The Braves clearly have a formula for winning as they topped the Rockies 3-0 last night behind another gem from Chris Sale.
The eight-time All-Star went 7.0 innings with 9 strikeouts, 0 walks, 0 runs, and only 6 hits allowed. Sale is the major league leader in ERA (2.46) and strikeouts (206) and has baseball’s best record (16-3). He’s got a real chance to become a Triple Crown winner.
In his last 23 starts, he’s 15-2 with a 2.20 record and has only allowed two earned runs or fewer in 21 of the last 22 starts. Sale is well on his way to a Cy Young, the first of his career has shown the recipe for success for these 2024 Atlanta Braves — low scoring affairs by way of dominant pitching.
The Braves have the kind of pitching staff that can lead them to a World Series title, and it’s why fans should still feel a little optimistic about a potential postseason run. John Smoltz said it best, “Three hot hitters, three hot starting pitchers, and three hot relievers” is all a club needs to win a championship.
If Atlanta’s lineup can get hot at the right time, the club has a chance because this is the best Braves pitching staff in recent memory, certainly better than the one that won it in 2021.
The pitching staff ranks first in all of baseball in fWAR, FIP, xFIP, and second in ERA to the Mariners. The Braves have arguably the best pitching staff in baseball. That’s the kind of stuff that can lead them to another Commisioner’s Trophy, even if it’s unlikely.
That is if, as Smoltz says, the Braves can find three hot hitters come October. Of course, they have to get there first. They currently own the final spot in the NL Wild Card, but the Mets also won yesterday, keeping the lead at a half-game.
If the Braves get into the dance, avoid any more injuries, and can get a few bats hot at the right time, this Atlanta Braves club is a live dog in the playoffs.
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Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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