2021 Atlanta Braves season

The 2021 Atlanta Braves season was the 151st season of the Atlanta Braves franchise, the 56th season in Atlanta, and the Braves' 5th season at Truist Park. The Braves were managed by Brian Snitker, in his 6th season as the team's manager. The Braves clinched their fourth consecutive National League East title. They defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS and faced the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS for the second straight year. They defeated the Dodgers in six games to reach the World Series for the first time since 1999. They would go on to defeat the Houston Astros in six games, winning their first World Series since 1995, their second since moving to Atlanta, and their fourth in franchise history. Jorge Soler won the Most Valuable Player award in the World Series.

Offseason November On November 11, 2020, the Braves re-signed right-handed relief pitcher Josh Tomlin to a one-year, $1 million contract that includes a $1.25 million club option for 2022. On November 16, 2020, the Braves signed left-handed starting pitcher Drew Smyly to a one-year, $11 million contract. On November 24, 2020, the Braves signed right-handed starting pitcher Charlie Morton to a one-year, $15 million contract.

February On February 5, 2021, the Braves re-signed outfielder Marcell Ozuna to a four-year, $64 million contract. The contract includes a club option for a fifth year, worth $16 million, with a $1 million buyout.

Regular season The 2021 season wasn't a smooth sailing road for the Atlanta Braves. The Braves started off 0-4 and ended April with a 12–14 record. At the All-Star Break they were 44–45.Hall, A. (2022, January 3). Lessons from 2021 Braves championship run. Athletics Nation. https://www.athleticsnation.com/2022/1/3/22762098/atlanta-braves-2021-world-series-championship-oakland-as After the All-Star Break in August they started ramping it up and went 18–8. On August 8, they climbed over .500 for the first time, at 57–56, and on Aug 15. they took over first place in the NL East, ending up winning the NL East with a 88–73 record.

The team's turnaround began after July 10 when Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a season ending injury and the trade deadline approached. After the Braves' star outfielder got injured, GM Alex Anthopoulos remade his outfield by bringing in veterans Adam Duvall, Joc Pederson, Eddie Rosario, and Jorge Soler. They made a huge impact on the team with Duvall finishing the season with a National League-leading 113 RBIs (45 with the Braves); Pederson hit a game-winning home run in the NLDS against the Brewers; Rosario was the NLCS MVP; Soler was the World Series MVP.

Standings National League East

National League division leaders

Record vs. opponents

Game log

|- style="background:#fbb;" | 1 || April 1 || @ Phillies || 2–3 || Brogdon (1–0) || Jones (0–1) || — || 8,529 || 0–1 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 2 || April 3 || @ Phillies || 0–4 || Wheeler (1–0) || Morton (0–1) || — || 8,582 || 0–2 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 3 || April 4 || @ Phillies || 1–2 || Alvarado (1–0) || Martin (0–1) || Neris (1) || 10,773 || 0–3 || L3 |- style="background:#bbb;" | – || April 5 || @ Nationals || colspan=7 | Postponed (COVID-19, Makeup April 7) |- style="background:#fbb;" | 4 || April 6 || @ Nationals || 5–6 || Hudson (1–0) || Smith (0–1) || — || 4,801 || 0–4 || L4 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 5 || April 7 || @ Nationals || 7–6 || Tomlin (1–0) || Fedde (0–1) || Smith (1) || N/A || 1–4 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 6 || April 7 || @ Nationals || 2–0 || Jackson (1–0) || Rainey (0–1) || Newcomb (1) || 4,927 || 2–4 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 7 || April 9 || Phillies || 8–1 || Morton (1–1) || Wheeler (1–1) || — || 14,342 || 3–4 || W3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 8 || April 10 || Phillies || 5–4 || Newcomb (1–0) || Bradley (0–1) || Smith (2) || 14,394 || 4–4 || W4 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 9 || April 11 || Phillies || 6–7 || Alvarado (2–0) || Smith (0–2) || Neris (2) || 14,221 || 4–5 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 10 || April 12 || Marlins || 3–5 || García (1–1) || Webb (0–1) || — || 11,830 || 4–6 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 11 || April 13 || Marlins || 8–14 || Curtiss (1–0) || Fried (0–1) || — || 12,036 || 4–7 || L3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 12 || April 14 || Marlins || 5–6 || Curtiss (2–0) || Matzek (0–1) || García (2) || 12,480 || 4–8 || L4 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 13 || April 15 || Marlins || 7–6 || Minter (1–0) || Floro (0–1) || — || 11,739 || 5–8 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 14 || April 16 || @ Cubs || 5–2 || Tomlin (2–0) || Davies (1–2) || Smith (3) || 10,343 || 6–8 || W2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 15 || April 17 || @ Cubs || 4–13 || Williams (2–1) || Ynoa (0–1) || — || 10,343 || 6–9 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 16 || April 18 || @ Cubs || 13–4 || Wilson (1–0) || Hendricks (0–2) || — || 10,343 || 7–9 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 17 || April 20 || @ Yankees || 1–3 || Loáisiga (2–0) || Matzek (0–2) || Chapman (2) || 10,017 || 7–10 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 18 || April 21 || @ Yankees || 4–1 || Anderson (1–0) || Kluber (0–2) || — || 9,634 || 8–10 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 19 || April 23 || Diamondbacks || 5–4 || Ynoa (1–1) || Weaver (1–2) || Smith (4) || 19,258 || 9–10 || W2 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || April 24 || Diamondbacks || colspan=7 | (Rain, makeup date: April 25) |- style="background:#fbb;" | 20 || April 25 || Diamondbacks || 0–5 || Gallen (1–0) || Wilson (1–1) || — || N/A || 9–11 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 21 || April 25 || Diamondbacks || 0–7 || Bumgarner (2–2) || Smyly (0–1) || — || 20,693 || 9–12 || L2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 22 || April 26 || Cubs || 8–7 || Morton (2–1) || Workman (0–2) || Smith (5) || 17,956 || 10–12 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 23 || April 27 || Cubs || 5–0 || Anderson (2–0) || Williams (2–2) || — || 17,603 || 11–12 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 24 || April 28 || Cubs || 10–0 || Ynoa (2–1) || Hendricks (1–3) || — || 18,709 || 12–12 || W3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 25 || April 29 || Cubs || 3–9 || Alzolay (1–2) || Wilson (1–2) || — || 19,661 || 12–13 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 26 || April 30 || @ Blue Jays || 5–13 || Ray (1–1) || Smyly (0–2) || — || 1,629 || 12–14 || L2

|- style="background:#fbb;" | 27 || May 1 || @ Blue Jays || 5–6 || Romano (2–1) || Jones (0–2) || — || 1,634 || 12–15 || L3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 28 || May 2 || @ Blue Jays || 2–7 || Borucki (3–1) || Anderson (2–1) || Dolis (3) || 1,554 || 12–16 || L4 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 29 || May 4 || @ Nationals || 6–1 || Ynoa (3–1) || Ross (2–2) || — || 8,156 || 13–16 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 30 || May 5 || @ Nationals || 5–3 || Fried (1–1) || Fedde (2–3) || Smith (6) || 8,400 || 14–16 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 31 || May 6 || @ Nationals || 3–2 || Smyly (1–2) || Lester (0–1) || Smith (7) || 8,561 || 15–16 || W3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 32 || May 7 || Phillies || 2–12 || Eflin (2–1) || Morton (2–2) || — || 38,952 || 15–17 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 33 || May 8 || Phillies || 8–7 || Webb (1–1) || De Los Santos (0–1) || — || 39,852 || 16–17 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 34 || May 9 || Phillies || 6–1 || Ynoa (4–1) || Nola (3–2) || — || 28,829 || 17–17 || W2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 35 || May 11 || Blue Jays || 3–5 || Thornton (1–0) || Minter (1–1) || Romano (1) || 21,688 || 17–18 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 36 || May 12 || Blue Jays || 1–4 || Ryu (3–2) || Jackson (1–1) || Cole (1) || 21,171 || 17–19 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 37 || May 13 || Blue Jays || 4–8 || Bergen (1–0) || Smith (0–3) || — || 21,653 || 17–20 || L3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 38 || May 14 || @ Brewers || 6–3 || Smyly (2–2) || Houser (3–4) || — || 12,130 || 18–20 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 39 || May 15 || @ Brewers || 5–1 || Anderson (3–1) || Anderson (2–3) || — || 16,344 || 19–20 || W2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 40 || May 16 || @ Brewers || 9–10 || Peralta (4–1) || Ynoa (4–2) || Hader (9) || 16,044 || 19–21 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 41 || May 17 || Mets || 1–3 || Reid-Foley (1–0) || Fried (1–2) || Díaz (6) || 22,691 || 19–22 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 42 || May 18 || Mets || 3–4 || Familia (2–0) || Smith (0–4) || Díaz (7) || 21,667 || 19–23 || L2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 43 || May 19 || Mets || 5–4 || Smith (1–4) || Barnes (1–1) || — || 22,619 || 20–23 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 44 || May 20 || Pirates || 4–6 || Rodríguez (3–0) || Webb (1–2) || — || 21,430 || 20–24 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 45 || May 21 || Pirates || 20–1 || Anderson (4–1) || Anderson (3–4) || — || 37,545 || 21–24 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 46 || May 22 || Pirates || 6–1 || Wilson (2–2) || Keller (2–6) || — || 40,068 || 22–24 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 47 || May 23 || Pirates || 7–1 || Fried (2–2) || Brubaker (3–4) || — || 39,874 || 23–24 || W3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 48 || May 25 || @ Red Sox || 3–1 || Morton (3–2) || Richards (4–3) || Smith (8) || 9,357 || 24–24 || W4 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 49 || May 26 || @ Red Sox || 5–9 || Pivetta (6–0) || Smyly (2–3) || — || 9,197 || 24–25 || L1 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || May 28 || @ Mets || colspan=8| Postponed (Rain, Makeup: June 21) |- style="background:#fbb;" | 50 || May 29 || @ Mets || 2–13 || Walker (4–1) || Anderson (4–2) || — || 10,251 || 24–26 || L2 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || May 30 || @ Mets || colspan=8| Postponed (Rain, Makeup: July 26) |- style="background:#bfb;" | 51 || May 31 || Nationals || 5–3 || Morton (4–2) || Ross (2–5) || Smith (9) || 37,668 || 25–26 || W1

|- style="background:#fbb;" | 52 || June 1 || Nationals || 6–11 || Voth (2–0) || Fried (2–3) || — || 24,083 || 25–27 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 53 || June 2 || Nationals || 3–5 || Hudson (4–1) || Minter (1–2) || Hand (9) || 32,752 || 25–28 || L2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 54 || June 3 || Nationals || 5–1 || Tomlin (3–0) || Corbin (3–5) || — || 25,595 || 26–28 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 55 || June 4 || Dodgers || 5–9 || Urías (8–2) || Anderson (4–3) || — || 40,514 || 26–29 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 56 || June 5 || Dodgers || 6–4 || Morton (5–2) || Kershaw (7–5) || Smith (10) || 41,136 || 27–29 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 57 || June 6 || Dodgers || 4–2 || Fried (3–3) || Bauer (6–4) || Smith (11) || 39,439 || 28–29 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 58 || June 8 || @ Phillies || 9–5 || Newcomb (2–0) || Brogdon (4–2) || — || 13,125 || 29–29 || W3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 59 || June 9 || @ Phillies || 1–2 || Suárez (2–0) || Smith (1–5) || — || 13,552 || 29–30 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 60 || June 10 || @ Phillies || 3–4 || Alvarado (5–0) || Martin (0–2) || — || 14,261 || 29–31 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 61 || June 11 || @ Marlins || 3–4 || Alcántara (4–5) || Morton (5–3) || García (11) || 6,595 || 29–32 || L3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 62 || June 12 || @ Marlins || 2–4 || Thompson (1–1) || Fried (3–4) || Floro (2) || 8,158 || 29–33 || L4 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 63 || June 13 || @ Marlins || 6–4 || Smyly (3–3) || López (2–4) || Smith (12) || 8,448 || 30–33 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 64 || June 15 || Red Sox || 8–10 || Sawamura (3–0) || Martin (0–3) || Barnes (15) || 36,638 || 30–34 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 65 || June 16 || Red Sox || 8–10 || Ríos (1–0) || Greene (0–1) || Ottavino (4) || 39,847 || 30–35 || L2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 66 || June 17 || Cardinals || 4–0 || Morton (6–3) || Gant (4–5) || — || 33,412 || 31–35 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 67 || June 18 || Cardinals || 9–1 || Fried (4–4) || Martínez (3–8) || — || 40,377 || 32–35 || W2 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || June 19 || Cardinals || colspan=7 | Postponed (rain, makeup June 20) |- style="background:#fbb;" | 68 || June 20 || Cardinals || 1–9 || Wainwright (5–5) || Wilson (2–3) || — || 33,781 || 32–36 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;"