Is this season Bizzaro 2025?

TL;DR

The Atlanta Braves lead the NL East and have not lost a series this season, contrasting sharply with their struggles in 2025. Their performance metrics show significant improvement, raising hopes for a successful season.

Key points

Atlanta Braves lead the NL East without losing a series this season
Braves are outperforming their xwOBA by .008 points
Last season, Braves fell five games back after seven games

Atlanta BravesMiami MarlinsPhiladelphia PhilliesRonald Acuña

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 14: Shortstop Mauricio Dubon (14) of the Atlanta Braves in the dugout during the Tuesday evening MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins on April 14, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images 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.

Q&A

How are the Atlanta Braves performing compared to last season?

The Braves are currently leading the NL East and have not lost a series, a stark contrast to their performance last season when they fell five games back after the first seven games.

What metrics indicate the Braves' improvement this season?

This season, the Braves are outperforming their expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) by .008 points and rank second in batting average on balls in play (BABIP), compared to last year's fifteenth place.

What challenges did the Braves face last season?

Last season, the Braves lost their entire starting rotation by early June, which significantly impacted their performance.