The Atlanta Braves have just completed a three-game series sweep against the Detroit Tigers, with a 7-0 shutout on Wednesday afternoon. Something exciting came out of this series, and it’s exactly what fans have been asking for: the Braves offense to finally start hitting again. The last two months have been dreadful for Atlanta’s bats, producing some of the worst hitting in the major leagues. Not long ago, the 20-win Chicago White Sox had scored more runs on the season than the Atlanta Braves. With all the offensive woes, it was nearly time to hit the panic button, especially with the Philadelphia Phillies pulling away with a once 10-game lead in the division on June 11th. However, it looks like the Braves offense has done an about-face in the last seven games.
Since June 13, Atlanta has won six of its last seven games, winning two series against the Tampa Bay Rays and the Tigers. Changes have been made recently with the injury to Michael Harris II. Players like Jarred Kelenic, Austin Riley, Matt Olson, and Ozzie Albies have stepped up. And of course, you can’t forget the newest addition to the dugout, Snitbear.
#BravesCountry, meet “Snitbear.” pic.twitter.com/hIMdFhJwGC
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 15, 2024
Braves Offense Finally Hitting Its Stride
The Last 7 Games
Able to salvage their series against the Baltimore Orioles with a 6-3 win in the finale, this seemed to be a turning point. Atlanta has scored 39 runs, hit 13 home runs, 15 doubles, and collected 68 hits in this stretch. These figures all rank in the top 10 in the major leagues. It’s exactly what has been needed and can be a promising sign of what can come for this offense after such a historic lineup last season. Also, the Braves are finally getting big contributions from players like Austin Riley. The man who signed the largest contract in Atlanta Braves history is no stranger to slow starts. However, this season was more alarming than usual.
Riley came into this stretch with only three home runs and slashing .220/.288/.618. This stretch has been a real heater for Riley, though. He has 10 hits, three home runs, eight RBI, seven runs, and a stellar .417 batting average, boosting his slash line to a more serviceable .246/.315/.719 in just seven games. Riley has been looking to get right since his two-week hiatus in May with left-side tightness. July is historically one of Riley’s best months in his career, so this may be the start of a real season-changing stretch.
Jarred Kelenic has been another major contributor to this stretch, arguably the biggest. Now having to be the leadoff man in the order with the Harris injury, he has shined. In five games at the top of the order, he has seven hits with two home runs and a total of 14 bases. Kelenic has even started a seven-game hitting streak during this hot stretch.
Other Key Contributors
Ozzie Albies has exactly a .300 batting average with nine hits, five RBI, and seven runs scored in the last seven contests. Albies’ most important hit in this stretch was his go-ahead solo home run against Shelby Miller, hitting the ball over the Chop House in the bottom of the eighth. Matt Olson has continued his solid run of hitting, adding to his month of May. Olson has eight hits and a home run in his last seven games.
Ozzie Albies gives the @Braves the lead in the 8th! pic.twitter.com/t3oZyTnRKK
— MLB (@MLB) June 18, 2024
On Wednesday, Braves fans were excited to see a big game from catcher Sean Murphy. The 2023 season has been a roller coaster for the All-Star catcher. Landing on the injured list in the very first game of the season against the Phillies, Murphy ended up missing two months. He went into this stretch slashing .119/.178/.392, which was shocking, to say the least. However, in his last seven games, he’s hit for a .269 batting average with seven hits, five RBI, and five runs scored, lifting his season slash line to .196/.250/.625. Obviously, he’s still not at the level at which Murphy knows he can perform, but if he can build off his 4-for-4 performance against the Tigers, in which he hit two home runs, it will not take long.
The Start of a Longer Run?
It is no secret that the biggest problem for the Braves this season has been their offense. Hopefully, sweeping the Tigers and taking two out of three against the Rays will ignite a run. Atlanta has already started chipping away at Philadelphia’s lead in the National League East. Now only seven games out of first place, the Braves have a real opportunity to make a run at eight straight NL East titles. With how the Braves pitching staff has performed so far this season, the offense will need to keep this run going.
Photo Credit: © Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
