The NL East leading Atlanta Braves, who have yet to lose a series this season, are five games atop their division. Last season, they fell five games back after the first seven games. This season so far they are outrunning their xwOBA by .008 points. Last year, they were behind .007. This year the Braves are second in BABIP compared to last year’s fifteenth.
Last night as FOX explained at great length, detail, and repetition without anyone asking or caring, the Braves scored three unearned runs in the third
inning without hitting it very well in that inning. I mean, the Braves out-xBAed the Phillies .194 to .148 for the game. They also picked up four walks to the Phillies’ one, so they likely out-xwOBAed them as well. Ronald Acuña sozzled a pitch barrled at 107.6 MPH, 33 LA, and .890 xBA in a stadium the size of a postage stamp with nothing to show for it. Felix Reyes’ home run weighed in at .170 xBA. So I don’t know if they really lucked into anything last night. Their pitching was simply outstanding.
But the feels around the Braves have turned a 180 on last season. So is this season the complete opposite of 2025? I’m down. 2025 was miserable. It can’t be too different. The Braves lost their entire starting rotation by the first week in June last year. This year they lost five starting pitchers in Spring Training. As long as the game results are the opposite of 2025, call us lucky or whatever. Just call us Division winners.
