Despite starting the season 0-7, the Braves have clawed their way back to 13-15, good for third place in the NL East.
They continued their winning ways with a victory over the Rockies last night by a score of 6-3, marking the club’s eighth win in its last 10 games, despite having some pretty poor pitching.
The rotation and bullpen have been brutal this season. Chris Sale has really struggled and Spencer Schwellenbach has been hit hard his last few outings. Grant Holmes has been a breath of fresh air at times, while A.J. Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder have left a lot to be desired.
Don’t even get me started on the relief core. Even the arms the Braves expected to lead the unit have faltered, like Raisel Iglesias. Daysbel Hernandez has been the team’s most productive reliever, along with Pierce Johnson and Aaron Bummer, but the Braves need more if they’re going to compete in October.
Still, the Braves keep winning, thanks to one of the best offenses in baseball over the last three weeks:
- 1st in SLG
- 3rd in WAR
- 3rd in AVG
- 3rd in WRC+
- 4th in HR
- 4th in OBP
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The Braves are getting the production they needed from their stars — Austin Riley, Matt Olson, Sean Murphy, Marcell Ozuna, and Michael Harris II. But what’s made the difference is the lesser known pieces stepping up. Alex Verdugo has joined the team like a man with something to prove. Eli White has come out of nowhere to solidify himself as an everyday contributor, and top prospect Drake Baldwin already looks like a budding star.
This is the Braves offense we thought we were getting to begin the season, and it will have to carry the entire team until reinforcements arrive. Spencer Strider is on the mend from a hamstring, and Ronald Acuna Jr. shouldn’t be too far behind.
Those two alone should provide immense support, but the Braves need to bolster this pitching staff at the trade deadline. The offense might be able to slug the team to a postseason berth, but they can’t do it by themselves in October.
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Photographer: Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire
