Slugging lineup powering Braves as Deadline nears

ATLANTA -- As Matt Olson and Austin Riley extended their respective bids for a career-high homer total in a 10-7 win over the Brewers at Truist Park on Friday night, the Braves were reminded that their offense is strong enough to overcome some flaws.

But even as they halted their recent struggles and improved their MLB-best record to 65-36, Atlanta was given further reason to explore various ways to improve its roster before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline.

“Everybody has faith in what [president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos] wants to do or not do,” Olson said. “We’ve got a great team in that clubhouse right now. But if something comes around, I’m sure Alex has our best interests in mind.”

Each member of Atlanta’s starting lineup recorded at least one hit, as the Braves overcame Yonny Chirinos’ mediocre audition. Chirinos allowed four runs while completing just 3 2/3 innings in his first appearance since being acquired from the Rays last week.

Riley and Olson hit back-to-back homers in the seventh inning, and Marcell Ozuna halted his recent skid with his 19th homer of the season. Olson’s National League-leading 33 homers put him just six shy of his career high, while Riley’s 23 homers put him 15 behind the highest total of his young career. But with seven homers in his past nine games, the All-Star third baseman is trending in the right direction.

Despite this being just their fourth win in their past 11 games, the Braves have a stranglehold on MLB’s best record. Still, Chirinos’ outing strengthened the argument that this club could benefit from the addition of a starting pitcher, along with other potential pieces.

Here’s a look at what Anthopoulos could target over the next few days.

Starting pitcher
The Braves had some interest in Lance Lynn, and the White Sox in turn came asking about Jared Shuster. But Chicago ended up taking a more attractive offer from the Dodgers, who also received veteran reliever Joe Kelly in the deal.

Chirinos was never viewed as the answer when the Braves claimed him after he was designated for assignment by the Rays last week. It made sense for the Braves to take a chance on him with the hope he might start regaining the successful form he had before undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2020.

Even if Chirinos doesn’t stick around for the remainder of this season, his presence expands the depth the Braves have as they sort through their various back-end rotation options.

Michael Soroka allowed two homers and five runs in 6 2/3 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett against Jacksonville on Friday night. He hasn’t regained the frontline stuff he had before he tore his right Achilles in 2020, but the Braves don’t necessarily need a front-of-the-rotation arm. They could benefit from simply adding somebody who can keep stress off the bullpen by consistently working into the sixth or deeper over the final two months of the season.

Max Fried could return to the rotation next week, and there’s a chance Kyle Wright could make a few starts in September.

With Fried, Spencer Strider, Charlie Morton and Bryce Elder, the Braves would have four solid starters. They could mix and match with what they currently have to fill the fifth spot over the final two months. Or they could opt to add a little more certainty to that role within the next few days.

What Elder does against the Brewers on Saturday could influence the level of need. But having uncertainty in two rotation spots could certainly prove detrimental to the bullpen down the stretch.

A hitter?
The Braves are on pace to hit 306 homers, which would be one shy of the MLB record. It’s hard to say this lineup needs firepower, especially if left fielder Eddie Rosario and Ozuna get hot again.

Rosario highlighted his two-hit game with a double in the three-run second inning. The veteran left fielder hit nine homers and produced a 1.115 OPS in June. But he entered Friday with just one homer and a .450 OPS in July.

Ozuna started this season very slowly, then caught fire in May and didn’t fade until July. The powerful designated hitter entered Friday 4-for-49 with one homer over his past 14 games.

Rosario’s defensive limitations could be addressed by using Kevin Pillar more frequently as a late-inning defensive replacement. If Ozuna struggles over a long period, Travis d’Arnaud is more than capable of being a productive DH.

Bullpen?
Every contender seeks bullpen help. The Braves have assistance on the way, as A.J. Minter could return from the injured list on Sunday. Dylan Lee might be just a couple weeks away. Overall, adding a reliever might fill more of a want than a need.