Many things have changed in MLB in recent years, but one thing stayed the same: the Atlanta Braves dominating the NL East.
By beating the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, the Braves have clinched the division title for the sixth straight time. Third baseman Austin Riley hit his 35th homer of the season while All-Star righty Spencer Strider struck out nine and allowed four hits en route to a 4-1 win.
The Braves are currently sitting at a 96-50 record and have 17 games in hand over the second-placed Phillies in the NL East. Atlanta’s record is the best in MLB, with only the Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays also having 90 or more wins this season.
The Braves managed to clinch their division in just 146 games, which is the second-fastest since the MLB transitioned to the divisional era. The franchise now has record-extending 26th divisional titles.
“They’re all special, and they’re all really hard,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said after the Phillies game. “You should enjoy every time you get a chance to do this. It’s like I told them, ‘Don’t forget how this feels’ because it’s a really good feeling that lets you know your hard work is for something.”
