What to Watch from the Braves in the Final Week of the Regular Season
With the Braves’ being eliminated from postseason contention this past Friday, the team’s 2025 season has come to an unceremonious end. This marks the first time the Braves won’t see a postseason berth since 2017. However, this does not mean that the season is over. There are many things to look forward to in the last week of the season.
Will Ha-Seong Kim be the Braves 2026 shortstop?
The Braves claimed Ha-Seong Kim off waivers from the Rays on September 1st. He quickly made his presence felt as he hit a three-run homer in his second game with the Braves in their win against the Cubs on September 3rd, becoming the first Braves’ shortstop to hit a homer this season. Since then, Kim has batted .311/.368/.426 while playing his usual Gold Glove-level defense. Kim has a $16 million player option this offseason; it is ultimately up to him if he wants to stay with the Braves next season. Yet a strong ending by the Braves might persuade him to stay another year.
Will Drake Baldwin win Rookie of the Year?
Drake Baldwin, the rookie catcher, is currently in a close race with Cubs pitcher Cade Horton for the ROTY. With veteran catcher Sean Murphy landing on the injury list, Baldwin has seen more playing time. Since September 9th, in 40 plate appearances, he has batted .225 with three homers and 11 RBI’s. While he has definitely struggled at the plate in terms of batting average, the pop and the clutch factor we have seen throughout the season are still there. This last week could make or break his opportunities for the award.
Can the Braves Play Spoiler to the Tigers?
The Braves have been playing a lot better in the past couple of weeks, made more apparent by their six-game winning streak. Can they keep that streak going and sweep the Tigers in a crucial series for them? It remains to be seen, but the stellar performances of Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, and Spencer Strider to end the season have helped the team remain afloat and keep hope for the 2026 season. By playing spoiler to the Tigers, the Braves can re-energize their team and establish themselves as a team to contend next year.
