What could prevent the Braves from making a deep playoff run in 2023?
The Atlanta Braves have been on a roll in 2023.
With August winding down, the Braves find themselves with the best record in the MLB and a 13-game lead in their division.
The Braves have the best team batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, runs, home runs and RBI.
Braves first baseman Matt Olson is tied with Los Angeles Angels' pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani for most home runs in the MLB with 43 and leads the league in RBI with 108.
Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is having an MVP-caliber season. He is third in the league in batting average, first in on-base percentage and fifth in slugging percentage.
The list of positives goes on and on, but what are the negatives? The top answer that comes to mind is the rotation. The rotation has not been terrible, but it has left a lot to be desired at times this season.
Spencer Strider has been enjoying another solid season. He is 14-4 with a 3.57 ERA, 227 strikeouts and a 1.08 WHIP.
Max Fried has been solid when healthy this season but has spent some time on the Injured List and has only pitched 47.2 innings. In those innings, he is 4-1 with a 2.83 ERA with 45 strikeouts and a 1.20 WHIP.
Charlie Morton has been up and down this season. He is 12-10 with a 3.54 ERA and 146 strikeouts and a 1.43 WHIP. Morton has struggled as of late.
Bryce Elder got off to a solid start this season but has struggled as of late. On the year he is 9-4 with a 3.46 ERA with 100 strikeouts and a 1.21 WHIP. July and August have been particularly rough for Elder whose ERA's for the two months are 5.96 and 5.51 respectively.
The fifth spot in the Braves rotation has been a revolving door this season.
The bullpen, an area that has caused problems for the Braves in the past, has been solid for the Braves this season.
If the Braves don't get the final spot in the rotation solidified and see more consistent play from the third and fourth spot, 2023 could end in another early playoff exit.
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