House That Hank Built
Fansided

Top Five Reasons Atlanta Braves will be ready for postseason

By Seth Carter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Max Fried #54 of the Atlanta Braves stands in the dugout before the game against the New York Mets at SunTrust Park on April 14, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Max Fried #54 of the Atlanta Braves stands in the dugout before the game against the New York Mets at SunTrust Park on April 14, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Atlanta Braves
Travis d’Arnaud #16 of the Atlanta Braves (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Braves – The Offense

It’s really incredible how good the offense has been. The bats have overcome the lack of starting pitching, with a little help from the bullpen, of course! The Braves currently lead all NL East teams in runs scored and they’ve been working without two of their best hitters as of late.

Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies are both sidelined with minor injuries. Nick Markakis made a brief and triumphant return after previously opting out of the season. He is currently on hiatus after he was exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Players we had hoped we could depend on like Austin Riley, Ender Inciarte, and Johan Camargo have all struggled. Even then, the offense is rolling.

Dansby Swanson is off to a hot start for the second straight season. Last season he finished up the first half looking like an MVP candidate. This season he’s sitting on a .301 batting average with a .456 slugging percentage and three homers.

Good Ole’ Freddie.

As usual, Freddie Freeman is the quiet, steady hand at the steering wheel. He’s hitting .292 and leads the team in walks and doubles. He’s tied for the team-lead in hits with Ozuna.

Our one-year rental and Josh Donaldson replacement is Marcell Ozuna. He leads the team with seven homers and is second to only Freddie Freeman in walks with 16 on the season. He’s been unstoppable with a .382 OBP and a .559 SLG.

Travis d’Arnaud has picked up right where he left off with the Rays last season. Injuries have always been a roadblock in the way of him reaching his potential. These past two seasons, Chase d’Arnaud’s favorite player has shown what he can do with a full opportunity and a clean bill of health.

Related Story. Podcast: Interview with Chase d'Arnaud. light

Travis has assumed the three-hole in the lineup since Acuna has been out. He has a ridiculous triple-slash line of .344/.369/.623 and plays mean defense. He calls great games and is unafraid to drop down, get dirty, and block the balls in the dirt behind the plate.

Adam Duvall is a former All-Star who smashed 42 combined (MLB and AAA) homers last season. Duvall has earned an opportunity to shine on a full-time basis this season and he’s taking full advantage. He is slashing .273/.319/.500 with four homers.

Ronald Acuna Jr., Marcell Ozuna, and Travis d’Arnaud are all in the top 8% in the league in hard-hit percentage.

Just wait until Acuna and Albies get back.

Home/Braves News