The Atlanta Braves have dominated the MLB all season long. From star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. accomplishing the first ever 30 home run, 60 steal season, to the seven different Braves' with at least 20 home runs, the team ranks atop the league in nearly every single offensive category.
It’s actually comical how much better the Braves offense is than every other team pic.twitter.com/qSODJ58oei
— MLB Metrics (@MLBMetrics) August 24, 2023
When Orlando Arcia hit the clubs' franchise-record 250th HR on Aug. 31, it perfectly materialized what the season has become.
The Braves have hit 250 home runs this season, their most in a season in franchise history (and it is still August).
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 31, 2023
They are the 2nd-fastest team to 250 HR in a season, trailing only the 2019 Twins (129 games). pic.twitter.com/obX7GFb5VI
An offensive powerhouse with 259 HR and still 26 games to go, it's time to wonder whether the Braves can break the all-time single season mark set by the Minnesota Twins (307) in 2019.
As is, the Braves average 1.9 long balls a game, on pace for 308.5. But they may actually eclipse the record mark with a few games to go.
Here's three reasons why.
Yes, the Braves have the 14th-hardest strength of schedule the rest of the season. However, that does not consider pitching efficiency.
Going forward, the Braves have two more series' left against the Washington Nationals who have surrendered an MLB-worst 210 HR this year, a series against a St. Louis Cardinals team with the sixth-worst ERA, and a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who boast the 11th-worst ERA.
That's not even mentioning a three-game series against the Miami Marlins, a team the Braves have unleashed 30 HRs on in their 10 games this season.
Rarely do you see a team from top to bottom with such firepower and consistency. Yet that's what the Braves have.
ESPN's Jesse Rodgers pointed it out on many levels.
"Its 7-8-9 hitters lead MLB in batting average, slugging and OPS," said Rodgers.
The 7-8-9 Braves batters have combined for 50 homers. Seven hitter Eddie Rosario's OPS with RISP is 12th in the league, while Michael Harris is 14th in the MLB with an overall .290 batting average.
These three are so interchangeable in the lineup that Harris has even spent time batting second recently. Truly a testament to a dynamic offense boasting threats 1-9 in the order.
That's the number of consecutive games the Braves hit HR's in earlier this season. Since that streak ended on July 16, the Braves have gone without a HR in just three games.
The team has hit at least one HR in 14 straight, marking consistency to the highest degree. On the season, they've gone just 15 games with a home run and only four of those have come after the All-Star Game.
The Braves have hit a HR in 28 straight games, the 2nd-longest streak in MLB history (2019 Yankees, 31 straight). pic.twitter.com/ZnraWAaaUs
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 16, 2023
So, will the Braves break history?
Given all they've accomplished this season, it seems like it's only a matter of time now.
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