The Atlanta Braves have started the season with the worst record in baseball. They are the only team in Major League Baseball without a win and that's not something anyone expected.
Yes, starting the season on the West Coast against two of the best teams in baseball was always going to be tough. But there's no way anyone in the Braves clubhouse could have predicted a start this bad. Going into your home opener without a win doesn't exactly excite the fan base.
While the Braves have struggled to find a win, the Padres and Dodgers are both undefeated. There's no question the Dodgers are the favorites to win their division but the Padres may have something to say about that.
Braves having better playoff odds than the Padres is hilariously optimistic
Strangely, Fangraphs has the Braves at better odds to win their division and make the playoffs than the Padres. Right now Atlanta is listed at a 32.7% chance to win the division and 70.2% chance of making the playoffs. It's absurd to believe that's possible with this season's origins.
San Diego has a 6% chance of winning their division and that's expected when you share a division with the Dodgers. They're the favorite to win the NL West almost every season. As for the Padres' playoff odds, they have a 54% chance to make it to the postseason.
Do you know how many teams started a season 0-7 and made the postseason? Blah, blah, blah!
— CJ (@CJNitkowski) April 4, 2025
Do you know how many teams have had losing streaks in a season of 7 or more games and still made the postseason?
85.
Including 3 such streaks last year and 4 in 2023 (TEX 8G, ARI 9G and…
Both clubs couldn't be in different places at this moment. San Diego is 7-0 and Atlanta is 0-7. It's laughable that the Braves should have a better chance at winning their division than the Padres. However, this points to how things can change quickly during the season.
The Braves have plenty of talent and they could easily turn things around. However, the Padres look absolutely locked in right now while Atlanta appears overmatched.
Atlanta's home opener on Friday allows them to show fans they still have what it takes. Fans are right to be frustrated with the apparent lack of spending and on-field success. 2025 was supposed to be a reprieve from the disaster that was 2024, but it's just been more of the same.
Getting back in front of the home crowd will hopefully give them the boost they've needed. Sean Murphy and Spencer Strider should be returning soon. Ronald Acuna Jr. still seems to be a month away but there are things to be excited for. But for now, it's time to get that first win.