The Braves haven’t done it since 2002 and 2003. They defeated the 90-72 Philadelphia Phillies, who were in second place, by a margin of 14 games to win the 2023 National League East. The Braves defeated the Phillies 8-5 in the season series.
However, the Phillies eliminated the Braves from the postseason in the National League Division Series 3-1 for the second year in a row.
Expect the Braves to be back in October. Sometimes, October is a mystery as to what happens.
Following an 88-win season, the Braves won the World Series in 2021. Despite winning over 100 games in each of the previous two seasons, they were unable to advance to the World Series.
You get the idea.
There’s no denying that the team is stacked. Once more.
Ronald Acuna Jr., a right fielder, had the first 40-70 season in history the previous year.
That stands for 40 home runs and 70 steals. In reality, he scored 41 home runs and 73 steals. It came as no surprise when he won the title of National League Most Valuable Player.
With 149 runs scored, he also held the league lead in runs scored. Although that amount is astounding, it is not a team record. When the team was based in Boston in the 19th century, the franchise records for runs scored were set. Therefore, Acuna’s run total exceeded that of any Brave in the 20th or 21st century.
This century, he is the only National Leaguer to score 149 runs or more. The only other was Jeff Bagwell of Houston, who recorded a score of 152 in 2000.
Acuna is only 26 years old.
He is by no means the only gifted player for Atlanta. Recall that this group featured eight All-Stars in the previous season.
Acuna, Orlando Arcia, shortstop, catcher Sean Murphy, Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, third base, and pitchers Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder are the 2023 Atlanta All-Stars.
As before, there are great expectations. The pre-season power ranking serves as a helpful reminder.
The Braves are ranked #1 by MLB.com and CBS Sports.
They are ranked No. 2 by Bleacher Report.
The Braves are formidable. Last year, their 307 home runs tied a major league team record. With 54 home runs, Olson set a franchise record. Over 20 home runs were hit by seven players. Together, those seven hit 247 home runs. Los Angeles Dodgers were the only big league team with more hits (249).
The league’s best team batting average was.276.
They were 52-29 at home and 52-29 away, and they performed well every time.
These guys, especially the corner infielders, were not just gifted but also resilient. Riley played in 159 games and hit 37 home runs, while Olson participated in all 162 games. Acuna took part in 159 games as well.
They had pitching that was of the highest caliber. The pitching may be improved now. In a trade with the Red Sox, Atlanta acquired veteran left-hander Chris Sale in exchange for promising shortstop Vaughn Grissom.
Along with Max Fried, Bryce Elder, and Spencer Strider, Sale forms a strong starting lineup. Maintaining Sale’s health may be crucial. Despite turning 35 on March 30, he may pitch like an ace if he stays healthy the entire season. Sale has placed in the top six in the Cy Young voting seven times, but never having won the award.
Elder finished 12-4, Fried 8-1, and Strider 20-5 in the previous year.
Along with him comes closer Raisel Iglesias, who recorded 33 saves the previous season.
The 68-year-old manager Brian Snitker, who has led the Braves to six straight division titles, feels the same way.
Despite facing big-market teams like the Phillies and New York Mets in his division, he has a chance to win seven straight division titles.