Despite each of the past three seasons ending in first-round exits, Atlanta Braves fans have every reason to believe they are World Series contenders. It is easy to argue a lot of Atlanta's failures are simply due to poor injury luck and teams getting hot at the right time. While these could be viewed as excuses, they remain valid for a team whose window still hasn't closed.
It has been three years since Atlanta lifted the trophy but the talent and core remain. With this in mind, let's look at the team's biggest rivals and threats in the National League heading into the 2025 season.
1. Philadelphia Phillies
How many Braves fans, if given the choice, would choose to face a loaded Dodgers roster over this Philly team? It might seem an absurd question, but Atlanta fans understand the mental hurdle this team has been in recent seasons. The Braves have zero problems contending with the Phillies in the regular season and often appear to be the better team.
Philly fans will be quick to point to the team's 2022 and 2023 first-round exits at the hands of the Phillies. There is simply something about this team that perfectly matches up against Atlanta come postseason time. The energy of Bryce Harper and the leaders in that clubhouse must be respected and matched if you're going to have a chance.
Not only are the Braves looking to overcome this, but the Phillies took the National League East from the injury-riddled Braves. The Mets will always inspire a certain level of hate in Atlanta but when it comes to rivals, no one is more universally detested among Braves fans than the Phillies. If the Braves are going to go on another run, they have to prove they can beat this team when it matters most. The talent is and has been, it is the execution that has remained elusive.