Jeff Passan’s Braves admission will catch Dodgers’ attention

Despite an injury-plagued season for the Atlanta Braves, the team has come out and had a hot start to the 2026 season, with some wondering if they are one of the teams that can topple the Los Angeles Dodgers. Though there’s been a setback with Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. hitting the injured list (IL), it still doesn’t take away how well the team has been playing, with even Jeff Passan giving a bold declaration.

Passan was asked by Rich Eisen on his self-titled show about what is the story of the first month of the season, with the insider asking, “Who’s going to challenge the Dodgers?” this year. With Atlanta leading the MLB in runs scored and OPS, plus second in home runs, Passan believes the team should be talked about as one to contend, maybe with Los Angeles.

“I think we can look at the Atlanta Braves now, and say that this is a team, especially considering all the pitching injuries that they’ve had, that they’ve gone out there and done what they’ve done. They’ve got the best record in MLB right now. The offense looks like we expected it to, frankly, for the last couple of years, when they sort of floundered about,” Passan said.