Braves Prove They're True Contenders in Series Win Over Dodgers

It felt like a postseason series down at SunTrust Park this past weekend in front of sellout crowds, as Atlanta won two out of three against the Los Angeles Dodgers, making it the first time since 2015 where the Braves beat the Dodgers in a series.

Now, the Braves had to grind it out and rely on some new faces to win both games on Saturday and Sunday, but that's what you'll have to do when October roles around.

This series win was a sign that the Braves have to be taken seriously as a true contender in the National League.

While the Braves didn't have to face Clayton Kershaw or Walker Buehler, they did stick it to MLB's ERA leader Hyun-Jin Ryu for four runs Saturday. That's not something to gloss over.

Oh, and they did this with their best player, Freddie Freeman, going 0-for-12 with five strikeouts over the three games.

A battered and bruised Braves team, who is without Nick Markakis, Dansby Swanson, Austin Riley and Ender Inciarte, defeated the best team in the National League. I don't know many teams who can be this undermanned to go along with an up-and-down pitching staff win a series against the defending NL champs.

The Braves win by total group efforts, highlighted this weekend by Rafael Ortega's grand slam, not just star players carrying the team on their backs. They may not be the best team in the NL, but they proved that they have what it takes to make a long October run.