The first half of the 2024 season for the Atlanta Braves has been quite different from the 2023 season’s first half. Atlanta was 31 games over .500 at the All-Star break a year ago. Eight Braves punched their tickets to Seattle as All-Stars and were favorites to win the World Series. This season has been rather disappointing overall so far, even with Atlanta being 11 games over .500. Still in the first wild card spot, expectations are definitely falling short. With the struggles of Atlanta’s offense in 2024 well-documented, pitching has been the catalyst of the club. However, there are a few moves that could be made to bring back a lively pulse to Atlanta’s World Series or bust mentality that they had in Spring Training.
Keys To A Successful Braves Second Half
Addressing The Outfield
The Braves have used Adam Duvall as their primary right fielder since Acuña tore his knee in May, and left field has been a revolving door since the injury to Michael Harris II in June. All options have been a struggle outside of Jarred Kelenic in center field. With Harris coming back in early August, moving Kelenic back to presumably left field, something needs to be done with the third outfield spot. Duvall, hitting .192 with a .585 OPS, and Eddie Rosario, hitting .180 with a .536 OPS., will continue contributing to the already struggling offense.
Fixing this issue could be done via trade. With Acuña, Harris, and Kelenic being signed for multiple years, they will presumably be the regular outfield. The Braves will likely look for an outfielder on an expiring contract who won’t cost multiple top prospects. Some names that have been rumored to the Braves are players like, Tommy Pham of the White Sox. Cody Bellinger of the Cubs, as well as Jesse Winker of the Nationals.
Keeping The Starting Rotation Healthy
Chris Sale, Reynaldo López and Max Fried, are the main reason for Atlanta’s majors-leading Starter’s ERA. Which has been complimented by a 2.94 bullpen ERA that is second in MLB and leads the National League. López is the ERA leader at 1.88 in 17 starts. Sale (13-3) leads MLB in wins, has the second-lowest ERA among NL qualifiers (2.70). Keeping these guys healthy and fresh for October will be arguably the most important part of the second half. Already losing Spencer Strider, another injury to the rotation could be catastrophic to their World Series hopes. Atlanta is committed to a six-man rotation to help Sale and López gain an extra day of rest. Don’t be surprised if Alex Anthopoulos makes a trade for an innings-eating starter at the deadline.
Finding Consistency Throughout The Lineup
It’s no secret that Atlanta’s offense has completely changed its approach this season. After having a historically great offense in 2023, replicating that success wasn’t the expectation in 2024. Regression was bound to happen, but these are no longer just slumps. The offense’s struggles can be attributed to a poor first half of the season. Outside of Marcell Ozuna and Jarred Kelenic the other seven spots in the lineup have been struggling. Austin Riley, Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies will need to search deeply and find some career averages and consistency. Many believe that this will happen, though. There has been too much of a track record for these All-Stars to continue to struggle like this.
Orlando Arcia will also need to dig deep for the second half. Arcia has been putting up some unflattering numbers at the plate this season. In theory, he won’t be able to put up worse numbers; he has the lowest WRC+ (59) among qualified hitters, as well as the lowest OBP at .244. Arcia putting up a career average at the plate in the second half would be huge for Atlanta. With no likely deal going to be made for a shortstop at the trade deadline, Arcia has to be better than a plus defender.
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