The Braves' offense is finally waking up, and it's a sight to behold. After a slow start, Austin Riley is hitting his stride, and his bat is showing signs of life. Riley's recent performance, including a 400-foot home run and an opposite-field double, has been a breath of fresh air for the team. But it's not just Riley who's struggling. Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II, and Mike Yastrzemski have also faced their fair share of early-season challenges. However, the Braves' overall performance has been impressive, with a 12-7 record and the highest run total in MLB. The team's success can be attributed to their ability to stay on the pitch and drive balls to the big part of the field, as Riley himself noted. The article also highlights the importance of advanced stats, such as Weighted On-base Average (wOBA) and Expected Weighted On-base Average (xwOBA), in evaluating player performance. Harris, in particular, has been a hard-luck player, with a high xwOBA despite a low wOBA. The author expresses optimism about Harris' potential for a 30-30 season, citing his improving barrel rate and hard-hit rates. Yastrzemski, on the other hand, is showing signs of improvement, with his expected stats aligning with his actual performance. The Braves' offense is a force to be reckoned with, and the return of Sean Murphy and Ha-Seong Kim from the injured list will only strengthen it further. The article concludes by emphasizing the team's depth and the excitement surrounding their potential for the upcoming weeks.
