As the 2025 MLB season gets underway, the Atlanta Braves are emerging as a serious threat to the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to league insiders. A recent ESPN poll of 18 MLB executives and scouts saw seven pick Atlanta as the team most likely to topple the Dodgers this postseason—just ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies, who received five votes. The Braves are viewed as a well-balanced club with the perfect mix of veteran leadership, rising stars, and roster depth that could come together at the right time in October.
A major advantage for the Braves is their high-powered lineup and the potential return of key players like Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. A healthy roster could give them a late-season boost. As one American League executive put it, “If Strider and Acuña return at full strength later in the year, the Braves will be dangerous in October.”
The team’s offensive core—Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, and Matt Olson—gives Atlanta the ability to put up runs in clutch situations. Still, their pitching, especially the bullpen, remains a question mark early in the season and could be the deciding factor in a deep playoff run.
While the Braves didn’t make a splash in the offseason, there’s potential for impactful midseason trades. Some execs believe Atlanta is well-positioned to make moves at the trade deadline to strengthen their rotation or bullpen—moves that could elevate their World Series chances.
The National League is stacked with competition, but the Braves’ track record and overall talent keep them in the title conversation. If everything clicks, they may be the team best equipped to end the Dodgers’ reign and capture another championship.
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