After a year riddled with injuries and other complications, including the suspension of a star slugger, the Atlanta Braves appear to have found their chop again in 2026. 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. 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’s look at how the chop has returned in Atlanta this season.

The Braves Have Their Chop Back Early This Season
Don’t Forget About the Pedigree

The Braves had a down year in 2025 and an early playoff exit in 2024. However, we can’t forget the nucleus of six straight division crowns and a 2021 World Series title still lies in Atlanta. This franchise won 100+ games in both 2022 and 2023. When you have a lineup with names like Acuna, Albies, Riley, Olson, and Harris, 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 Sale that heads their rotation.

Gotta Love the Drake

Ironically, the member of the Atlanta Braves bringing the most chop on offense is second-year phenom Drake Baldwin. Last year’s National League Rookie of the Year isn’t experiencing a sophomore slump … at least not yet. This catcher currently leads the Senior Circuit in runs (28) and hits (37), and he isn’t 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 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.

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

Just 29 games into the season, #Braves Matt Olson and Drake Baldwin have combined for 15 homers and 50 RBIs.

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.

— David O’Brien (@DOBrienATL) April 26, 2026

Sale-ing Away

Chris Sale, at the age of 37, has been lights out so far in 2026. The ace of the Braves is 5-1 with a 2.31 ERA, 38 strikeouts, and a 0.91 WHIP. Keep in mind that the other projected big horses in the Atlanta rotation, Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider, haven’t pitched at all this season. In their place, Bryce Elder and Grant Holmes have given the Braves several solid outings. In the pen, the two-headed monster of Raisel Iglesias, now on the injured list, and offseason signing Robert Suarez has given the team essentially multiple options at closer.

Is the NL East Already Locked Up?

The Braves have the best record in baseball at the moment (20-9). In the NL East, the Braves have a 6 1/2 game cushion over the second-place Marlins. More importantly, they are 10 1/2 up on both the Mets and Phils, both considered top contenders in MLB … at least they were a month ago. After a month of baseball, you certainly have to feel good if you’re a fan down in Atlanta.

 

Main Photo Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images