The Atlanta Braves have generated plenty of attention this year.
It is easy to see why. They have the best record and run differential in the majors, a powerhouse team that has to be considered one of the favourites for the World Series. Ronald Acuna Jr. is expected to run away with the NL MVP award and could be en route to a 40-40 season. And now, Matt Olson is starting to get some attention for his incredible run.
Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson somehow overlooked this year
Barring injury, Olson is not going to push Acuna for the MVP award. In fact, he may not even come close to finishing second due to Freddie Freeman’s impressive season. He has posted a stellar .276/.386/.621 batting line, leading the majors with 43 homers and 107 RBI. If the season were to end now, he would be the first Braves player since Hank Aaron in 1957 to lead the majors in homers and RBI. Olson also leads the NL in slugging, OPS, and total bases while playing every day.
As impressive as those numbers are, Olson has been even better since June 28. Over his past 40 games since that day, he has posted a .366/.472/.807 batting line in 178 plate appearances, belting 18 homers. Seven of those home runs have come in August despite the month only being half over. He is getting hotter as the season wears on and the Braves close in on a playoff berth.
Olson’s season could even be historic. He is on pace to hit 60 homers, becoming the first player in the NL to do so since the height of the PED Era. In any other year, Olson would be generating plenty of attention and be the front runner for the MVP award. Instead, he has somehow been overlooked.
Matt Olson has been a key part of the Atlanta Braves strong showing this season. And somehow, his performance is being overlooked.
Leave a Reply