Bottom of the Braves lineup has been a catalyst for 14-game win streak

The Braves trail the NL East-leading Mets by just 4.0 games. However, just a short time ago, the club was 10.5 games behind New York. That division lead has quickly evaporated thanks to Atlanta’s current 14-game win streak.

All the components of the team are working in unison. The rotation, led by All-Star hopefuls Max Fried and Kyle Wright, has been as good as ever, despite struggles from Charlie Morton and Ian Anderson. The bullpen might be the best in baseball, even without Luke Jackson and Tyler Matzek. And the lineup is as hot as ever, belting 97 homers this season — second to only the Yankees (100).

Ronald Acuna Jr., Dansby Swanson, Austin Riley, Matt Olson, and even Marcell Ozuna as of late, have been the primary catalysts of the Braves’ success. However, it is a team game, and Atlanta is getting a ton of help from the bottom of their order. Whether it’s Travis d’Arnaud or William Contreras, Atlanta’s backstops have been the best in the MLB. Adam Duvall is finally turning the corner after moving to left field. And Michael Harris has completely transformed the club’s outfield while simultaneously exceeding everyone’s expectations.

The final three spots in any order are usually reserved for the less threatening batters, but opposing pitchers have no choice but to attack every single player in the Braves lineup; there are no easy outs. Just look at these stats from Duvall, d’Arnaud, Contreras and Harris over the team’s stretch of 14 wins.

—

Adam Duvall — 42 at-bats, .261/.320/.696, 1.016 OPS, 5 HRs, 9 RBIs

Travis d’Arnaud — 28 at-bats, .321/.406/.786, 1.192 OPS, 4 HRs, 11 RBIs

William Contreras — 36 at-bats, .302/.375/.583, .958 OPS, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs

Michael Harris — 50 at-bats, .370/.404/.630, 1.033 OPS, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs

—

Nothing on the horizon shows the Braves slowing down anytime soon, and that’s not even considering the expected additions of Eddie Rosario, Kirby Yates, Collin McHugh, Mike Soroka, and Tyler Matzek. This Braves roster is heads and shoulders better than the one that won the World Series; it’s scary hours for the Mets, the NL East, and the rest of the league.

—

David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire