House That Hank Built
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3 compelling reasons the Atlanta Braves could win the World Series

By Clint Manry

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 31: The World Series trophy is hoisted in the air during the 2018 World Series victory parade for the Boston Red Sox on October 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 31: The World Series trophy is hoisted in the air during the 2018 World Series victory parade for the Boston Red Sox on October 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
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A few more strengths

This Atlanta Braves team is one of the few major league clubs that are strong in many areas, which to me, compliments them the most.

It’s not just one (or even two) aspect of this team that has allowed them to be successful this season… it’s a plethora of characteristics.

The Braves’ bullpen: Braves’ relievers have both been at the top and the bottom this season, as I pointed out in a write-up last week.

After a fantastic first few months of the season, the Braves’ bullpen face planted in July, becoming one of the worst units in baseball. But starting in August, they turned things around.

Now the group is trending up at just the perfect time.

Since September 1, the Braves’ bullpen has allowed a .234 average (10th-best in MLB) and has maintained a 3.93 ERA (also 10th-best), while also allowing a .407 SLG% — a tad better than their SLG% allowed for the season as a whole.

That batting average and slugging percentage improvement by Braves’ relievers is important. The last five World Series winners have combined to allow a .214 average and .364 SLG% in the postseason— a nice bar Braves’ relievers should work towards.

Regardless, the Braves’ bullpen is in much better shape than their NL East rival. The Washington Nationals are one of only five teams to ever make the Playoffs with a bullpen ERA above five, as they enter the postseason with a gaudy 5.77 ERA (we remember those days, right?).

The Braves may not have the best bullpen at the moment, but this current trend should help in their pursuit for a deep run in the Playoffs.

The Braves’ Nos. 1-4 hitters:  Would it surprise you at all if I told you that the Atlanta Braves first four hitters in the lineup are, collectively, one of the best 1-4 groups in baseball?

Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, Freddie Freeman and Josh Donaldson make up a slugging team that could single handedly carry this franchise to its fourth World Championship.

Braves’ Nos. 1-4 MLB Ranks

Stat

Rank

.278 AVG

7th

126 wRC+

3rd

.518 SLG%

5th

474 runs

2nd

149 HR

t-3rd

45% hard-hit

2nd

11.0% walk rate

4th

That right there is a solid 1-4, and a big reason why the Braves are where they are today: NL East champs.

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