{"id":120471,"date":"2026-04-26T23:58:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T03:58:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=120471"},"modified":"2026-04-26T23:58:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T03:58:36","slug":"braves-chop-has-returned-early-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/04\/26\/braves-chop-has-returned-early-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"The Chop Has Returned in Atlanta"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a year riddled with injuries and <\/span>other complications, including the suspension of a star slugger<\/a><\/span>, the <\/span>Atlanta Braves<\/span> appear to have found their chop again in 2026. <\/span>The Bravos have opened up a nice April cushion in the National League East, sitting at 20-9 and leading the second-place Miami Marlins by 6 1\/2 games<\/span>. With both the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies floundering at the moment, the Braves are in a prime position to reclaim their spot atop the division throne. Albeit a small sample size, let\u2019s look at how the chop has returned in Atlanta this season.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Braves Have Their Chop Back Early This Season<\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t Forget About the Pedigree<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Braves had a down year in <\/span>2025<\/span><\/a> and an early playoff exit in <\/span>2024<\/span><\/a>. However, we can\u2019t forget the nucleus of six straight division crowns and <\/span>a 2021 World Series title<\/a><\/span> still lies in Atlanta. This franchise won 100+ games in both 2022 and 2023. When you have a lineup with names like <\/span>Acuna<\/span>, <\/span>Albies<\/span>, <\/span>Riley<\/span>, <\/span>Olson<\/span>, and <\/span>Harris<\/span>, your team is always dangerous. The last two years have seemed to make some fans forget about the abundance of talent in Fulton County. Oh yeah, they also have some guy named <\/span>Sale<\/span> that heads their rotation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gotta Love the Drake<\/b><\/h2>\n

Ironically, the member of the Atlanta Braves bringing the most chop on offense is second-year phenom <\/span>Drake Baldwin<\/a><\/span>. Last year\u2019s National League Rookie of the Year isn\u2019t experiencing a sophomore slump \u2026 at least not yet. This catcher currently leads the Senior Circuit in runs (28) and hits (37), and he isn\u2019t far behind the lead in RBI (25) and total bases (62). That pairs nicely with a .311 batting average and a .909 OPS. He even tied a franchise record<\/a> by scoring a run in the first seven games of the season. If this keeps up, this Brave may add an MVP trophy to his mantle.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Besides that, veterans Ozzie Albies<\/a>, Michael Harris II<\/a>, and Matt Olson<\/a> have found their prime strokes again. They are producing power numbers and clutch hits for the fans in Atlanta. <\/span>That has led to the Braves being a top-three MLB team in many important offensive team stats<\/span>. Interestingly, the team is doing this with stars Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr.<\/a> and Austin Riley<\/a> off to rather slow starts.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Just 29 games into the season, #Braves<\/a> Matt Olson and Drake Baldwin have combined for 15 homers and 50 RBIs.<\/p>\n

Through 6 innings today, Olson leads the NL with 20 extra-base hits and 12 doubles. He has 8 homers and is hitting .298 w\/ a .991 OPS.<\/p>\n

\u2014 David O’Brien (@DOBrienATL) April 26, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n