The Atlanta Braves won the 2021 World Series without Ronald Acuna Jr., but they are unlikely to go all the way in 2026 unless the franchise pillar comes alive in the playoffs. He was hitting just .167 with a .485 OPS through his last 18 at-bats entering Tuesday's National League Division Series battle versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. One broadcaster is not worried, however.

“He's been okay in the postseason — he hasn't been the superstar yet — but we feel like his moment is coming. Sooner than later,” Braves color analyst C.J. Nitkowski told the “Foul Territory” podcast. “The thing I have been impressed with is he's not necessarily become a guy who's pressing. There are times you're watching at-bats and you know he wants to do something big, and you're thinking ‘man, he's going to chase here.' And he doesn't.

“He's been under control. It hasn't happened for him just yet… but nobody's worried about the health of Ronald Acuna Jr. {or} his ability to put up big moments here in the postseason.”

Ronald Acuña Jr. has wisely avoided pressing in big moments, and it's caught @CJNitkowski's eye…

"He hasn't been the superstar yet, but we feel like his moment is coming sooner rather than later." pic.twitter.com/AJSdOfJVi1

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) October 6, 2026

Players live and die by their approach in this sport, and if their process proves successful, the hits will come. The prodigiously talented Acuna believes he will deliver for the Braves when they need him most. Former MVP Award winners tend to be confident, and for good reason. He eventually erupted in the regular season, and fans are trusting him to do the same in October.

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Acuna has endured his struggles during this time of the year, however. He owns a .769 OPS through 34 playoff games, which is nearly 130 points lower than his career output. That still might be enough to help Atlanta move forward.

The 28-year-old right fielder is eying his first extra-base hit of the 2026 postseason during a pivotal Game 3 NLDS clash. Ronald Acuna Jr. is still finding ways to contribute, scoring a run in his four previous games, but one big knock could open the flood gates in Truist Park.