NEW YORK Braves first baseman Matt Olson was asked if it’s usually a good indication when he starts driving the ball the other way after he blasted an opposite-field home run in Saturday’s 4-0 victory over the Mets.
After hitting a three-run home run on Sunday to help Atlanta defeat New York 9-2, Olson was allowed to smile once more. Olson had never hit a home run in back-to-back games this season before. When he hit 54 home runs in his previous season, he did it 12 times.
Olson doesn’t need any reminders about how humble his frequently brutal job is. In 2023, the left-handed batter tied team records with 54 home runs and 139 RBIs in a single season. Only 12 players in MLB history have accomplished those totals in the same season, including him. The two most recent players to do it before last year were Ryan Howard (’06) of the Phillies and Alex Rodriguez (2007) of the Yankees.
Olson, though, has struggled mightily this year; in 104 games, he has hit.227 with 15 home runs and a.705 OPS. He appeared to make amends when, from May 26 to June 16, he played in 20 games and hit.360 with four home runs and a 1.063 OPS. But in the 35 games that have come after, he has generated an OPS of.491.
Braves third baseman Austin Riley stated, “He works harder than anybody I’ve seen on the swing.” He studies constantly in order to improve. It’s not for lack of trying. It was wonderful to witness Homers on consecutive days.
Olson’s timing couldn’t be more ideal if the last two days are any indicator of his impending breakthrough. That would be like making a midseason trade deal if they can get Matt going, according to former Braves commentator Chip Caray.
If Olson performs as predicted in the last two months of the season, it will almost definitely be more important than any improvements the Braves make before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline.
“A fresh day begins every day. The Braves manager, Brian Snitker, stated, “That’s the beauty of this game.” “There’s a chance you could start something really good that day, and the sun will rise.”
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