{"id":122953,"date":"2026-05-28T13:53:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T17:53:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=122953"},"modified":"2026-05-28T13:53:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T17:53:22","slug":"atlanta-braves-are-winners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/05\/28\/atlanta-braves-are-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"Analyzing the Braves’ Hot Start"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Atlanta Braves, without a shadow of a doubt, have been the best team in Major League Baseball (37-19), as they hold a game and a half lead over the Tampa Bay Rays for the best record in baseball. The Atlanta Braves’ dominance this season has come with most of their regulars spending time on the injured list<\/a>, which they’ve proven they can overcome thanks to their depth.<\/p>\n

Analyzing the Braves’ Hot Start<\/h2>\n

\"Braves<\/p>\n

Players like infielder Jorge Mateo were one player who stepped up when shortstop Ha-Seong Kim<\/a> was on the injured list. In 33 games this season, Mateo has batted .313 with a .806 OPS, two home runs, 20 hits, and six stolen bases (caught once). Regulated to being a bench bat, Mateo had two hits (four at-bats) after not collecting a hit in four games.<\/p>\n

Receiving production from every facet of the roster, the Braves were labeled “winners” of the major leagues two months into the season.<\/p>\n

Past the first milepost of the major league season, the Braves have been dubbed “winners” of the season thanks to their stars performing well. The Braves have rebounded well after going under .500 last season (76-86) for the first time in nearly a decade (2017, 72-90) and missed the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons (2018 to 2024, with a World Series win in 2021).<\/p>\n

According to Bleacher Report’s<\/a> Tim Kelly, with first baseman Matt Olson (.888 OPS) playing to an MVP level, left-hander Chris Sale (1.89 ERA, 0.89 WHIP) looking like he can win his second Cy Young Award in two seasons, and designated hitter Dominic Smith (.861 OPS) proving to be a great under-the-radar signing, are showing why the Atlanta Braves<\/a> are a favorite to win another World Series.<\/p>\n

Kelly writes:<\/p>\n