Right now only a few games separate four teams for the top spot in the NL East. The Braves lead the division, but can they sustain their hot start?
The Atlanta Braves were on the way to being a good team, that much has been very clear the past few years. It seems as though they might be putting it together quicker than expected, and it’s led them to an early division lead.
At 20-14 their division lead in the NL East is only a half game over the Philadelphia Phillies, but outside the Nationals who have won nine of their last 10 games, they’re the only team playing consistent baseball.
With this hot start it begs the question can the Braves keep this up? Braves fans may actually like the answer because I think they can keep this up, but they’ll probably need a little help along the way.
They’re not going to run away with the division especially with the Nationals breathing down their neck, but the talent is there to sustain this start. Offensively while some of their numbers will level off at some point in the season they’re still going to have one of the best offenses in baseball when we get to August and September.
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Right now the Braves lead baseball in batting average and on-base percentage. They’re third in stolen bases with 25 and third in team slugging. With young guys like Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna mixed with veterans like Freddie Freeman, Nick Markakis, and Ender Inciarte their offense will be just fine.
Where the Braves will need help as we get into the middle of the season is their pitching staff. Sean Newcomb has been fantastic so far this season, but they don’t have a consistent fifth starter. Plus there are some health concerns with Brandon McCarthy. The Braves will have to go out and get an arm or two for the second half of the season.