The Braves are making a comeback this year! The team is making a statement in the MLB season so far. Since Opening Day, the Braves have a record of 10-7 (as of April 14), making them first in the National League East. This team stands as the only team left that hasn’t lost a series. People are comparing this year’s team to the 2023 team or even the World Series Champion team in 2021, but it may be too early to say.
The 2025 season for the Braves was supposed to be one of the best lineups of all time. With loaded young talent across the line-up and many long-term contracts, people thought they were a shoe-in for the playoffs. However, the team battled injuries throughout the season and ended with a below .500 record. Still, the team finished the season 4th in the NL East and barely made it to the playoffs, where the season ended for the Braves.
At the start of the 2026 season, the Braves have won 8 of their first 10 games and have a 10-7 record (as of April 16). To show the comparison, last year during the first couple of weeks of the 2025 season, the Braves started out 0-7 in their first 7 games, and throughout their first 17 games, they were 5-12. This year, starting out, they have the best ERA in baseball and are continuing to show that they are a team to look out for as they win more and more games. Due to the injuries the Braves have faced over the course of spring training, nobody would’ve expected them to be ranked high amongst the MLB, especially with their ERA. Their ace on the mound, Spencer Strider, became injured before the season began. He is a key part of the pitching rotation and a dominant force on the mound. Spencer made his first post-rehab appearance on April 16, throwing 40-45 pitches. He’s expected to make a comeback in early May (as of April 16). If Strider does not make a return, the Braves might have to fill the No. 5 spot in their starting pitching rotation or continue to rely on their bullpen, whose ERA is .82 (as of April 16).
The Pace community has a strong opinion about this season’s comeback for the Atlanta Braves. As many students and faculty are native to Atlanta, many are die-hard fans and are excited for this unstoppable season to come. Others are skeptical about the exciting start to the season and wonder if it will last. “Based on past seasons, I doubt this winning streak will continue, but I am hopeful,” said eleventh grader Ann Rosengren. Differing from this opinion, eleventh grader Eloise McDonald said, “I think the Braves will continue to win and have a much better season than last year.”
