Braves emerge as MLB’s best team with dominant start and unbeaten series streak originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Braves putting everybody on notice. Through the early stretch of the 2026 campaign, Atlanta has firmly established itself as the best team in baseball, combining elite offense, resilient pitching, and remarkable consistency. With an overall record of 20–9, the Braves have yet to lose a single series—an impressive feat that underscores both their depth and their dominance.
What makes this run even more compelling is how sustainable it appears. Atlanta currently leads Major League Baseball in runs scored while ranking second in runs allowed, a balance that few teams can match. Even more impressive, they’ve achieved this despite dealing with multiple key injuries and a relatively slow start from superstar Ronald Acuña Jr..
Rather than falter, the Braves have found contributions across the roster. Players like Dom Smith have stepped up in a big way, even if some regression is expected. Meanwhile, pitchers such as Bryce Elder have delivered standout performances, helping stabilize a staff that has battled injuries.
Reinforcements are also on the way. The anticipated returns of Spencer Strider, Sean Murphy, and Ha-Seong Kim from the injured list could elevate this team to another level. Their presence will only strengthen an already dangerous lineup and pitching rotation, making Atlanta an even more formidable force in the National League East.
The Braves’ bullpen has also been a major factor in their success. The late-inning combination of Raisel Iglesias and Robert Suarez has been nearly untouchable, while arms like Dylan Lee and Tyler Kinley provide additional depth and reliability.
Even with challenges such as pitching injuries and Jurickson Profar’s season-long suspension, Atlanta has not skipped a beat. Their ability to win consistently without a fully healthy roster speaks volumes about their roster construction and organizational strength.
At this point, the Braves look like the team to beat—not just in the NL East, but across all of baseball. And as they continue to get healthier, their ceiling may be even higher than what we’ve seen so far.