Getty

Braves 30th win gives them major advantage in NL East.

On Wednesday, May 13, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in Major League Baseball to reach 30 wins with a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Regardless of whether the Braves lose the series finale against Chicago, they have already secured the series, having dropped only one all season.

The Braves are truly off to a historic season by every measure. They lead the league in multiple categories in both hitting and pitching. They own a plus-93 run differential, a .272 team batting average and a 3.06 ERA.

They are also in the midst of winning 20 of their last 26 games, which has given them the best record in baseball at 30-13.

It is clear the Braves are on a mission this season after missing the playoffs for the first time in seven years last year. And if history has a way of repeating itself, Atlanta could be hosting another World Series trophy in 2026.

Braves Join Exclusive Group Of Early World Series Winners

Bill Shanks of NBC WMGT 41 noticed something significant about the Braves’ lead in the National League East that will only increase the World Series hype in Atlanta.

“Just saw something interesting from last night’s #Braves postgame notes by the PR Staff,” Shanks said. “The last 3 teams to have at least an 8-game division lead by May 13: the 2017 Astros, 2016 Cubs & 2007 Red Sox: All won a World Series in that season. Braves lead the NL East by 9 games.”

Currently, every team in the NL East sits below .500, with the Washington Nationals in second place at 21-22. Not much was expected from the Miami Marlins, but the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets have been two of the biggest disappointments in baseball.

The Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson on April 28 after a 9-19 start. Meanwhile, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza remains in place despite New York owning one of the worst records in baseball at 17-25.

That said, it is still only May, and there is plenty of baseball left to play. The trajectory for the Braves and every other team in the NL East could change drastically over the next few months. Still, what Atlanta has accomplished while overcoming a slew of injuries has been incredibly impressive.

According to FanDuel, the Dodgers still have the best odds of winning the World Series at +190. The Braves are third behind the New York Yankees at +1000.

Walt Weiss Has Braves Playing Their Best Baseball

The Braves lost their lone series of the season to the Seattle Mariners, dropping two of three games. However, they responded by taking two of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers to close out their recent road trip.

They are now in the midst of a potential sweep of the Cubs, who entered the series battling Atlanta for the best record in baseball. Much of the credit is going to new manager Walt Weiss.

“Wow, he’s created the perfect chemistry,” MLB Network’s Mark DeRosa said.

DeRosa was referring to the way Weiss has assembled and utilized every part of this year’s Braves roster, from the starting rotation to the lineup to bullpen management.