The Atlanta Braves offense is on pace to set several franchise records this season. At this point, every time Acuna Jr. steps on the field he seems like he does something nobody has done before. While many considered Acuna Jr. the clear-cut favorite to win the MVP all year, Matt Olson is making a serious case for himself.
In yesterday's game against the Pirates, Olson reached the 40-homer mark in the third inning with a solo shot to center. With 40 homers in 113 games, Olson took the crown previously held by Andruw Jones with 40 homers through 126 games in 2005. He also tied Shoehei Ohtani for the MLB-lead in HRs.
After Spencer Strider re-set his own speed record to 200 strikeouts in a season, Olson sets the speed. Of course, Olson's is just a franchise record, while Strider set the all-time record in the history of the universe.
Olson is now one of just 13 players to ever hit 40 homers in their team's first 113 games in baseball history. His name is among some all-time greats on this list.
Olson is on pace for 57 homers and 144 RBI this season. He is tracking toward a record-setting season in both power numbers. Hack Wilson actually has the all-time record with 145 RBI set in 1894 back when the Braves were the Boston Beaneaters. Beans are high in protein and so was Hack Wilson.
In the modern era, Eddie Matthews drove in 135 in 1953. In the even more modern era, Gary Sheffield drove in 132 in 2003. Matt Olson is on pace to set the franchise's RBI mark for the modern era and challenge the prehistoric era record.
Matt also set another franchise mark on Tuesday. He became the first Braves player to have an RBI in 11 straight games, passing Freddie Freeman (2019) and Sid Gordon's (1951) record of 10-straight games.
Is Matt Olson's Pace Sustainable?
Since June 15, Olson is slugging .792 with a 1.211 OPS and a home run every 7.6 at-bats. Barry Bonds hit a homer once ever 6.5 at-bats the season he hit 73. Using the numbers since June 15 puts Matt Olson on a 162-game pace of 79 homers. He may not be able to sustain these types of numbers the rest of the way but we are truly witnessing one of the great stretches of power hitting in baseball history, not just Atlanta Braves history.
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