The Atlanta Braves are leading the NL East yet again. Nine games ahead of the Marlins, Atlanta is looking for their sixth straight division title. Their potent offense is one of the best in baseball. While injuries have plagued their rotation, unsung heroes are stepping up in a big way.

Led by their offense, players like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson have been mashing at the top of the lineup. Acuña, the leading NL MVP candidate, already has 20 home runs and 37 stolen bases. After an adjustment period last year following a block bluster trade, Matt Olson has settled in and his elite offensive numbers have returned. The first baseman boasts a .252/.356/.576 slash line, and has been selected to his second All-Star Game.

Ozzie Albies struggled to generate power and battled with injuries last year, but has hit 20 home runs before the break. Sean Murphy has been the best catcher in baseball this year, pairing his elite defense with a .949 OPS. Austin Riley and Marcell Ozuna have both been as advertised. Orlando Arcia has rounded one of the most dangerous lineups in recent memory. Not to mention, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, Michael Harris II, has gotten off to a slow start due to injuries. The Braves’ offense has overwhelmed pitching staffs in 2023.

Speaking of pitching staffs, an injury riddled rotation has led Atlanta to piece together games with a littany of arms. Max Fried and Kyle Wright are expected to be out until mid-July, and relievers Jesse Chavez and Dylan Lee are both on the shelf. The front line starters have given younger arms a chance to impress the big league club, and no one has done that better than Bryce Elder. The 24 year old leads the staff in ERA at 2.44 through 16 starts. Elder came out of nowhere to shock MLB hitters. Elder does not strike out many batters, but currently has a 84.6 left on base percentage.

Spencer Strider has not been sharp in his sophomore season, but is still striking out batters at an absurd rate. His 80 grade fastball is still dominating hitters. Strider has also mixed in his off-speed more this year to put away hitters late in counts. Charlie Morton has been a stable option in an otherwise unstable rotation, and has bounced back after a rocky 2022.

The Braves are off to a hot start yet again. They have won 16 of 17, and are firmly in control of the NL East. Atlanta is sending 8 players to the All Star Game in Seattle this year. Ronald Acuña Jr. has a stranglehold on the NL MVP race. The Atlanta Braves have the best offense in baseball, and are in prime position to add their second World Series title in three years.