We’re seeing some rough play from the Braves lately…
Despite their solid standing, the Braves’ offense needs to improve if they want to maintain their position.
Before diving into the current issues, it’s important to note that in the National League, only four teams are currently over .500, and the Braves are one of them. It’s unlikely they’ll drop below .500, and assuming they can turn things around, they should remain a top team in the National League. Catching the Phillies and winning the division will be a tough task, but they should still be contenders in October.
That said, the Braves are playing some ugly baseball right now. They’ve struggled significantly in recent weeks, going 6-10 in their last 16 games against the Pirates, Nationals, A’s, and Red Sox, including a dismal 2-6 against Washington. This poor performance contrasts sharply with the Phillies, who have easily handled similar opponents.
The main issue is the offense, which has been underperforming. Since May 1, the Braves have a team batting line of .224/.287/.373, with a wRC+ of 87, ranking third-worst in the National League. Only four hitters have a wRC+ over 100: Marcell Ozuna at 164, Matt Olson at 123, Jarred Kelenic at 103, and Ronald Acuña Jr. at 115 before his season-ending injury. This leaves two-thirds of the lineup struggling, with notable slumps from Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II.
This offensive decline has impacted their season-wide numbers, dropping them to 13th in team wRC+ at 101. Their team slash line is now .244/.310/.401, below their usual standards.
Fortunately, the pitching staff has kept the Braves afloat, with a collective ERA- of 90 and a FIP- of 93 since May 1, placing them in the top 10. However, the offense needs to improve to complement the pitching.
Despite the struggles, it’s still early in the season. The Braves are hitting the ball hard, ranking high in Barrels per Plate Appearance, Hard Hit percentage, and average Exit Velocity. If their batted ball luck turns around, the offense should improve.
If the struggles continue into July, GM Alex Anthopoulos may seek outfield help at the trade deadline. Selling is unlikely, as the Braves aim to remain postseason contenders.
The key is for the bats to wake up and match the pitching staff’s performance. If that happens, the Braves could go on a roll and maintain their postseason aspirations. The bats need to heat up soon, though, to keep their divisional dominance streak alive since 2018.
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