HOUSTON — The Atlanta Braves are NL East champions once again, officially securing the division title Sunday with a 4-2 victory over the Houston Astros at Daikin Park.
The win completed a three-game sweep in Houston and gave Atlanta its seventh NL East championship in the past nine seasons. The Braves had already secured a postseason berth on September 18, but Sunday’s victory guaranteed they would enter October as division champions.
Yastrzemski Delivers the Big Swing
Atlanta entered the sixth inning trailing Houston 1-0 before the offense finally broke through.
Ozzie Albies brought home the Braves’ first run with an RBI single before Mike Yastrzemski delivered the biggest hit of the afternoon. Yastrzemski launched a three-run home run that put Atlanta ahead 4-1 and ultimately provided the difference in the game.
Houston managed another run in the eighth inning, but Atlanta’s pitching staff prevented the Astros from completing a comeback.
Dylan Dodd took the mound for the ninth and struck out all three batters he faced, recording his second save and officially starting the Braves’ division-title celebration.
Braves Complete Impressive Return to the Top
The championship represents a major turnaround after Atlanta missed the postseason in 2025 with a 76-86 record. The Braves returned to the playoffs this season for the eighth time in nine years, reclaiming their familiar position near the top of the National League.
Atlanta spent most of the 2026 season controlling the NL East. According to MLB, the Braves moved into first place on April 8 and never surrendered the division lead. The accomplishment came despite injuries and roster challenges throughout the season.
Stars including Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson and Chris Sale have played major roles in the team’s success, while contributions from players throughout the roster helped Atlanta navigate injuries and maintain its division lead.
The Braves’ pitching depth also proved important. Martin Pérez helped keep Atlanta in Sunday’s clinching game, while Victor Mederos escaped a bases-loaded situation in the fifth inning before the offense took control.
Atlanta Turns Its Attention to October
With the NL East secured, Atlanta can now focus on preparing for postseason baseball.
The division championship is Atlanta’s 24th since divisional play began in 1969, tying the Braves with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the most during that span.
The Braves have six regular-season games remaining following Sunday’s clincher, including a home series against Cincinnati before finishing the regular season in Miami.
Atlanta’s last World Series championship came in 2021, when the Braves defeated the Astros. Five years later, the organization is headed back to October with another NL East title and another opportunity to compete for a championship.
(Photo by Joe Buvid/Getty Images)
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