iglesias, who is going to be getting the final outs in the most important games and facing a level of pressure only the most elite can live up to.

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