Is Matt Kemp's return what the Atlanta Braves need to start winning again?

Matt Kemp’s Return To The Lineup

After another loss Monday night, this time to the Seattle Mariners, the Atlanta Braves are looking for something, anything, to get back to winning ways to salvage something out of the rest of the 2017 season.

The Braves are 4-10 in their last 14 games, but it really feels like we’ve gone 1-13. Losing has occurred often recently, but could that change as we get closer and closer to the final month of the 2017 season?

Could that something be the return of left fielder Matt Kemp to the lineup? Kemp, who returned to the lineup on Saturday, but has been out of the lineup since injuring his hamstring in a game against the Washington Nationals on June 14th. Kemp started Saturday, sat Sunday and then was back in the lineup on Monday night.

Kemp has gone 1-8 since returning with a walk and one run scored. Nothing immediately impactful, but Kemp in the lineup is a good thing for the Braves.

Will Kemp’s Return Help The Braves?

Kemp was in the lineup for 74 games before the All-Star break and in those games hit .293, with a slugging percentage of .486 and an on base percentage of .340. Kemp was consistent from the plate during this time, he had 12 home runs and 40 RBI’s.

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Through the hamstring issues and getting older, he was also consistent in the field, having a fielding percentage of .992.

After the break, the 32-year-old has played in only fourteen games. He’s managed to hit just two home runs and has eight RBI’s, while hitting .278.

Kemp presence in the lineup also helps other hitters like Freddie Freeman. Pitchers can’t pitch around Freeman when they know Kemp is right behind him.

It’s been either Nick Markakis or Tyler Flowers most nights before Kemp returned…I think pitchers would have some confidence throwing to those guys. It’s a lot different when Kemp is there.

Here is the rest of the Braves series for the 2017 season…not too bad

Aug 22 – 23: Seattle Mariners

Aug 25 – 27: Colorado Rockies

Aug 28 – 30: Philadelphia Phillies (oh great)

Aug 31 – Sep 3: Chicago Cubs

Sep 4 – 6: Texas Rangers

Sep 7 – 10: Miami Marlins

Sep 12 – 14: Washington Nationals

Sep 15 – 17: New York Mets

Sep 19 – 21: Washington Nationals

Sep 22 – 24: Philadelphia Phillies (oh great)

Sep 25 – 27: New York Mets

Sep 28 – Oct 1: Miami Marlins

Something Else to Consider

Yeah, I’m going to go ahead and say this…yes, the Braves were in playoff talk a few weeks ago, but now we’re in 2018 MLB draft talk.

Here is the current list of the worst teams in the MLB

Philadelphia Phillies 45-77

Chicago White Sox 48-75

San Francisco Giants 51-76

Cincinnati Reds 53-72

Oakland A’s 54-71

Detroit Tigers 54-69

New York Mets 54-69

San Diego Padres 55-69

Atlanta Braves 55-68

Yup…another top 10 pick next year right now and in very good contention for a top 5 pick.

Back to Kemp’s Return

However, another contribution Kemp has for the Braves other than the numbers he puts up, is his veteran leadership. In his 12th season, Kemp can show the young guys in the Braves clubhouse how to win a close game. At least that’s what I keep telling myself! 🙂

Next: What happened to the Braves since All-Star break?

Although Kemp’s return does not push the Braves into the postseason, HA, his return certainly could bring some life to the clubhouse…maybe.

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Is Matt Kemp What The Atlanta Braves Need?

By Jeff Schafer | Aug 22, 2017