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Five Reasons Atlanta Braves Will Still Win NL East in 2021

By Seth Carter

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 28: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with Craig Kimbrel #46 after their team's win over the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on May 28, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Reds 1-0. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 28: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with Craig Kimbrel #46 after their team's win over the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on May 28, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Reds 1-0. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /
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Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

2. Keep Busting Out

The Atlanta Braves started the season with Acuna, Ozuna, and Freddie Freeman as the biggest bats in the lineup. Only one of those players remains in the lineup. This means guys that would ideally be hitting in the back-half of the lineup now find themselves in crucial positions.

The team is in dire need of them to step up. While it isn’t expected that they fill the shoes of the departed, the team needed them to step up to the plate.

Atlanta Braves Breakout: Ozzie Albies

Ever since Ozuna’s arrest, Ozzie Albies has transformed into one of the best number three hitters in the game.

Ozzie is on pace for career highs in doubles, triples, homers, steals, and is currently just 23 RBI short of his career-high 86 in 2019.

Atlanta Braves Breakout: Austin Riley

Austin Riley is in the midst of a career year. This is a fun statistic: Of his career 1.4 rWAR, 2.1 of it has come this year. 

Riley is currently hitting .279 – which is higher than any realistic expectations anyone had for him prior to the season. I heard a lot “I’d be happy if he hit .250.”

Prior to 2021, Riley had worked just 32 walks in 503 plate appearances and had a career .288 OBP.

This season, he has 37 walks (five more than his career total entering the season) in just 368 plate appearances with a magnificent .361 OBP.

His patience and hitting for average has not come at the expense of his power as he has racked up 31 extra-base hits on the season. He has 15 doubles, one triple, and 15 homers. His .473 slugging percentage is higher than he’s had in any other season.

Atlanta Braves Breakout: Dansby Swanson

Calling Dansby a breakout so far is a real stretch. He is catching fire and has the potential to reach career highs in several categories. The Braves are going to need him to stay hot if they want that fourth-straight NL East crown.

Dansby Swanson’s triple-slash line may not be the most impressive at .238/.295/.451, he has 39 extra-base hits. Dansby struggled out of the gate, hitting .189 after the first month of the season.

Since July 4, Dansby has been on a tear, slashing .326/.383/.674 with nine of his 14 hits going for extra bases, including three homers.

Swanson is currently one homer shy of his single-season high. He is on pace to blow by his career-high of 17. Dansby is on track for 29 homers this season.

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