Matt Olson Earns Recognition From MLB During Atlanta Braves Playoff Run

The Atlanta Braves have another reason to feel good about Matt Olson. Olson was named as a finalist for the 2026 Hank Aaron Award earlier this week for his performance during the regular season. The Braves announced his recognition on social media. "Congratulations to Matt Olson for being our 2026 Hank Aaron Award Finalist!" the team wrote.

Olson finished the regular season with a .251 average, .321 on-base percentage and .823 OPS, hitting 41 home runs and driving in 93 runs across all 162 games. It was his second career 40-homer season and left him tied for sixth in all of baseball in home runs.

He was one of the most consistent power threats in the NL all year. Olson helped Atlanta  finish with a 94-68 record and an NL East title under first-year manager Walt Weiss. Playing all 162 games while producing at that level in the middle of a playoff-caliber lineup is exactly what the Braves needed from him when they built this roster.

Atlanta is currently preparing for Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight at Truist Park. He has struggled early on in October, though.

Olson homered in Atlanta's 6-2 win over Philadelphia in the decisive Wild Card Game 3, helping the Braves advance to the Division Series. But he has not done much aside from that.

Through five postseason games he is 3-for-19 with one home run and three RBIs. The Braves will need more from him as the series continues, especially with the NLDS tied at one game apiece.

Atlanta dropped Game 1 to the Dodgers before bouncing back with a 3-2 win in Game 2 at Dodger Stadium. The series is now back at Truist Park, where Chris Sale is scheduled to start Game 3 against Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

It is one of the better individual pitching matchups of the entire postseason, and the Braves need their lineup to get to Yamamoto early. Although Yamamoto is one of the best pitchers in baseball, Olson will have the platoon advantage.

Olson has been a key part of this lineup since arriving from the Athletics before the 2022 season. He has 329 career home runs and won the 2023 NL home run title for the Braves. The Hank Aaron Award would add another accolade piece for him if he were to win it. However, there is going to be a ton of competition this year.

Individual awards come after the postseason ends. Right now the only thing that matters is Game 3, and whether Olson can be the difference-maker Atlanta needs.