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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 09: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves looks on before a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 09, 2026 in New York City. The Braves defeated the Yankees 2-1. in ten innings. (Photo by Jim McIsaac\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/p>\n
The Atlanta Braves are running away with the National League East Division.<\/p>\n
Their closest rival, the Philadelphia Phillies, have been hovering around 8 games behind the Braves.<\/p>\n
The defending World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers may have to relinquish their title to the surging Atlanta Braves.<\/p>\n
The Braves success has been the result of excellent hitting, good pitching, solid defense, and the July 27 return of Ronald Acuna Jr. from his hamstring injury.<\/p>\n
Acuna Jr. missed 38 games, and his return lengthens an already solid lineup.<\/p>\n
Acuna Jr. once again brings his power to the Braves, as indicated by MLB.com<\/a><\/p>\n PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 13: Drake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves poses for a photo during the 2026 All-Star player photoshoot at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali\/MLB Photos via Getty Images)<\/p>\n MLB Photos via Getty ImagesThe Atlanta Braves Impactful Lineup:<\/p>\n Consider that the Braves have five consequential hitters at the top of their everyday lineup.<\/p>\n –Drake Baldwin<\/a>-C-Bats Left, Age 25<\/p>\n Baldwin is among the best hitting catchers in Major League Baseball.<\/p>\n Missouristatebears.com <\/a>raved about Baldwin when he was in college.<\/p>\n An All Star this year, Baldwin is a 20* home run hitter, with a solid batting average that hovers around the .270 mark.<\/p>\n Baldwin leads off, and consistently sets the table for his teammates.<\/p>\n -Ronald Acuna Jr.-RF-Bats Right-Age 28<\/p>\n A five-time All Star, the Braves are just a different team with Acuna Jr. in the lineup.<\/p>\n A consistent home run threat, Acuna Jr. has been plagued by knee and hamstring issues that have reduced his career playing time.<\/p>\n Make no mistake, with Acuna Jr. in the lineup, the Braves are a lethal team.<\/p>\n -Matt Olson-1B-Bats Left-Age 32<\/p>\n After playing his 900th consecutive game August 9, Olson set the record for the longest active consecutive games played in MLB.<\/p>\n Olson has been on a home run tear, and much of that can be attributed to Acuna Jr. hitting in front of him, and Michael Harris Jr. hitting behind him in the powerful Braves lineup.<\/p>\n Olson could easily touch the 40 home run mark this season.<\/p>\n ATLANTA, GA – JULY 31: Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after hitting a home run in the sixth inning the game against the Washington Nationals at Truist Park on July 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr.\/Atlanta Braves\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n Getty Images<\/p>\n -Michael Harris Jr.-CF-Bats Left-Age 25<\/p>\n Not many teams boast a centerfielder with the massive tools of Michael Harris Jr.<\/p>\n Harris Jr. can hit for average (hovering around .290) hit for power, and run.<\/p>\n An excellent defensive outfielder, Harris Jr. both saves runs on defense, and creates runs on offense.<\/p>\n One of the most underrated, and undervalued players in MLB, Harris Jr. goes about his business, scoring runs and driving in runs, while hitting behind Matt Olson.<\/p>\n -Ozzie Albies-2B-Bats Both-Age 29<\/p>\n A four-time All Star, Albies is a solid clutch hitter, and a good defender at second base.<\/p>\n Albies is only 5-7, 165 pounds, but he simply makes things happen.<\/p>\n Albies is often the forgotten man among a star-studded lineup of huge names, with big reputations.<\/p>\n Albies is an excellent contact hitter, putting the bat on the ball, and driving the ball to the gaps.<\/p>\n Albies has home run power, but his speed, and ability to drive in runs are often overlooked in the Braves lineup.<\/p>\n The remainder of the usual Braves lineup, as noted by fangraphs.com<\/a> includes:<\/p>\n Mauricio Dubon-LF<\/p>\n Mike Yastrzemski- RF <\/p>\n Austin Riley-3B<\/p>\n Jim Jarvis-SS<\/p>\n The bench includes catcher Sean Murphy, first baseman Dominic Smith, infielder Ha-Seong Kim, and outfielder Lane Thomas, who just came to the Braves in a trade with the Kansas City Royals.<\/p>\n PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 13: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves speaks to the media during the 2026 National League Media Availability at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell\/MLB Photos via Getty Images)<\/p>\n MLB Photos via Getty ImagesThe Atlanta Braves Starting Rotation:<\/p>\n Injuries to several of their starting pitchers required the Braves to fill-in their rotation with a group of veterans who are capable of giving their team a chance to win on a daily basis.<\/p>\n Consider that fangraphs.com<\/a> lists starters Reynaldo Lopez (knee inflammation) Spencer Schwellenbach (arthroscopic elbow surgery) Spencer Strider (elbow inflammation) and Joey Wentz (torn knee ligament) as disabled. <\/p>\n The Braves rotation includes:<\/p>\n -Chris Sale-LHP-Age 37 (the All Star ace of the staff)<\/p>\n -Grant Holmes-RHP-Age 30<\/p>\n -Bryce Elder-RHP-Age 27<\/p>\n -Martin Perez-LHP-Age 35<\/p>\n -Tyler Mahle-RHP-Age 31 (acquired in trade from San Francisco in August)<\/p>\n