The Atlanta Braves couldn't have asked for more out of starting pitcher Bryce Elder thus far. The 26-year-old now has a 2.01 ERA over 10 starts this season after allowing three runs over eight innings in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

Elder allowed just one baserunner over the first three innings before Masataka Yoshida tied the game 1-1 with a sacrifice fly in the fourth. The 2023 All-Star then didn't allow another baserunner until the sixth and made it through seven without giving up any more runs.

However, Willson Contreras smacked a two-run, 426-foot homer to left center in the eighth that put Boston up 3-2, which was the game's final scoring play. Elder earned the loss despite his quality outing, giving him a 4-2 record.

Atlanta had one of baseball's best starting rotations coming into the season, but now it's even better than expected. Ace Chris Sale ranks seventh in MLB with a 1.96 ERA while Elder is ninth.

Additionally, No. 2 starter Spencer Strider returned from an oblique injury on May 3 after starting the season on IL. The 27-year-old is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA over three starts and is 40-24 with a 3.70 ERA across 93 career appearances (80 starts).

That gives the Braves an elite trio at the top of the rotation, and their back-end starters are serviceable as well. Right-hander Grant Holmes is 2-1 with a 4.35 ERA across eight starts and is 8-11 with a 3.93 ERA over 56 career outings (36 starts), while rookie JR Ritchie is 1-0 with a 3.32 ERA over four starts.

It's no coincidence that Atlanta tops baseball with a 2.99 team ERA and leads MLB with a 31-15 record. Entering the Los Angeles Dodgers' matchup with the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night, the Braves and Dodgers were also tied for the fewest runs allowed (152). Meanwhile, Atlanta's plus-91 run differential also tops MLB.

The Braves haven't allowed more than three runs in a game since their 5-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners on May 4, and they'll likely maintain baseball's best record if their pitching staff keeps performing at that level. Up next is a rubber match with the Red Sox on Sunday before hitting the road to face the Miami Marlins. After that, they'll return home to host the Washington Nationals.

Sunday's game starts at 1:35 p.m. ET at Atlanta's Truist Park.