Atlanta Braves Own a Weird Piece of Baseball History in the Last Decade

You think that there's still a lot of time left in the baseball season? The last decade of information says that the first series out of the break really does matter if you want to win the World Series.

Yes, there's technically still plenty of time left in the baseball season.

But historically, this very first series after the All-Star break actually owns a great deal of meaning.

Per ESPN Stats & Info:

Major League Baseball kicks back off tonight, and contenders should not take their next few games lightly. 

In the last 10 seasons with an All-Star Game (no game in 2020), the only eventual World Series champion that lost its first series after the break was the 2021 Braves.

Major League Baseball kicks back off tonight, and contenders should not take their next few games lightly.

In the last 10 seasons with an All-Star Game (no game in 2020), the only eventual World Series champion that lost its first series after the break was the 2021 Braves. pic.twitter.com/xT1FglswK5

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 14, 2023

That's truly amazing, and good for the 2021 Braves for bucking the trend. That Braves team went on to make several moves at the trade deadline and eventually beat the Houston Astros in the World Series.

As for the teams over .500 right now, and their first series:

Seattle Mariners (45-44) vs. Detroit Tigers

Philadelphia Phillies (48-41) vs. San Diego Padres

San Francisco Giants (49-41) at Pittsburgh Pirates

Miami Marlins (53-39) at Baltimore Orioles (54-35)

Arizona Diamondbacks (52-39) at Toronto Blue Jays (50-41)

Los Angeles Dodgers (51-38) at New York Mets

Milwaukee Brewers (49-42) at Cincinnati Reds (50-41)

Atlanta Braves (60-29) vs. Chicago White Sox

Boston Red Sox (48-43) at Chicago Cubs

Cleveland Guardians (45-45) at Texas Rangers (52-39)

Tampa Bay Rays (58-35) at Kansas City Royals

New York Yankees (49-42) at Colorado Rockies 

Houston Astros (50-41) at Los Angeles Angels

The most interesting part of the schedule for these first series's is that the Cincinnati Reds are playing the Brewers again. The Reds lead the Brewers by one game in the National League Central, and the two teams just played each other right before the break.

Also, Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound for the Angels tonight against the Astros, so that's always must-watch.

Follow Fastball on FanNation in social media

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.You can also subscribe to "The Payoff Pitch" podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.