{"id":20855,"date":"2019-06-12T15:08:28","date_gmt":"2019-06-12T19:08:28","guid":{"rendered":"lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/?p=20855"},"modified":"2019-06-12T15:08:28","modified_gmt":"2019-06-12T19:08:28","slug":"atlanta-braves-in-midst-of-power-surge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2019\/06\/12\/atlanta-braves-in-midst-of-power-surge\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlanta Braves in Midst of Power Surge"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>Atlanta Braves in Midst of Power Surge<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Much of the buzz surrounding the <a href=\"lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/mlb-teams\/atlanta-braves\/\" target=\"_self\">Atlanta Braves<\/a> for the last week has centered around the <a href=\"lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/2019\/06\/06\/dallas-keuchel-signs-atlanta-braves\/\" target=\"_self\">signing<\/a> of starting pitcher<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/keuchda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dallas Keuchel<\/a>.<\/strong> While Keuchel has been getting game-ready in the minors, the Braves find themselves in midst of a power surge. Heading into Wednesday night&#8217;s game with the <a href=\"lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/mlb-teams\/pittsburgh-pirates\/\" target=\"_self\">Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a>, the Braves are on a five-game winning streak. In those five games, they have slugged 13 home runs. In each of their last two games, they have hit five home runs.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Braves?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Braves<\/a> made some recent history with two sets of back-to-back home runs in the same inning. <\/p>\n<p>The last time it happened was on June 8, 1965. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/XDMAaSyUZV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/XDMAaSyUZV<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Braves On FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSNBraves) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FanDuelSNBraves\/status\/1138620142231859201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 12, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Power Up and Down the Lineup<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Through 67 games, the Braves have pounded 99 home runs &#8212; fifth best in the National League. Eleven different players have hit home runs for the team. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/freemfr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Freddie Freeman<\/a><\/strong> leads the way with 18 home runs and is among five players with nine or more long balls.<\/p>\n<p>In the first two games of their series with the Pirates, six different Braves have hit home runs.<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/albieoz01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ozzie Albies<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mccanbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brian McCann<\/a><\/strong>, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/markani01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nick Markakis<\/a><\/strong> each have multiple home runs in those two contests. McCann commented about the depth of the lineup after Tuesday night&#8217;s win, telling\u00a0Steve Hummer of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ajc.com\/sports\/mccann-leads-another-braves-home-run-barrage\/PEiGWV47suWALgr1zxlcnI\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Atlanta Journal-Constitution<\/a>,\u00a0&#8220;We\u2019re tough to get through on a nightly basis, from top to bottom. We showed it again tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/donaljo02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh Donaldson<\/a><\/strong> was added in the off-season and was expected to be a power-hitting presence in the middle of the lineup. Thus far, he only has nine home runs.\u00a0Several other players have stepped up and contributed, however. Less than halfway through the season, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/swansda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dansby Swanson<\/a><\/strong> has already gone deep 13 times. All of last season he only hit 14 home runs.<\/p>\n<p>Another welcome addition to the line up has been <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rileyau01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Austin Riley<\/a><\/strong>. Riley was hitting so well in Gwinnett when <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/i\/inciaen01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ender Inciarte<\/a><\/strong> was sidelined that the Braves were forced to call him up and plug him into the starting outfield. Riley has <a href=\"lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/2019\/06\/06\/austin-riley-acuna-like-enthusiasm\/\" target=\"_self\">not disappointed<\/a>. He has cooled off a bit recently but still has hit nine home runs and driven in 26 runs.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Division Battle Looms This Weekend<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The power surge comes at a good time. After a rocky start, the Braves have clawed their way into a tie with the <a href=\"lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/mlb-teams\/philadelphia-phillies\/\" target=\"_self\">Philadelphia Phillies<\/a> in the N.L. East. The rivals faced off to open the season in Philadelphia. The Braves sputtered out of the gates and were swept in the three-game series.<\/p>\n<p>The Braves roster looks drastically different than it did in late March. Saddled with injuries in the starting rotation, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wilsobr02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bryse Wilson<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wrighky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Wright<\/a><\/strong> started games two and three. After some early struggles, both young prospects are now in the minors. That doesn&#8217;t mean that the Braves&#8217; pitching staff is without questions. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gausmke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin Gausman<\/a><\/strong> has been sidelined, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/foltymi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mike Foltynewicz<\/a><\/strong> has not regained the form that led to his breakout 2018 season.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/minteaj01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A.J. Minter<\/a><\/strong> has returned after a stint in the minors and appears to have worked out his issues. He has a renewed confidence in his changeup and hopes to stabilize the Braves&#8217; shaky bullpen.<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/n\/newcose01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sean Newcomb<\/a><\/strong> has <a href=\"lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/2019\/05\/07\/sean-newcomb-encouraging-return\/\" target=\"_self\">pitched well<\/a> out of the bullpen lately but will join the rotation this weekend against the Phillies. Whether the outing is a spot start or a long term arrangement will likely hinge on how well the lefty fares this weekend.<\/p>\n<p>While the prospect-laden pitching staff works out their kinks, the Braves offense is proving to be plenty potent enough to carry the team for extended stretches. A series win this weekend at SunTrust Park would be a huge confidence builder for the young team.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo<br \/>\n<a id=\"DhDLXMrXRBZSiU-Nj5XA8w\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1148484232\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'DhDLXMrXRBZSiU-Nj5XA8w',sig:'Zfk5OfvRA7QW_PKPUb-kPggWO4JX7ye-2Fs7oXEQcsY=',w:'594px',h:'395px',items:'1148484232',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While the Atlanta Braves sort out some question marks with their pitching, a hitting power surge has led to a five-game winning streak. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2939,"featured_media":20876,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21,2,1071],"tags":[48,977,388,2185,524,488,591,206,252,1331,156,1064,298,143,453],"class_list":["post-20855","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-braves","category-featured","category-mlb","tag-atlanta-braves","tag-austin-riley","tag-brian-mccann","tag-bryse-wilson","tag-dallas-keuchel","tag-dansby-swanson","tag-ender-inciarte","tag-freddie-freeman","tag-josh-donaldson","tag-kevin-gausman","tag-los-angeles-angels","tag-mike-foltynewicz","tag-nick-markakis","tag-ozzie-albies","tag-sean-newcomb"],"modified_by":"Evan Thompson","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20855","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2939"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20855"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20855\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20876"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20855"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20855"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20855"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}