3 compelling reasons the Atlanta Braves could win the World Series

#2. The defense is a top-10 unit

As of Tuesday, the Braves have accrued the 7th-most defensive fWAR in the majors (4th-most in the NL), tallying 18.6 WAR. For perspective, the average team (No. 15) is the Miami Marlins, at 2.0 Def WAR.

Of the non-catchers on the Atlanta Braves roster, Ozzie Albies (4.5 Def) and Josh Donaldson (4.3 Def) have been the most productive on defense (in terms of WAR). It will be critical that both infielders continue their above-average play on defense.

Another aspect of defense that the Atlanta Braves have been elite in is catcher play. Tyler Flowers currently ranks second in the majors in Baseball Savants Runs Extra Strikes  — a pitch-framing metric that converts all strikes to runs-saved.

Flowers has 13 Runs Extra Strikes so far this season, behind only Austin Hedges from the San Diego Padres, who has 20. Brian McCann isn’t too far behind with seven.

Every pitch matters

In the postseason, every pitch carries more and more importance, both behind the plate and out on the field.

We see Flowers or McCann frame a pitch and steal a strike for a pitcher seemingly every game during the regular season, oftentimes without thinking much about it. However, in the playoffs or in a World Series, those stolen strikes could be game-changing.

The same goes for a nifty play at third by Donaldson or a diving stop by Albies on a ball hit in between first and second. These plays that have occurred numerous times throughout the year will now multiply in significance.

Fortunately, the rest of the starting nine has been just fine on defense. Nick Markakis (-0.3 Def) and Ronald Acuna Jr. (0.0) haven’t been as sharp in 2019. But with Ender Inciarte (1.5) slated to return, manager Brian Snitker will have some options in terms of putting the best defense on the field.

What hurts the Braves right now is the absence of Charlie Culberson (1.1 in RF / 0.9 in LF). Do-it-all Charlie has been a huge help both on defense and at the plate in 2019.

He’s been the best defender on the Braves’ bench this season, even better than the slick-fielding shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria (0.9).

The return of Ender and the baked-in improvements he gives the defense (Acuna can shift back to LF) will play a huge role in the Braves’ bid for a championship.