Braves Central Podcast

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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Chris Dimino and Barrett Sallee break down the biggest questions facing the Atlanta Braves with six weeks remaining in the regular season. AJ Smith-Shawver continues to dominate at Triple-A and could become a major factor in Atlanta’s postseason pitching plans, while questions remain about Robert Suarez, Spencer Schwellenbach and how the Braves will ultimately line up their October rotation. Plus, the guys discuss: • Why earning a first-round playoff bye could be huge for Atlanta • How the Braves should manage Chris Sale down the stretch • Austin Riley’s improved play since the All-Star break • Atlanta’s evolving options in left field and at shortstop • Ronald Acuña Jr.’s potential role at DH • Sean Murphy’s importance behind the plate • What to expect from Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks this weekend

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The Atlanta Braves are officially rolling. After winning eight straight games, sweeping the homestand and climbing to the second-best record in baseball, the Braves now head to Yankee Stadium for one of their biggest tests of the season. Chris Dimino and Barrett Sallee break down Atlanta’s turnaround, why this team was able to survive its brutal June stretch, the lingering questions about the starting rotation after the trade deadline and what this Yankees series could tell us about the Braves heading toward October. Plus: ⚾ Why the Braves’ clubhouse deserves credit for weathering the storm 🔥 Atlanta’s offense is finally clicking again 🤔 Did the Braves do enough at the trade deadline? 💪 Can the current rotation hold up in October? 🏟️ Braves vs. Yankees feels like postseason baseball in August 👀 Max Fried faces his former team 🏆 Why Atlanta has a legitimate World Series-caliber roster The Braves will see a loaded Yankees pitching staff in New York — and with October getting closer, this could be one of the best measuring sticks Atlanta gets all season. Subscribe to 680 The Fan for more Braves Central, Atlanta Braves analysis, interviews and reaction throughout the 2026 season.

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The MLB trade deadline is almost here, and the Braves have some major decisions to make.

Chris Dimino and Barrett Sallee break down:

• ⚾ Why the Nationals could be buyers instead of sellers
• 🔥 Is Austin Riley's slump forcing the Braves to consider bigger changes?
• 💪 Ronald Acuña Jr.'s return and what it means for Atlanta's offense
• 🎯 What the Braves should target before the trade deadline
• 🏆 Can this team make a deep postseason run with its current roster?

With the trade deadline just days away, every game matters. Catch the full Braves conversation and let us know what move Atlanta needs to make.

👇 Should the Braves add another bat, another starter, or both?

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The Braves head to Baltimore looking to keep their momentum rolling after taking the series from the Padres.

⚾ On this episode of Braves Central, Barrett Sallee and Chris Dimino break down:

• Chris Sale's dominant outing after a rocky start
• Dom Smith's massive three-run homer and why it could be a turning point
• The Braves' power surge in July
• Ronald Acuña Jr.'s expected return and what Atlanta should realistically expect
• Why the Orioles could become trade deadline sellers
• Which playoff matchup Dimino wants the Braves to avoid at all costs

Can the Braves carry this momentum into Baltimore and continue strengthening their playoff position?

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