When the Atlanta Braves' 2026 schedule was announced, it was hard to ignore that they started the season with 13 games in a row without a day off. Not all the news was bad, as the list of opponents wasn't particularly intimidating, which was a welcome sight for a Braves team coming off so many injuries and with some question marks early on. However, there was another wrinkle during this opening stretch that could prove to be very problematic.
So far, the Braves have navigated their early schedule about as well as could be reasonably expected. Despite their failed attempt to get away with starting Jose Suarez against the A's, the Braves find themselves at 4-2 despite not being at full strength. Drake Baldwin is playing out of his mind, and Atlanta's somewhat patchwork rotation has largely been extremely solid.
All of that is about to be put to the test. While their series against the Royals and A's went well, the Braves now have to weather a seven-game west coast (well, sorta) road trip. If history is any indication, that could prove to be quite the obstacle.
Braves to embark on west coast road trip, starting with a hot Diamondbacks team in a massive early test
From the start of the Braves' recent run of success, west coast road trips have been problematic for Atlanta. While other East Coast teams have struggled with long road trips, the Braves' struggles have seemed, at least anecdotally, to have been particularly rough. Just last season, the dumpster fire that was the start of the 2025 season began with a three-game road sweep at the hands of the Dodgers.
Fortunately, Atlanta doesn't have to deal with the Dodgers or any other elite team on this trip. They start a four-game series against Arizona on Thursday, who have won three games in a row, but who also got swept to start the season (also by the Dodgers, as it turns out), and who have some questions on both sides of the ball. Next up is a three-game set against the Angels, who shouldn't be a problem, at least in a vacuum and ignoring the West Coast factor, for Atlanta to handle before they finally get a day off.
At this point, it is on the Braves to write their own narrative. There is a very real chance that this will be just the latest Braves team to falter when they travel out west. However, this is a new year with a new manager and a determined roster. If we see Atlanta play well on this trip and get to their first day off unscathed, the Braves could put together quite the run this season, especially as they get more and more healthy.