The Atlanta Braves, without a shadow of a doubt, have been the best team in Major League Baseball (37-19), as they hold a game and a half lead over the Tampa Bay Rays for the best record in baseball. The Atlanta Braves’ dominance this season has come with most of their regulars spending time on the injured list, which they’ve proven they can overcome thanks to their depth.
Analyzing the Braves’ Hot Start
Players like infielder Jorge Mateo were one player who stepped up when shortstop Ha-Seong Kim was on the injured list. In 33 games this season, Mateo has batted .313 with a .806 OPS, two home runs, 20 hits, and six stolen bases (caught once). Regulated to being a bench bat, Mateo had two hits (four at-bats) after not collecting a hit in four games.
Receiving production from every facet of the roster, the Braves were labeled “winners” of the major leagues two months into the season.
Past the first milepost of the major league season, the Braves have been dubbed “winners” of the season thanks to their stars performing well. The Braves have rebounded well after going under .500 last season (76-86) for the first time in nearly a decade (2017, 72-90) and missed the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons (2018 to 2024, with a World Series win in 2021).
According to Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly, with first baseman Matt Olson (.888 OPS) playing to an MVP level, left-hander Chris Sale (1.89 ERA, 0.89 WHIP) looking like he can win his second Cy Young Award in two seasons, and designated hitter Dominic Smith (.861 OPS) proving to be a great under-the-radar signing, are showing why the Atlanta Braves are a favorite to win another World Series.
Kelly writes:
- Matt Olson is having his best season since finishing fourth in NL MVP voting in 2023. He leads baseball in doubles, while having racked up 15 home runs and 44 RBI.
- Dominic Smith is experiencing a career resurgence, as he’s posted a .897 OPS against right-handed pitching.
- Chris Sale continues his March towards Cooperstown, as he’s got a minuscule 1.89 ERA to show for his first 10 starts of the season.
- Bryce Elder is likely headed for his second career All-Star appearance, as he’s pitched to a 1.97 ERA over 11 outings.
- Raisel Iglesias is 9-for-9 on save attempts, having allowed just two runs over 16.2 innings pitched (1.08 ERA).
The Aug. 3 Trade Deadline Will Be Key for the Atlanta Braves.
With the trade deadline not too far off, the Braves have a few areas where they will need to add to make their roster more sound. One area would be at catcher, as both catchers, Drake Baldwin (strained right oblique muscle) and Sean Murphy (fractured left middle finger), are on the injured list.
Baldwin’s return timeline remains unknown, while Murphy’s estimated return is in early July. Given this, the Braves will be a team in the market for another catcher and are likely kicking themselves for letting catcher Joan Heim go to the Athletics on May 4.
The market for quality catchers is limited, but one player who could fit the Atlanta Braves would be Houston Astros catcher Christian Vazquez. Vazquez would bring another solid bat to a strong lineup, batting .257 with a .726 OPS, four home runs, and 17 RBI, while also being a solid defender (19 defensive runs saves in 30 games).
Main Photo Credits: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
