House That Hank Built
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Comparing Atlanta Braves and LA Dodgers before trade deadline

By Jake Mastroianni

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after sliding safely into third base during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 08, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after sliding safely into third base during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 08, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 22: Charlie  Culberson #8 of the Atlanta Braves hits a RBI double against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park on June 22, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 22: Charlie  Culberson #8 of the Atlanta Braves hits a RBI double against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park on June 22, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Comparing Lineup and Bench

As we saw, these two offenses are pretty even. But when you compare them over the last month — or when Acuna was moved back to leadoff — you could argue the Braves have been better.

Even though Cody Bellinger is probably going to run away with the NL MVP this year, I’d still take Freddie Freeman over him any day.

Based on OPS, Max Muncy has been the Dodgers second best offensive player. And again, while Muncy is having the better season so far, I’d take Acuna over him every day.

The next matchup OPS-wise is between Joc Pederson and Austin Riley. These are both very similar all-or-nothing hitters, but I’ll give Joc the edge.

Justin Turner and Josh Donaldson are also very comparable, but I’ll give the edge to Turner as he seems to have that clutch gene. But Donaldson is actually having the better season offensively.

As much as I love Dansby Swanson and the season he’s having, I’d have to give the Dodgers the edge with a healthy Corey Seager.

Alex Verdugo has a slight edge over Ozzie Albies in OPS right now, but these two are practically even.

A.J. Pollock is expected to rejoin the Dodgers after the All-Star break and he’d have the edge over Nick Markakis.

Catcher is the only position where I feel the Atlanta Braves have a distinct advantage.

Bench

Both of these teams have great bench players and they ranked third (LA) and fifth (ATL) in all of baseball in pinch-hit hits.

Atlanta Braves fans know how great Charlie Culberson, Matt Joyce, and Johan Camargo have been.

But the Dodgers have David Freese, Chris Taylor, and Kike Hernandez.

This one is pretty much a wash as well.

Overall, I’d still have to give the Dodgers a slight edge here if fully healthy. But the gap is closing.

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