The Atlanta Braves have a legitimate chance to end the 2023 regular season at 50 games above .500. To accomplish this ridiculous feat, all they have to do is sweep the 69-90 Washington Nationals. Now, this may be a little more challenging than you think because Atlanta clinched home-field advantage throughout the postseason after sweeping the Cubs on Thursday.
That sweep provided the Atlanta Braves with home-field advantage through the World Series. That is a huge boost for a team that thrives off of playing at home.
W.
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) September 29, 2023
The @Braves clinch home-field advantage throughout the 2023 postseason.#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/mGueflocdw
Atlanta will likely be resting starters in the final series of the season. Many people say this year is a bust if the Braves do not win it all but we would have to respectfully disagree.
With the absurd season the Braves have had, it is not a surprise that they are the favorites to win the World Series. However, the “regular season doesn’t matter” perspective is starting to get out of hand. Sure, a World Series Championship is the goal the team is working towards but if they fall short of that goal it does not give us an excuse to overlook history.
The 2023 Atlanta Braves have blasted over 300 home runs this season. Five players on the squad have launched 30+ themselves. Two of these five players are Matt Olson and Ronald Acuna Jr. who have made even more history of their own.
Olson has broken the Atlanta Braves franchise record for home runs and runs batted in in a single season. Ronald Acuna Jr. has done something that no one else in the history of baseball has accomplished (40 home runs and 70 stolen bases) in a regular season. The Braves record-breaking season isn't just limited to the offense.
Starting pitcher Spencer Strider is leading the NL in wins and on the heels of breaking John Smoltz’s record for strikeouts in a single season (276). Heading into his last start against the Washington Nationals, Strider is sitting at 274 strikeouts for the season.
It is time that we add a little extra value to regular season accomplishments if it is something that a franchise or Major League Baseball has never seen in their existence.
If the Braves do not win the 2023 World Series, will it be a disappointment? Yes. Would an early playoff exit overshadow all of the regular season achievements? Probably so. Should it? Absolutely not.