Atlanta's 2025 season ended with a thud, as injuries and underperformance left the club out of the playoff hunt and staring at a long winter reevaluation. The Braves sit in 4th in the NL East at 62-76 with little time left to salvage 2025, and focus shifts to how 2026 can return them to title contention.

Michael Harris II has become the focal point of the rebuilding debate. Despite a shaky 2025, his 24-year-old profile and team-friendly contract keep him in Atlanta, and a late-season surge suggests real upside. The discussion pivots to how other veterans fare: Ozzie Albies, Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder all carry questions, with Elder the most likely candidate to be moved if a shakeup is needed. Ronald Acuña Jr. remains the cornerstone, but the path back to glory requires disciplined, targeted movement rather than wholesale overhauls.

Overall, the Braves’ road back starts with patience on Harris, cautious optimism around Albies and Strider, and a pragmatic eye on Elder as a trade asset—while keeping Acuña at the center of the lineup. The 2026 blueprint emphasizes sustainable development over panic trades.

Carson Kelly delivered Chicago’s clutch finish, tying the game with a two-run homer in the eighth and winning it with a single in the 10th as the Cubs toppled Atlanta 7-6. Ian Happ stitched a three-hit night with his 19th homer, while Dansby Swanson and Matt Shaw supplied key RBI hits in the comeback. Michael Harris II carried Atlanta with four RBIs, but Chicago’s late surge overcame a 6-1 deficit in front of a roaring Wrigley crowd.

Seiya Suzuki began the Cubs’ 10th on second, and Kelly’s liner sealed the victory. The win highlighted Chicago’s late-inning depth and could reshape fantasy lineups as Shota Imanaga and Joey Wentz prepare for the next matchup, with Chicago’s bullpen also factoring into the equation.

Quantrill vs Nola headlines a late-summer clash between Atlanta and Philadelphia. Quantrill (4-11, 5.50 ERA) faces Nola (2-7, 6.52) as Philly tries to halt a skid, while Michael Harris II carries August power (.320, 8 HR). Philly owns the season series 5-4 and has won three straight NL East outings when Nola starts. NBC lines show Phillies -194, Braves +161, total 9; the model leans cautious, with the Under flirting in Nola starts and a bullpen showdown looming.

For fantasy, Harris II looks like the optimal target in this park, while Quantrill’s volatility keeps him off the top DFS charts. Nola offers strikeout upside but risk against a deep Braves lineup. If you’re playing props, chase run expectancies late and watch bullpen matchups as the game unfolds.