How They Got There: Braves never stand pat

The Braves were forced to take on different looks as they battled their way toward a fourth consecutive National League East title. They lost Marcell Ozuna when he was arrested for domestic violence in late May, and Ronald Acuña Jr. had to undergo season-ending knee surgery in mid-July.

Still, with Freddie Freeman and Austin Riley producing All-Star credentials and president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos landing a few gems at the Trade Deadline, this became a team that willed itself toward another division crown over the season’s final two months.

How they were built:

Amateur Draft: Freddie Freeman, Austin Riley, Ian Anderson, A.J. Minter, Jacob Webb

International signings: Ozzie Albies, William Contreras

Free agents: Charlie Morton, Drew Smyly, Travis d'Arnaud, Will Smith, Tyler Matzek, Jesse Chavez, Chris Martin, Ehire Adrianza

Trades: Dansby Swanson, Adam Duvall, Jorge Soler, Eddie Rosario, Joc Pederson, Rich Rodríguez, Orlando Arcia, Max Fried, Luke Jackson, Sean Newcomb, Edgar Santana, Huascar Ynoa

Waivers: Guillermo Heredia

Key acquisition:
Instead of attempting to argue whether Adam Duvall or Jorge Soler has been more valuable, it’s best to say the acquisitions of both Duvall and Soler on July 30 completely changed the season’s direction. Both have significantly enhanced the lineup’s power potential and allowed the team to compensate for the absences of Acuña and Ozuna.

Managerial decision:
Brian Snitker’s willingness to make the outside-the-box decision to place Soler in the leadoff spot seemed to strengthen the depth of this lineup. Soler isn’t a prototypical leadoff hitter, but the improved walk and strikeout rates he’s produced since joining the Braves have made him a better fit in that role. More importantly, Ozzie Albies no longer has to worry about being at the top of the lineup. Albies has been much more productive as a middle-of-the-lineup hitter.

Defining season stretch:
After losing to the Brewers on Aug. 1, the Braves were three games below .500 (52-55), and they sat five games behind the first-place Mets in the NL East. They then won 16 of their next 18 games, including nine straight from Aug. 13-22. They exited this stretch sitting atop the division standings 4 1/2 games ahead of the Phillies and six games in front of the Mets.

Breakout player:
When Austin Riley struggled during the season’s first couple weeks, some fans were calling for him to be sent down. But some of those same fans are now campaigning for the third baseman to be the NL MVP. As Riley enjoyed a 30-homer, 100-RBI season, he proved his offensive capabilities extend beyond his impressive power. The 24-year-old third baseman flourished across the board during what was his first full big league season.

Calling card:
This is a club that has three infielders who hit 30 homers this year and another (Dansby Swanson) who is just shy of notching his first career 30-homer season. The Braves also have four different outfielders who have tallied at least one 30-homer season since the start of 2019. This power supply will dictate how successful the Braves are during the postseason.

Memorable moment:
Freeman and Duvall hit eighth-inning solo homers against the Nationals to give the Braves a one-run lead that Will Smith relinquished in the ninth on Sept. 9. But the Braves claimed a 7-6, 10-inning win with Joc Pederson’s walk-off single.