Smoltz Picks Dodgers Over Braves for 2026 Pennant

Hall of Famer John Smoltz has predicted the Los Angeles Dodgers will win the 2026 National League pennant, choosing them over his former team, the Atlanta Braves. Smoltz noted that while the Braves are currently the healthiest team in baseball and lead the NL with a 42-20 record as of early June 2026, he favors the Dodgers' assembled roster.

The Dodgers, who are 40-22, are pursuing a rare three-peat. Their lineup features stars like Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, and Tucker, supported by a strong rotation including Yamamoto, Glasnow, Sasaki, and Ohtani.

Despite the Dodgers' roster strength, the Braves are outperforming them on the field. Under first-year manager Walt Weiss, Atlanta has experienced a significant turnaround from their 76-86 record last year. Chris Sale has been a standout pitcher with a 2.02 ERA and eight wins. The team has shown resilience, continuing to produce runs even after losing catchers Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy to injuries in May.

While the Dodgers possess a stronger roster on paper, the Braves have a better current record and fewer injury concerns. Their team chemistry appears strong, with a belief that last year's struggles were an anomaly. If the Braves can stay healthy and make strategic additions at the trade deadline, Smoltz's prediction for October could potentially change.