Baseball history is weird. You’ve got the 1992 NLCS, Sid Bream sliding home, and a rivalry that basically defined an era. But honestly? If you’re still looking at the Pirates vs Atlanta Braves through the lens of the nineties, you are missing the actual story developing in 2026.
The script flipped.
Last season, 2025, was a bizarre reality check for both fanbases. We saw a Braves team that usually cruises into October finish 75-86. They were technically fourth in the NL East. Meanwhile, the Pirates, under new manager Don Kelly, actually held their own against Atlanta. They won the season series 4-2.
Think about that. The "lowly" Buccos took four out of six from a roster featuring Matt Olson and Ronald Acuña Jr.
The New Dynamic of Pirates vs Atlanta Braves
It’s about the arms. Everyone talks about the Braves’ rotation because, well, it’s Atlanta. You have Chris Sale and a recovering Spencer Strider. But the Pirates are quietly building a stable of "velocity monsters" that make Truist Park look small.
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Bubba Chandler is the name you need to know.
In September 2025, Chandler absolutely dismantled the Braves' lineup. He went 5.2 innings, gave up one run, and looked like he belonged. People forget he was a high-profile two-way prospect who finally committed to the mound. It’s working.
Atlanta, on the other hand, is dealing with the aftermath of a "gap year."
Spencer Strider’s 2025 was... complicated. Coming off that InternalBrace surgery, he posted a 4.45 ERA. That’s not the Strider we know. If the Pirates vs Atlanta Braves matchups in 2026 are going to swing back toward Georgia, Strider has to regain that "high-octane" life on his fastball.
Why the 2025 Season Series Changed Everything
Most experts expected the Braves to steamroll Pittsburgh. They didn't.
Pittsburgh took two of three at PNC Park in May. Then they went into Atlanta in late September and won the first two games of that series. Spencer Horwitz turned into a superstar for three days, hitting two homers in a single game on September 26.
It was frustrating for Atlanta.
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Matt Olson and Brian Snitker actually got ejected in the sixth inning of the September 27 game. Tensions were high. It wasn't just another late-season game for a team out of the hunt; it felt like a shift in power dynamics.
The Braves finished the year looking human.
Key Players to Watch in 2026
If you're betting or just following the 2026 schedule, keep your eye on Drake Baldwin. He’s the Braves' new "it" guy. He won NL Rookie of the Year in 2025, hitting .274 with 19 homers. He’s already ranked as the No. 96 player in the entire league by MLB Network entering this season.
He is the successor to the Sean Murphy/Travis d'Arnaud era.
- Drake Baldwin (ATL): The reigning ROTY. High OBP, power to all fields.
- Bubba Chandler (PIT): The ace-in-waiting. He’s the guy Braves hitters are starting to dread.
- Konnor Griffin (PIT): The super-prospect. He’s 19, fast, and might be the spark Pittsburgh needs to finally cross the .500 mark.
- Ha-Seong Kim (ATL): A huge free-agent addition for the Braves to stabilize the middle infield.
The Pirates' roster is younger. Much younger.
They have guys like Termarr Johnson and Jack Brannigan knocking on the door. It’s a "boom or bust" strategy. Atlanta is more "established excellence," even if 2025 was a massive outlier in their usually consistent trajectory under Alex Anthopoulos.
The Pitching Matchup Reality
Spencer Schwellenbach has become a legitimate anchor for Atlanta. He’s reliable. When you look at Pirates vs Atlanta Braves pitching matchups, you usually favor the Braves’ depth.
But Paul Skenes is still there.
Skenes is the equalizer. When he’s on the bump, it doesn't matter if the Braves have a $200 million payroll. He’s the type of pitcher who can shut down a lineup of All-Stars for seven innings without breaking a sweat.
The Pirates are no longer a "get right" series for the National League heavyweights.
What to Expect Moving Forward
The 2026 schedule is going to be a litmus test. Can the Pirates prove that 2025 wasn't a fluke?
Don Kelly has these guys playing a grittier style of baseball. They don't strike out as much as they used to. They run. They put pressure on the defense. Atlanta, conversely, relies on the long ball. When Olson and Riley are cold, the whole team feels it.
Honestly, the "Sid Bream" ghosts are finally fading.
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Fans in Pittsburgh are starting to care about the present instead of the heartbreak of thirty years ago. And Braves fans? They’re just hoping 2025 was a weird fever dream caused by injuries and bad luck.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the Velocity: If Bubba Chandler or Paul Skenes are starting, the Under is usually a safe bet.
- Monitor Strider's Stats: Look at his first three starts of 2026. If his velocity is sitting at 97-98 mph again, the Braves are back.
- Don't Ignore Drake Baldwin: He’s the real deal. Pitchers who haven't seen him much yet are getting punished for throwing him middle-in.
- Check the Lineups: The Pirates are mixing in a lot of youth. If Konnor Griffin gets the call-up before the first Braves series, expect a lot of stolen base attempts.
The era of the Braves dominating this matchup by default is over. It’s a dogfight now.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider. Their health literally dictates the ceiling for the Braves. For the Pirates, it's all about whether their "young core" can find consistency over 162 games.