By MIKE ROBERTS
This past week, the Atlanta Braves lost two out of three to the St. Louis Cardinals and, heading into Monday night’s contest, have won two of three in their current four-game series against the New York Mets. Atlanta is still one of the best teams in Major League Baseball, as it owns the top record (52-36) in the National League East and a three-game lead over the second-place Philadelphia Phillies.
Although their play has fallen off a bit, the Braves will have five representatives at the upcoming MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia. Here’s a snapshot look at each of Atlanta’s 2026 All-Stars.
Chris Sale
The Braves ace, Sale (9-6, 2.27 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) was named an All-Star for the 10th time (his third straight since joining the Braves) in his illustrious career. This isn’t surprising at all, as the 2024 NL Cy Young Award winner continues to deny Father Time at the age of 37. The Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout (12) is the only active player who has more All-Star selections than Sale. The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman (a former Brave) also has 10 selections.
Sale looked good in his most recent outing, Saturday against the Mets. He allowed seven hits, three runs and two walks while striking out three as the Braves crushed New York 14-3. Sale’s pitching has helped the Braves stay at the top of the NL East.
Ozzie Albies
While Albies (.272AVG., .770 OPS, 14 HR, 49 RBI, 1 SB) was selected as an All-Star for the fourth time in his career, this will be his first time as a starter. He’ll be the sixth second baseman in Braves history to start an All-Star Game, joining Connie Ryan (1944), Frank Bolling (1961), Felix Milan (1969), Martin Prado (2010), and Dan Uggla (2012).
The past two seasons were rough for Albies, who missed significant time in 2024 with a broken wrist and struggled last season; he already has nearly as many homers now as he had in all of 2025 (16). But 2026 has been a bounce-back year for the two-time Silver Slugger. Over his past five games heading into Monday’s meeting with the Mets, Albies has recorded five hits, two home runs, and three RBIs,
Drake Baldwin
Baldwin (.247 AVG., .769 OPS, 14 HR, 39 RBI, 1 SB) will start at catcher for the NL in the Midsummer Classic. This is his first All-Star selection, and it comes less than a year after he won the 2025 NL Rookie of the Year Award. He joins David Justice as the only players in franchise history to win Rookie of the Year honors and start an All-Star Game for the team. It’s a good thing when your name is mentioned in the same sentence as a legend like Justice.
Baldwin is also the third different Braves catcher to be selected to the All-Star Game within the past five years, joining Travis d’Arnaud (2022) and Sean Murphy (2023). Baldwin hasn’t hit it much since coming off the IL but he had a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth on Sunday, part of a wild ninth inning that saw the Braves score six runs before falling short 10-9.
Matt Olson
Freeman’s replacement at first base in Atlanta, Olson (.272 AVG., .876 OPS, 22 HR, 54 RBI, 2 SB), has proven to be a big-time performer for the Braves. Olson was named an All-Star for the fourth time in his career and the third time since joining the Braves in 2022. He’s serving as a power hitter for the Braves, currently ranking eighth in MLB with 22 homers this season. On Friday night, he blasted two home runs to power the Braves to a 5-3 victory over the Mets.
Raisel Iglesias
Last but not least is the Braves closer Iglesias (0-2, 1.53 ERA, 1.06 WHIP). The former Cincinnati Red and Angel is 36 years old and in his 12th season in the league, but this is the first All-Star selection of his career. It’s better late than never, right?
Iglesias has been almost untouchable this season. He has converted all 17 of his save chances this year, and his 35 consecutive saves represent the longest streak in Major League Baseball. Iglesias has teamed up with Robert Suarez (4-0, 0.56 ERA, 0.84 WHIP), who’s currently on the injured list, and Dylan Lee (4-0, 1.60 ERA, 0.66 WHIP) to form one of the league’s top bullpen trios.
Looking Ahead
A busy week for the Braves, who wrap their four-game set with the Mets tonight then hit the road: first for a three-game series at the Pittsburgh Pirates, starting Tuesday, and one Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Here’s a look at the upcoming schedule, including TV information and probable pitchers:
Monday, 7/6: 7:15 PM, BravesVision/MLB.TV, Freddy Peralta (NYM) (5-7, 4.81 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) vs. Reynaldo Lopez (ATL) (4-1, 3.31 ERA, 1.30 WHIP)
Tuesday, 7/7: 6:40 PM, BravesVision/MLB.TV, TBD (ATL) vs. Paul Skenes (PIT) (6-8, 3.62, 1.01 WHIP)
Wednesday, 7/8: 6:40 PM, BravesVision/MLB.TV, TBD (ATL) vs. Jared Jones (PIT) (1-1, 5.28 ERA, 1.38 WHIP)
Thursday, 7/9: 12:35 PM, BravesVision/MLB.TV, TBD (ATL) vs. Mitch Keller (PIT) (6-6, 5.02 ERA, 1.31 WHIP)
Friday, 7/10: 8:15 PM, Apple TV, TBD (ATL) vs. TBD (STL)
Saturday, 7/11: 7:15 PM, BravesVision/MLB.TV, TBD (ATL) vs. TBD (STL)
Sunday, 7/12: 2:15 PM, BravesVision/MLB.TV, TBD (ATL) vs. TBD (STL)