The Atlanta Braves lead baseball in run differential in the opening weeks of the 2026 season. The team is off to an incredible start despite missing many key pieces. Atlanta fans couldn't have reasonably hoped for a better start and are now staring at a prime opportunity over the next week to take firm control of the National League East. As things currently stand, the Braves hold the division lead, 2.0 games ahead of the Miami Marlins and 2.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Fans paying attention know that the next six games come against these division rivals with two three-game series. It is a prime opportunity for the Braves to create a bit of space and take control of a division that pundits favored the Phillies or the New York Mets to control. Atlanta has a prime opportunity to give itself room to stumble and push both division foes in the rearview.
The Braves are yet to lose a series this season, with the lone blemish on the year being a road split with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Atlanta has the advantage of hosting both series at home, giving the team the chance to set the tone and remind the rest of the division that the path still goes through Atlanta.
Braves Have Golden Chance to Widen Division Lead with This Week's Matchups
Atlanta historically has dominated the division with 18 titles, five ahead of the Phillies and 16 ahead of the Mets. The past two seasons were a clear outlier and left many fans and pundits underestimating exactly how talented the Braves remain. While the team's hot start is already changing this perception, the next week can completely flip it and, more importantly, give the Braves margin for error.
It is an incredibly long season that will inevitably hit lulls while other teams in the division will hit hot streaks. The Braves giving themselves early room is important, as it allows the team to play aggressively and freely.
It is fun to consider exactly what heights this team might reach when fully healthy. Atlanta is missing a trio of starting pitches, their starting shortstop, and catcher Sean Murphy to begin the 2026 season.
Surprise contributors have stepped up to fill these voids and given the franchise its early division lead. One that has a chance to at least double over the next week if the franchise continues to win series and can take care of business against both Miami and Philadelphia. No question, it is as important a week as a team can have this early in the season as the Braves look to stretch their lead.
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