The Atlanta Braves may have stumbled against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, losing 5-2, but don't let one tough game fool you—this team is on fire. With a 22-10 record to kick off the 2026 MLB season, the Braves are proving they know how to win, and a lot of that credit goes to their new manager, Walt Weiss.

Taking over a squad that faced plenty of questions this spring, Weiss has stepped into the role with confidence and poise. Before Thursday's game, he joined MLB Network to share what's driving the team's early success. "I know this team like the back of my hand," Weiss said. "I took over a team here that was built to win."

And built to win they are—but it hasn't been without challenges. The Braves entered spring training with high hopes, only to see key players like Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach go down with injuries. Add in Jurickson Profar's season-long suspension for PEDs, and the hurdles were clear. Coming off a forgettable 2025 campaign, uncertainty loomed large. Yet here they are, one of the hottest teams in baseball.

Of course, the players deserve plenty of praise for stepping up, but Weiss's impact shouldn't be overlooked. New managers often face a rocky transition, especially when taking over a team with high expectations. Weiss, who previously served in a different role with the Braves, had to prove he could lead from the dugout. So far, he's doing exactly that, bringing stability and a winning mindset to a club that needed both.

There's still a long season ahead, and the Braves know they can't afford to ease up now. But with Weiss at the helm and a roster that's buying into his vision, this team looks ready to keep pushing. As he put it, "I know this team like the back of my hand." And right now, that familiarity is paying off in a big way.