Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley breaks a bat as he lines out during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) — The Atlanta Braves are back in the playoffs after missing out last season.
The first-place Braves beat the Houston Astros 6-2 on Friday night to punch their ticket to the postseason for the eighth time in nine years. They clinched at least a National League wild card and reduced their magic number to three for winning the NL East.
Michael Harris II, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson each hit a two-run homer to help the Braves bounce back after dropping two of three games to the Chicago Cubs this week.
Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr., right, celebrates with designated hitter Drake Baldwin after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Atlanta is trying to hold off the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East title and could wrap up the division crown as soon as Sunday. Atlanta’s win Friday night coupled with Philadelphia’s 6-3 loss to the Mets gave the Braves a five-game lead over the Phillies with eight to play.
If the Braves take the division, it will be their seventh NL East championship in nine years.
Atlanta’s return to the playoffs comes after a disappointing 2025 season in which the team went 76-86 and finished fourth in the division, snapping a streak of seven straight playoff appearances that included six consecutive NL East titles from 2018-23. That run was highlighted by beating the Astros to win the 2021 World Series
Friday’s victory gave the Braves 90 wins, marking the fifth time in the last eight full seasons that they’ve reached the mark. The only teams with more 90-win seasons in that stretch are the Dodgers with eight and the Brewers and Yankees with six apiece.
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