The Braves haven't led the division on June 7 since 2003, when their 41-19 record was tops in the MLB. The odd thing about the Braves' resurgence is that their stats aren't particularly impressive. Their .257 batting average is 18th in the Majors, and Chipper Jones, the team's best player for the last decade or so and face of the franchise, is currently on the DL and is batting only .240 -- .066 points below his career average. On top of that, rookie sensation Jason Heyward, who looked like the next Mickey Mantle early in the season, has cooled off and is batting only .266 with 10 home runs.
Instead, the resurgence has come from timely hitting, slightly above-average pitching and fielding, and, most of all, the emergence of Martin Prado and the re-establishment of Troy Glaus as one of the game's top sluggers. Despite owning only the NL's 10th best team batting average, the Braves have produced the third most runs in the league. Its .349 on-base percentage is number one in the NL, which is more a credit to patience in the batter's box moreso than raw slugging. The Braves have 40 more walks (261) than the second best NL team in that category (St. Louis), and they have the fourth fewest strikeouts.
As for Prado and Glaus, Prado's .325 BA leads the NL, and Glaus' 44 RBI is tied for first in the league, alongside St. Louis' Albert Pujols. Many consider Glaus to be the front-runner for NL Comeback POY, which is an Atlanta fans' offseason dream come true. The fact that Prado, Glaus, and Heyward have, to varying extents, panned out (especially with the struggles of Jones), has lifted the Braves to heights unseen for the last several years at this point in the season. Still, one must take into consideration the Phillies' injury situation with Jimmy Rollins missing the last 20 games or so, and their inability to manufacture runs during that span. At only two games back, it would be a surprise if the Phillies are not able to give Atlanta a serious run for its money when Rollins returns.
But for now, things are definitely looking up for Atlanta. They have a dependable lead-off hitter in Prado, an exciting up-and-comer in Heyward, a resurgent veteran in Glaus, a face of the franchise and clubhouse leader in Jones, and a proven manager in Bobby Cox. Toss in guys like Brian McCann and Eric Hinske who are batting well, along with pitchers Derek Lowe, Tim Hudson, and Tommy Hanson who have a combined record of 20-9, and you can see how the Braves are a team to watch out for in the fall.
Cox recently said the Braves still have a lot of room to improve. If they do, then Braves fans would certainly relish the chance to bid Cox a fond farewell this fall, in what could be a magical end to his final season.
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