4 Reasons the Atlanta Braves Will Win the World Series in 2023

Atlanta Braves Key Trade Deadline Acquisitions

The Atlanta Braves didn't have many glaring holes at the trade deadline, but AA made a few savvy moves to reinforce an already stacked team. The Braves reinforced a struggling bullpen with Pierce Johnson from the Rockies for Victor Vodnik and Tanner Gordon. They also added Brad Hand from the Rangers for straight cash homey.

The Braves then flipped Hearns to the Royals for defensive specialist, Nicky Lopez. By the way, Lopez is making people forget about Charlie Culberson with his clutch hits in a limited role. Nicky has made a lasting impression in just a few appearances. This even includes a big role in the Braves' 21-3 victory over the Mets. Lopez went 4-6 with 5 RBI and his first dinger of the season. By the way, he pitched a clean ninth inning in that game.

Alex Anthopoulos should have earned your trust by now. His resume is written in golden ink, but nothing will surpass the work he did in 2021, en route to an unlikely World Championship. AJ Minter has since returned from the IL but Nick Anderson, Jesse Chavez, Dylan Lee, and Daysbel Hernandez are all currently on the IL.

The acquisitions only deepened the bullpen heading into the stretch. Hopefully, the Braves get healthier as they head into the postseason, but injuries happen. Should the bullpen face some unfortunate turn of events, the added arms will be a huge relief.

Atlanta Braves Record-Setting Offense

The Atlanta Braves lead the league in runs per game and are on their way to setting the single-season team home run record. Ronald Acuna Jr. is having one of the greatest offensive seasons ever and yet, Matt Olson is making a case for MVP!

The Braves have come together to put career-best seasons up. Take a look at these OPS numbers up and down the lineup.

As the Yankees broadcast team was discussing yesterday, there is simply nowhere to catch a break with this incredible Braves' lineup. Suzyn Waldman pointed possibly to Nicky Lopez but then again, since he put on the Braves uniform, Lopez has a 1.286 OPS.

Players that had a lot of uncertainty surrounding them prior to the season have stepped up and been real contributors. Marcell Ozuna looked like he was done after the first month. Since then the Big Bear has awakened from his hibernation and he is hungry. Ozuna is currently riding a 13-game hit streak for the Braves.

The offense is clicking on all cylinders and has carried this team to the best record in all of baseball. They don't appear to be slowing down any time soon.

Also Read: Top 5 Hottest Braves Bats Since All-Star Break

Atlanta Braves Bullpen

We covered the bullpen quite a bit in the acquisitions section. The bullpen got some much-needed depth but this unit has been solid all season long. The Braves' bullpen is currently fourth-best in fWAR in the MLB. They rank fourth in FIP in all of baseball and they lead the National League in ERA with a 3.47. They have the second-lowest walk rate in the National League, as well.

This relief core has been very solid. They have had outstanding performances from Jesse Chavez, who has a stellar 1.55 ERA over 29.0 IP.

Michael Tonkin has come out of nowhere to pitch a solid 3.56 ERA over 60.2 innings.
AJ Minter started slow but has surged back to his elite self with a 1.61 ERA since the beginning of June!

Nick Anderson had a stretch of two seasons where the only other pitcher you could compare him to was Josh Hader. He's dealt with injuries since then but was having a nice comeback season with Atlanta by posting a 3.06 ERA over 35.1 innings.

Newcomer Pierce Johnson has not allowed a run in 9.1 innings and has 12 strikeouts to go with it. Collin McHugh has a 3.55 ERA over 50.2 innings, and Kirby Yates has announced to the league that he is back! Joe Jimenez has a sparkling 2.72 ERA over 43.0 IP, and closer Raisel Iglesias has a 3.19 ERA with 22 saves.

This bullpen is full of experienced veterans who have been there before. So many guys have previous closing experience. There aren't a lot of situations this talented bunch hasn't already seen.

Atlanta Braves Starting Pitching

What many are pointing to as a potential weakness for the Braves as they enter the postseason could also end up being the reason they win it all. As usual in Major League Baseball, there is a lot riding on the success of the starting rotation.

Max Fried is our ace and he's healthy. Check.

I'll take Spencer Strider against any number two in the league.

Charlie Morton's curveball is still one of the best in the game. He has had stretches of instability over the past couple of years, but he still misses bats with the best of them. If he tightens things up down the stretch, he will be a force to be reckoned with. Morton is second on the team with 11 wins but also leads the team with 10 losses. This season his SO9 is down from 10.7 in '22 to 9.5 in '23. His BB/9 is up from 3.3 in '22 to 4.5 in '23.

Dating back to June 18, Morton has a 3.86 ERA with a 4.65 FIP. As inconsistent as he can seem at times, it's important to note that Morton only has two starts in which he has allowed more than four earned runs all season. He is coming off of a five-inning shutout against the Mets but alas, he walked a career-high seven hitters. He's not as good as he once was, but I'm willing to bet that in the playoffs he can be good once (every few days) as he ever was.

Kyle Wright is due to come back in September and has a chance to get ready for the postseason. Wright won 21 games last season and could be a HUGE addition to the rotation.

Finally, Bryce Elder has been struggling as of late but he's coming off of a shutout against the Yankees and still maintains a 3.46 ERA on the season. Hopefully, he got the hiccups out of the way and can settle back down for the stretch run.

This is still a very solid rotation with some elite arms at the top. With the offense this team has and the reliability out of the pen, this team is still in a great place to add another World Championship to the trophy case.