Major League Baseball has implemented several controversial changes over the past few years. The addition of the DH to the National League, bringing the pitch clock up to the big league level, and bigger bases encouraging stolen bases have mostly been well received by baseball fans. However, the Atlanta Braves may be warming up to another, more controversial change.
One rule has never quite won the hearts of the majority of media and fans since it's inception back in 2023. That of course is the ghost runner rule we see in extra inning ballgames. In an effort to cut down on the marathon extra inning games that ravage a team's bullpen, MLB began placing a runner on second to begin every half inning once the game reached extras.
While fans have their own opinions on the ghost runner rule, there is no denying the success the Braves have had in them. After last night's walk-off win brought Atlanta their second extra inning win in three days, their season record in extras improved to 4-0. Surprisingly, the Braves' have been the best team in baseball since this rule was implemented. Since the ghost runner rule began to be enforced in 2023, Atlanta has a major league best record of 24-8.
Braves dominating in extra innings with uncharacteristic small ball success
For a team to succeed in the closely contested extra inning games, the bullpen has to be rock solid. Since 2023 that has been the case for the Braves, and Scott Blewett's performance last night was the latest case of that.
However, the offense still has to find a way to scratch across that clutch hit to win the game. Not too long ago Alex Anthopoulos and Brian Snitker could be heard preaching how this Braves team was built on slugging. It's the core principal of the offense, and one that is hard to hang your hat on in extra inning ballgames.
Despite that, Atlanta has found a way to play strong "small-ball" when it matters most. Before Baldwin's walk-off hit last night, Austin Riley gave Stuart Fairchild a chance to play hero by advancing the potential winning run to third base with a simple groundball to the right side. On defense, Matt Olson made a spectacular play on a failed bunt attempt to cut the lead runner down at third base. Plenty of "game-winning" plays are being made before the eventual exclamation point on an extra innings victory.
Extra innings haven't really brought out the fireworks from the Braves home run efforts since 2023. However, extra innings has brought out some really solid fundamental baseball from Atlanta; featuring timely hitting, impressive defense, and clutch pitching from numerous relievers. Should the Braves continue to find themselves in these extra inning ballgames, let's hope the results continue to be as strong as they have been since the ghost runner rule was added.