Key To Atlanta Braves Pitching Success - Don’t Give Up Hits
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The Atlanta Braves' pitching staff has emerged as the dominant force in baseball through the 2026 season, leading the league in fewest hits allowed and lowest batting average against (.205), despite widespread skepticism about key starters like Grant Holmes and J.R. Ritchie. Host Jake Mastriani highlights their remarkable five-game stretch against top offenses like the Dodgers and Cubs, where they allowed just 18 hits, and credits their success to elite contact management, strong defense from players like Matt Olsen and Michael Harris, and effective bullpen management by pitching coach Jeremy Heffner and manager Walt Weiss. While acknowledging regression is likely due to their exceptionally low .248 BABIP, the Braves' defensive prowess and pitch design are seen as key factors in sustaining their success. The episode also previews the upcoming Red Sox series, where the Braves are favored due to their strong pitching and the Red Sox's struggles at the plate, and reviews league leaders in WAR, ERA, and strikeouts, spotlighting Bryce Elder’s breakout season and Chris Sale’s resurgence. The Braves are positioned as the best team in baseball, with a clear path to a strong finish in the NL East.
The Braves' pitching staff leads MLB in fewest hits allowed (285) and lowest batting average against (.205) through 43 games.
Their success stems from limiting hard contact, elite defense, and effective bullpen management, not just luck.
Bryce Elder is having a career-best season with a 1.81 ERA and 1.3 FWAR, potentially more sustainable than his 2023 breakout.
The Braves are favored against the struggling Red Sox, who are 28th in runs scored and 27th in home runs.
Chris Sale is regaining Cy Young form, posting a 1.81 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in his last five starts.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome & Club Intro
Introduction to the Locked On Braves podcast and promotion of the Everydayer Club for ad-free listening and exclusive Discord access.
Braves Pitching Dominance: The Hit Prevention Machine
“The Braves have allowed just 18 hits in the past five games against the Dodgers and Cubs—two of the top five offenses in baseball.”
Why the Pitching Success Isn’t a Fluke
“Their expected batting average of .226 is the best in baseball. So again, even the expected numbers don’t say that this is a huge outlier.”
The Catch: BABIP & Regression Warning
“You're going to see that batting average on balls in play push up from the 243 where it is now up into the 270 range just because that's generally where it falls.”
Bryce Elder & Chris Sale: The New Pillars of the Rotation
“He’s on pace right now to blow past that 1.8 F4 season that he had in 2023. But you probably would have said the same thing at the halfway mark of 2023...”
“The Braves have allowed just 18 hits in the past five games against the Dodgers and Cubs—two of the top five offenses in baseball.”
“Their expected batting average of .226 is the best in baseball. So again, even the expected numbers don’t say that this is a huge outlier.”
“This team didn’t stoop to the level of the competition. They played at the elite level they were at, and they just took care of business.”
Host
Atlanta Braves
other
Red Sox
other
Bryce Elder
person
Jake Mastriani
person
Cubs
other
Chris Sale
person
Dodgers
other
Spencer Strider
person
Matt Olsen
person
Jeremy Heffner
person
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