How Braves have upset expectations despite injury-plagued season

The Atlanta Braves have endured injuries to the pitching staff, and recently got hit by a tough setback in their everyday lineup. But here is how the Braves have upset expectations despite the injury-plagued season.

Amazingly, the Braves have the best record in Major League Baseball. They stand at 25-10 with a stunning 8.5-game lead over the second-place Marlins.

This start would have been impressive even without injury woes. So how have they been so good despite the setbacks?

The main answer is manager Walt Weiss

In four seasons with the Rockies (2013-16), the team never got off the ground. Four losing years cost Weiss his job. And he went into managerial purgatory for a decade.

But the Braves saw something different in the 62-year-old Weiss. The longtime bench coach got his second chance. And he’s off and running.

Weiss said the challenge was different this time around, according to Forbes.

“It’s a very different game in a lot of ways,” Weiss said earlier this season. “There’s a lot more information to deal with. But in many ways, you don’t have to change a whole lot. It’s still baseball.”

But Weiss said he learned from his Colorado days.

“At the end of my managing tenure, the last time is when the analytical era started to take root,” Weiss said. “But it’s very different in that aspect now. There’s a lot of information, a lot of technology that can help you prepare, help you win a game. At the same time, you have to pay attention to what the scoreboard’s telling you.

“I tell these guys not to get caught up chasing data down a rabbit hole every day when you show up here. It’s about winning the game.”

General manager Alex Anthopoulos said the Braves did their research on Weiss, according to ESPN.

“It is important for us to get it right,” Anthopoulos said. “It was a rare opportunity for us to really canvas the entire league, talk to as many people and do as much background work as we could. And ultimately, that search came back to Walt, and I couldn’t be more excited (about) his experience, his character, his work ethic. (It) is exactly what we want here.”

So what has Weiss had to overcome?

Braves have a tough list of injuries

When looking at the woes of the planned pitching staff, the Braves have done something special out of the gates.

The Braves haven’t had No. 2 starter Spencer Schwellenbach. He underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow in February. The team doesn’t have a firm timeline for his return. And there is caution, according to MLB.com.

“Any time pitchers go under the knife, there’s concerns,” Weiss said. “This is a young athletic guy and there’s not a lot of mileage on that arm. He was a college shortstop and didn’t pitch much in college. I think that’s in his favor. I’m hoping we see him some time in the second half. He’s a long ways out.”

Starter Hurston Waldrep underwent surgery before the season to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. If he stays on schedule, he could return in mid-to-late June.

And starter Spencer Strider made his 2026 debut on Sunday. He struggled with control, but struck out six batters in 3.1 innings.

Also, AJ Smith-Shawver, a 23-year-old right-hander, is recovering from Tommy John surgery to repair a torn UCL. His last appearance came on May 29, 2025. He’s hopeful for a summer return.

How does a team overcome such blows?

First, ace Chris Sale has been one of the best starters in MLB. He’s 6-1 with a 2.49 ERA. Another big factor has been Bryce Elder. He’s 3-1 with a 1.88 ERA.

That’s a 9-2 head start. Overall, the Braves’ top five starters have a combined mark of 15-5. Atlanta’s starting pitchers own the second-best ERA in baseball at 3.11.

It looks like Anthopoulos made the right decision to hold firm against panic trades, according to Audacy via sportstalkatl.com.

“We checked in,” Anthopoulos said, regarding the market for starting pitchers this offseason. “We checked prices and so on. We ultimately felt like with (the way) things were going — it wasn’t because we just didn’t have the money — we just didn’t believe in the deals.”

Part of the credit has to go to Braves pitching coach Jeremy Hefner. He has the staff minimizing walks, and his approach has been successful thus far.

Still, the biggest question the Braves face is whether they can keep this pace. It’s early May. Who’s to say the pitching staff will keep performing at this level? The history of the guys in the rotation says they won’t, outside of Sale. Even Strider is questionable based on how he pitched in 2025 (7-14 with a 4.45 ERA).

But perhaps Weiss has his thumb on the pulse and will keep things steady throughout the summer.