As some who read this blog know, I used to be an Atlanta Braves fan and still sometimes watch and write about them.
Now they are playing the NY Mets. Talk about failure! Out of ten starting players including the pitcher and DH the Braves have four real MLB players: Olsen, Albies, Harris, and I'll count the other two outfielders, usually White and Yastrzemski as one. Catcher Leon is hitting .077, SS Kim is around .100, $221 million Austin Riley is around .200, etc. Pitcher Spencer Strider is barely hanging on. Acuna and Drake Baldwin are out. Ronald Acuna, Jr.'s problems appear chronic; Baldwin, a main key to the lineup last played about a month ago. The Braves don't have a DH.
The interesting thing here is Atlanta is the best team in MLB, still, and has been from the start of the season. As a long-time watcher, I suggest the biggest reason for the their won-lost record is manager Walt Weiss. Sny or Sin or... Snit was a failure, or one could say, was a lap dog for the too powerful GM and other titles Alex Anthopoulos. Once oversimplified and and regarded as a genius, the Braves own real estate (and investment bankers) that includes gig workers and hangers on.
Not the most expensive, but the marquee failure is catcher/DH Sean Murphy. He is perhaps the second major reason the Braves are still in first place with 46 wins--he has not played. (He does have 14 at-bats, 6 strikeouts, and a .071 average. Last season he came out of the whirlpool or bench and hit a couple of home runs--only--so they made him a DH. The real reason is he has a ridiculous contract.
Others on the list are the aforementioned 3B and bedrock Austin Riley. SS Kim is terrible and was cut before and the Braves gave him $20M-plus. Michael Harris, another decade-long bonus baby shows up sometimes (I am am sick of his shoe modeling). Then there is the pitcher, sure he'll be a reliable starter, now in the bullpen and the ubiquitous injury complaints.
More rationally, the second/combo first reason for the Braves' success is pitching. Bryce Elder climbed up from the sewer (link) from the only man who would actually show up and pitch into an all-star. Three relievers have been lights out; Weiss has used them brilliantly--if the game is winnable they hold and save it.
The Nationals are decent; they won one of the rare series the Braves have lost this year. The Phillies have thoroughbreds and grit as always in recent years; I'd put my money on them. The Marlins are better than the Mets!
But, still, 8 1/2 games... Watch. It'll be fun and a good story. It can be cut in half in a week. Chris Sale is already showing cracks and I don't think he has produced a full season in recent years. Can Elder hang on? Grant Holmes has been a fighter; Martin Perez has been good but I cannot describe where he came from or how long it will last. Strider is up in the air. History has proven injuries (e.g., "sore shoulder") will happen, and that includes those assumed to come back (the Braves have several).
I don't know why more teams are not better. It seems most are in the same shambles the Braves are yet with poorer records.
I predict the Atlanta Braves' best record in baseball will not last. L.A. has 45 wins.
(Quick. Checks score, Mets 4 Braves 1 only in the 3rd. Soto is having a good season. The Mets' lineup doesn't have anyone under .200).
Spencer Strider. As usual or as predicted, he is "shut down" for a month. As if that is going to miraculously cure his arm, mechanics, or whatever is ailing him. Just once I would like to see a player actually explain why he is unable to play and contribute. Why doesn't he just retire.
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