In last night’s battle between the two best teams in baseball (at least according to win/loss record) the Atlanta Braves found a way to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1, despite only having two hits. However, just as the Braves have been doing all year, they found a way to do damage even though they ran into some tough pitching last night.
Sean Murphy hit his 16th home run of the year, and propelled the Braves to the victory. The home run was also the 167th home run the Braves have hit so far in 2023, breaking the MLB record for most home runs before the All-Star break. And they still have two games to add to that total.
#Braves have 167 home runs, 28 more than any other team and the most in MLB history before the All-Star break. They're on pace for 311 homers, which would break the Twins' MLB record of 307 in 2019.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 8, 2023
Atlanta has seven players with at least 14 home runs, three of which have already gotten over twenty dingers. Matt Olson is not only pacing the club, he is pacing the entire National Leauge with 29 homers.
The Braves have an active streak of 24 consecutive games with a homer, one shy of tying the modern-era franchise record set in 1998. They are on pace to break the MLB record of 307 home runs in a season set by the 2019 Twins.
Outpacing the 2019 Twins a huge accomplishment as well, considering 2019 was the year of the juiced ball. If you need convincing, look no further than the evidence Mitch Garver produced. In 2019 Garver hit a career high 31 homers; He has 36 homers in his other six big league seasons combined.
The Braves hit home runs in bunches and each hitter in their lineup presents a threat to leave the ballpark. The first half has been historic, and some of the most enjoyable baseball to watch in my lifetime of Braves fandom. I believe if the key guys stay healthy we will witness a lot of offensive records being broken come seasons end.